Starting a Small Publishing Company in Canada
Love of Publishing, Hard Work, Eye for Good Literature Needed
Sep 24, 2009
Quattro Books was formed in 2006 by four Toronto-based writers, three poets Allan Briesmaster, Beatriz Hausner, Luciano Iacobelli and John Calabro, a prose writer, who came to the realization that there was a need to publish writers whose background, experience, subject matter, was not given voice by mainstream publishers.
Quattro Books has published19 books focusing on poetry and the novella – it calls itself the "Home of the Novella". To foster interest in novella writing Quattro Books has started the Ken Klonsky Novella Award. The winner gets their book published as part of Quattro's catalogue.
"We started off as an offshoot of a reading series called WordStage which featured a lot of great writers and poets who were having a hard time getting published," explains John Calabro. "We decided to start Quattro Books to fill that need."
Tightrope Books
"Tightrope Books was started because I wanted to publish books I believed in and had ideas about aspects that could be handled differently especially about the imperative to aggressively market newly published works," says founder Halli Villegas who previously worked with other publishing houses.
Tightrope Books was founded in 2005 by Publisher Halli Villegas and to date has published 26 books and over 150 authors across several genres that include literary fiction, poetry, poetry and short story collections, horror/fantasy, young adult and academic non-fiction.
Starting a Book Publishing Company
Starting up a book publishing company involves many of the same steps for starting any other small business. You need to register your name, obtain a tax number and all the rest.
"Have a focus and plan in place about what type books you want to publish," advises Villegas.
The start up costs are the responsibility of the founder(s). Initial funds most often come from their own pockets or from friends and supporters. You may consider taking out a bank loan but don't hold your breath.
"It's important to have the funds on hand to publish your line up of books," adds Calabro.
Grants for Publishers
In Canada grants are available for emerging publishers only after they have existed at least three years. Grants are available from Heritage Canada and the Canada Council for the Arts. Each province and major municipalities may also have arts council or foundations that provide funding for publishers.
Publishing Process
The publishing process begins with the selection of a writer's manuscripts and then involves:
- Literary edit
- Copy edit
- Typographical layout
- Cover design/edit
- Printing/binding
- Sales/distribution to bookstores
- Promotion
Promotion of a new book is very important as it informs readers about the recently published work. At a minimum this involves sending review copies to daily newspapers and literary magazines. A review in a prominent publication always helps. Reading tours and book signings are an excellent ways of showcasing a writer before a live audience. In addition to bookstores literary readings are another way of selling books.
"A real joy is discovering and publishing amazing new writers and seeing readers appreciate their talents." says Calabro.
"Making connections with young, new writers and seeing their works published and thriving makes being a publisher really enjoyable," says Villegas.
The challenge for both Tightrope Books and Quattro Books will be to continue finding excellent writers and drumming up enough money to fund the publication of new works.
In the end the driving force behind both publishing companies is bringing their readers fresh, innovative, edgy literature and the hope that enough readers enjoy the stories or poems enough to purchase copies and bring in the funds to keep them publishing more books tomorrow.
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