Writers Unbound

Writers Unbound Season 2

MAtv celebrates Quebec’s English-language writers and publishers in May

Following the immense success of its first season, Writers Unbound, produced by the Association of English-language Publishers of Quebec (AELAQ) in collaboration with MAtv (Videotron), returns to celebrate the vibrancy of English-language writing and publishing in Quebec. 

Writers Unbound is a series highlighting the best of Montreal’s local literary community. The second season, developed in partnership with the Quebec Writers’ Federation (QWF), pairs two writers in conversation with host Shelley Pomerance, inviting them to reflect on their work and inspiration. Each episode also includes thematic book recommendations by local booksellers Librairie Drawn & Quarterly.   

An arts journalist and host, Shelley Pomerance has been an associate programming director with Blue Metropolis International Literary Festival and was a longtime presence on CBC Radio as a host and arts reporter.

“We’re thrilled to present the programming for Season 2 of Writers Unbound,” says Rebecca West, Executive Director of AELAQ. “As the creator of the only show in Quebec with a focus on English-language writing, we’re excited to return with new interviews, updated programming, and more books to share with our viewers.”

“Despite the growing demand and dynamism of the English-language literary community, this is the first TV program of its kind dedicated to the subject. With Writers Unbound, MAtv is pleased to offer unique and much-needed content to Videotron customers, with the support  of established collaborators in the English literature sector in Quebec. For us, this is a way to showcase the work and talent of local authors,” says Steve Desgagné, Senior Director, MAtv. 

HOW TO WATCH: A new episode debuts every Tuesday night at 8:30 PM, beginning May 31st, on MAtv. Visit matv.ca for the complete schedule. 

Clients of Videotron can tune in to MAtv on channel 9 or 609 in HD. All clients of Videotron (television, Internet, mobile or illico Club) can also view MAtv live and on-demand, here. 

Each episode will be available to the general public to stream for free on matv.ca 7 days after it airs, for a period of 2 weeks.

SCHEDULE:

  • May 31 – Montreal Militants: Ariela Freedman and Merrily Weisbord
  • June 7 – Loss and Recovery: Tarah Schwartz and David Bradford
  • June 14 – To and From the Middle East: Dimitri Nasrallah and Tanya Bellehumeur-Allatt
  • June 21 – Identity and Belonging: Mariam Pal and Anita Anand
  • June 28 – Making Choices, Taking Chances: Tara McGowan-Ross and Baharan Baniahmadi
  • July 5 – Old Poems in a New Light: Jason Camlot and Gillian Sze

Writers Unbound is brought to you by the Association of English-language Publishers of Quebec (AELAQ) with our partner the Quebec Writers’ Federation, and is made possible with the generous support of MAtv.

Announcing: Writers Unbound

AELAQ is thrilled to announce Writers Unbound, a collaboration with MAtv, Videotron’s community channel. Writers Unbound is a 6-episode series featuring Montreal writers and editors published by AELAQ members, in conversation on writing, literature, and life. As an organization representing Quebec’s English-language publishing community, AELAQ is delighted to help bring engaging, inspiring conversations about literature, on and off the page, to MAtv viewers across Montreal.

Hosted by literary programmer, arts writer, and former radio presenter Shelley Pomerance, each episode of Writers Unbound features intimate interviews and conversation with two Montreal authors. We’ll also hear excerpts from each author’s work, read by a citizen reader from MAtv’s volunteer program. Plus, each week we’ll visit beloved Mile-End bookstore Drawn & Quarterly to get reading recommendations for adults and children from its dedicated and passionate booksellers.

“This is an exciting opportunity for AELAQ to bring a diversity of local writers into conversation with each other and spotlight our unique publishing landscape,” says Hillary Brenhouse, AELAQ’s Executive Director. “I’m hoping that the show will contribute to the continued expansion of our literary community, and that it’ll tip off viewers who didn’t know there was a burgeoning English-language literary community in Quebec! And, of course, it’s wonderful to hear the voices behind the books.”

With novelists, short story writers, poets, editors, nonfiction writers, and children’s authors, there’s bound to be something for every taste and interest. “The lineup of writers featured is really remarkable,” says Anna Leventhal, AELAQ’s former ED, who began planning the show in fall of 2020. “They represent a wide spectrum of genres, styles, backgrounds, and career paths, but they’re all joined by the fact that Montreal is where they live and write. Together they create a sort of prismatic view of the city and its English-language literary world. We’re excited to share it with MAtv’s viewers!”

HOW TO WATCH: A new episode debuts every Tuesday night at 8:30 PM, beginning March 2nd, on MAtv. Visit matv.ca for the complete schedule. 

Clients of Videotron can tune in to MAtv on channel 9 or 609 in HD. All clients of Videotron (television, Internet, mobile or illico Club) can also view MAtv live and on-demand, here. 

Each episode will be available to the general public to stream for free on matv.ca 7 days after it airs, for a period of 2 weeks.

SCHEDULE:

March 2 : Greg Santos and Shanice Nicole

March 9 : Kaie Kellough and Nalini Mohabir

March 16: Stéphane Martelly and Marianne Ackerman

March 23: Richard King and Samir Shaheen-Hussain

March 30: Tawhida Tanya Evanson and stephanie roberts

April 6: Nigel Thomas and Christopher DiRaddo

The Montreal Review of Books Is Seeking an Associate Editor

Update: This post is now closed. Thank you to all who applied.

Are you passionate about books, high-quality writing, and serial commas? Then we want to hear from you! The Montreal Review of Books is a journal published by the Association of English-language Publishers of Quebec, a non-profit organization that supports Quebec’s English-language book industry. The mRb reviews English-language books from Quebec, covering titles with a local author, publisher, translator, or illustrator. It comes out in print and online three times a year, with supplemental blog reviews published year-round.

We seek a dynamic Associate Editor to work with the Editor and Publisher on all aspects of the journal. The Associate Editor’s tasks include selecting books for review, commissioning reviews, and working closely with reviewers on substantive and copy editing. Other areas of focus include managing our social media presence and occasional event planning.The successful candidate will, above all, have excellent knowledge of English, proven editing skills, and familiarity with editorial standards and practices. Other essential traits include a keen eye for detail, excellent time-management skills, experience with online engagement, diplomacy, and the ability to work autonomously and as part of a team. Knowledge of the local and national literary landscape is an important asset. If you have skills in graphic design and/or web development, those will be useful as well, but are not required. This is a part-time position: 3 to 15 hours per week, with peak periods of activity that may exceed these hours leading up to publication dates (March, July, November), and occasional weeks off outside of active production periods. Remuneration for this position is $18/hour.

At present, the work of the Associate Editor is done entirely remotely. Our hope is to one day return to occasional in-person meetings and events, so we will be prioritizing candidates based in Montreal and the surrounding area. Deadline to apply: Oct 12, 2020. Interviews will take place the last week of October, and the position begins in November. Interested applicants should send a cover letter, CV, and an editing sample (i.e. a document showing your markup) as a single file to admin@mtlreviewofbooks.ca. Please don’t send links to documents that require passwords or permissions. Due to the high volume of applicants, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

AELAQ is Hiring

AELAQ is Seeking an Executive Director

Update: This post is now closed. Thank you to all who applied.

AELAQ is seeking an organized, self-motivated Executive Director (ED) to carry out our mandate of supporting English-language book publishers in Quebec. Reporting to AELAQ’s board of directors, the ED establishes the organization’s priorities, and is the primary coordinator of its activities. This is a unique opportunity to be a voice for Quebec’s English-language publishing industry, and to ensure that our members’ diverse and vibrant authors and books continue to be seen and appreciated around the province, across Canada, and beyond.

This is a permanent part-time salaried position at 25 hours/week, located in Montreal, Quebec.

About the Organization

The Association of English-language Publishers of Quebec (Association des éditeurs de langue anglaise du Québec; AELAQ) is a not-for-profit organization that advances the publication, distribution, and promotion of English-language books from Quebec. We’re a member-driven organization representing a diverse and engaged group of Quebec-based publishers, including publishers of literary fiction and poetry, scholarly works, books for kids, graphic novels, and books covering politics, history, and culture. We support our member publishers through professional development, advocacy, and marketing initiatives. AELAQ also publishes the Montreal Review of Books, a print and online journal published three times a year.

Key duties of the Executive Director include:

  • Fundraising and financial management: Grant-writing and reporting; working with the accountant and bookkeeper to ensure all financial duties and reports are done on time; setting the annual budget and project budgets; managing cash flow; seeking new funding opportunities. 
  • Governance: Reporting to and liaising with the AELAQ Board of Directors; coordinating and participating in board meetings; ensuring the organization follows its bylaws.
  • Publishing the Montreal Review of Books: Liaising with the editors, graphic designer, advertising manager, printer, distributors, and other parties; participating in editorial meetings and book selection; overseeing ad sales within Quebec.
  • Facilitating members’ professional development: Keeping up-to-date with the publishing industry; establishing members’ needs and coordinating activities such as workshops and seminars (3-5 annually) to make sure they receive the skills they require.
  • Increasing visibility of AELAQ members and the books they publish: Co-coordinating AELAQ’s annual Holiday Book Fair; representing AELAQ at book fairs and other public-facing events, including the Salon du livre de Montréal; seeking out new opportunities to raise the visibility of AELAQ members and their books.
  • Communication: Responding to queries from members and from the public on the publishing industry; maintaining and developing relationships with other local and national organizations working toward similar goals.

The ideal candidate will have:

  • A minimum of 2 years’ experience in a leadership or management position, including financial management;
  • Strong knowledge of the Quebec, Canadian, and international book-publishing landscape;
  • Strong fundraising skills with proven track record (grant-writing, other types of fundraising);
  • Experience with event coordination;
  • Familiarity with non-profit governance;
  • English/French bilingualism;
  • Ability to multitask, think independently, and initiate and execute projects.

Things that will be useful for the selected candidate:

  • Graphic design abilities;
  • Familiarity with SimplyAccounting, FreshBooks, WordPress, MailChimp, SurveyMonkey;
  • Familiarity with social media;
  • Driver’s license and vehicle.

Job Conditions:

Permanent, part-time position at 25 hours/week*, with a salary of $28,600 annually. Occasional evenings and weekends are required (a few times a year), as is occasional travel (once or twice a year). Perks include flexible hours and 4 weeks of paid vacation plus paid time off between Christmas and New Years’.

AELAQ is primarily an English-language workplace, but French fluency is key to this position, which involves being in regular contact with Francophone organizations and individuals. 

AELAQ’s office is located in downtown Montreal, in a wheelchair-accessible (as of fall 2020) Heritage building with a gender-neutral washroom. At present, the position can be done remotely for the most part, but occasional trips to the office will be required. 

*Possibility of becoming a full-time position if funding allows.

How To Apply

Please send a CV and cover letter stating your interest in and competencies for the position as a single document to admin@aelaq.org. Deadline to apply is October 19, 2020. Interviews will take place over Zoom in the first two weeks of November.  Position starts January 4, 2021 with two weeks of training.

Recognizing the structural barriers that marginalized people have faced and continue to face in the publishing industry, AELAQ welcomes applications from all qualified individuals, and encourages Indigenous people, people of colour, LGBTQI+ people, people with disabilities, and members of any other marginalized group to self‐identify if they are comfortable doing so.

What’s it like publishing in a pandemic?

Like so many sectors around the world, the COVID-19 pandemic has hit the publishing industry hard. With physical bookstores closed and launches and book tours cancelled, the effects have rippled across the landscape with devastating results. “Publishers are experiencing precarity,” says Oliver Fugler of Montreal-based Metonymy Press. “Printers in Quebec have been closed, distributors are struggling, and small presses have been falling through the cracks of available relief funding.” 

But publishers continue to find ways to make their books accessible to readers and support their authors. “Our members have responded quickly and creatively,” says Anna Leventhal, Executive Director of the Association of English-language Publishers of Quebec. “Those who do online sales are offering discounts and free shipping, and some have already begun to host online launches and readings.” “Véhicule Press is working hard to adapt to the quarantine requirements all while promoting its books and supporting its authors,” says Jennifer Varkonyi, on behalf of the independent publishing house that’s been operating since 1973. “Each member of our small team is working remotely, committed to the press and its mandate.”

Read on for details what Quebec’s English-language publishers are doing to keep books moving, including online sales, virtual author events, and more. Updated with new info as of June 2020!


Book Sales

Many AELAQ members are offering discounts on their web-stores, on books that can be delivered to your door or your e-reader:

Other great ways to get books in your hands include buying from independent bookstores, who have been doing an amazing job keeping readers supplied: 

  • This map shows independent bookstores across Canada that are doing home delivery or curbside pickup. Search your location to find a bookstore near you (with thanks to Don Gorman of Rocky Mountain Books!)
  • Les Libraires is a network of independent Quebec bookstores, and their online marketplace now includes English books
  • All Lit Up is offering free shipping anywhere in Canada for the rest of April

Events and Author Apperances

In-person launches and readings are on hold, but AELAQ members’ authors are taking to the internet to share their writing.


Find Out More

For more information, contact us.

Salon du livre #ticketgiveaway

We’re giving away two pairs of tickets to the Salon du livre de Montreal! Each ticket allows one entry to the Salon, which is November 20-25 at Place Bonaventure. Note that entrance to the Salon is free on Nov. 20th, so best to save the tickets for another date. Also note that members of the Quebec Writers’ Federation and L’UNEQ get free entry to the Salon upon presentation of your member card–but you can still enter the contest and give the tickets to friends or family!

To be entered in the draw, respond to one of our #ticketgiveaway posts on Facebook or Twitter with your favourite Quebec author. Responses will be entered into a draw. One entry per person. Only responses on the original posts from AELAQ or QWF will be counted, not comments on shares or retweets.

Contest closes Thursday Nov. 14th at 12 PM. Draw will be done at 1 PM. We will contact the winners with instructions on how to get the tickets.

Not sure what to do at the Salon? Check out the books, authors, and events being presented by AELAQ and QWF!

Job Posting: Professional Development Programming intern

NOTE: This posting is now closed. Thanks to all who applied!

Terms: 12-week internship
Dates: June-August 2019 (flexible start and end date)
Schedule:  15 hours/week
Location: Montreal, QC. Some work to be done in the AELAQ office, some can be done at home.
Language of Work: English
Remuneration: $18/hr

How to apply: Please send a cover letter and C.V. as a single attachment to admin@aelaq.org to the attention of Anna Leventhal. Deadline to receive applications: midnight Monday May 13th.

Due to the volume of applicants, only those we wish to interview will be contacted.

Because this is an internship, the position is not open to owner/operators of existing professional publishing houses, or permanent full-time staff. Individuals who have worked part-time or on a temporary basis at a publishing house may apply.

About AELAQ

The Association of English-language Publishers of Quebec (Association des éditeurs de langue anglaise du Quebec) is a not-for-profit members’ organization that advances the publication, distribution, and promotion of English-language books from Quebec. We support our member publishers through professional development seminars, advocacy, and marketing initiatives.

Position Summary:

Reporting to the Executive Director, the intern’s primary responsibility will be planning and executing the Professional Development programming for 2019-2021. The intern will also take part in day-to-day tasks and operations at AELAQ. We are a small organization, and as such, all employees–including the Professional Development intern–wear many hats.

The intern will gain valuable knowledge of the Quebec and Canadian book-publishing industry; they will leave the position with an understanding of the challenges facing publishers, as well as what publishers need in order to succeed. They will also gain a working knowledge of a non-profit professional association, and the various logistics involved in running one.

Professional Development programming duties:

  • Conducting interviews with AELAQ members (Quebec-based English-language publishers) to determine their professional development needs and priorities
  • Reporting results of these interviews to the Executive Director, and working with the ED to develop a robust series of events (6-8 events total) that will best serve AELAQ membership between Fall 2019 and Spring 2021
  • Researching, identifying, and contacting qualified experts and industry professionals to give workshops, seminars, and panel discussions that will meet the needs of the AELAQ membership
  • Booking travel and accommodation for visiting experts and industry professionals from out of town, as needed
  • Scheduling events and booking conference/seminar rooms
  • Creating and distributing invitations to events to AELAQ members, and to other key stakeholders and the general public when appropriate
  • Promoting panels/workshops/guest speakers on social media

Other duties not directly related to the professional development workshops:

  • Assisting with production of the Montreal Review of Books
  • Assisting in planning the Holiday Pop-Up Book Fair
  • Assisting in planning Get Lit! Brilliant Books from Quebec (English-language literary presence at the Salon du livre de Montreal)
  • General office upkeep and admin–this may include helping with mail-outs, minute-taking at board meetings, purchasing office supplies, and other administrative and logistical tasks.

We estimate that the intern’s duties will be split 2/3 working on the Professional Development project and 1/3 on other tasks.

Desired skills:

  • Excellent English-language communication
  • Basic knowledge of and interest in Quebec- and Canadian-owned publishing industry
  • Ability to conduct interviews with industry professionals, as well as summarize and report on results
  • Ability to gather information from many sources and present it in a clear and direct way
  • Ability to take initiative and work independently
  • Persistent and good at following up; able to accommodate the schedules of busy industry professionals
  • Comfortable with phone calls
  • Knowledge of social media best practices
  • Basic graphic design abilities
  • Basic knowledge of MailChimp, SurveyMonkey, Microsoft Office suite

Accessibility: There are two sets of stairs required to access the AELAQ office, and regrettably the building does not yet have an elevator. There is a single-stall gender-neutral washroom in the building. The AELAQ office has a scent-free policy, but can’t guarantee a total absence of scent because we are located in a public building (the Atwater library). Please contact us with other accessibility inquiries.

2018-2019 AELAQ reading fund covers honoraria and travel costs for public readings

The Roadmap Reading Fund is open to applications for events taking place between April 1st 2018 and March 31st 2019! There is one change from last year’s guidelines regarding the number of events for which a writer can receive funding–please see below for details.

Forms
2018-2019 Application Form. Please read through the guidelines and eligibility criteria below before submitting an application.

Reader’s Report/Invoice To be submitted by the participating writer after the event, along with relevant receipts. Please note, you must apply and be approved for funding BEFORE submitting your reader’s report/invoice.

Please submit your application a minimum of two weeks before the event is to take place. We do not fund events retroactively. This fund is limited and on a first-come first-served basis; funding is not guaranteed until you have received confirmation from AELAQ.


The Association of English-language Publishers of Quebec (AELAQ) is accepting applications from eligible organizations to support readings by English-language writers who have been published by AELAQ members.

This program is open to public presenters throughout Canada, including but not limited to ongoing reading series, libraries, bookstores, and literary festivals. See below for details on the program, eligibility criteria, and application procedure.

ABOUT THE PROGRAM

Through this program, the Association of English-language Publishers of Quebec – with a grant from the Canada Council for the Arts – will reimburse honoraria and travel costs (transport only, does not include per diem or accommodation) for public readings by English-language  writers published by members of the Association of English-language Publishers of Quebec. Eligible AELAQ publishers include: Baraka Books, DC Books, Drawn & Quarterly, Linda Leith Publishing, McGill-Queen’s University Press, Metatron, Longbridge Books, and Véhicule Press.

This program is open to international events!
Readings taking place in Quebec must feature eligible English-language Canadian authors from outside the province, but eligible English-language authors
from any Canadian province or territory may be featured at readings taking place outside of Canada.

AELAQ will pay the author a $300 honorarium per full (solo) reading or a $150 honorarium per half (joint) reading if they are not receiving an honorarium from the host venue.

For international travel: AELAQ will cover up to $1320 in travel expenses for up to three full readings or six half-readings. Authors can receive funding for one international trip per program year (April 1st-March 31st). If funding allows, this restriction may be lifted in December 2018.

**New in 2018-2019: AELAQ will fund a total of 5 individual events per eligible author per program year (April 1st-March 31st). If funding allows, this restriction may be lifted in December 2018.

For travel within Canada:

For up to three full readings per trip: For up to six half readings per trip:
First reading: $480 First two readings: $360
Second reading: $480 Second two readings: $360
Third reading: $360 Third two readings: $240
Total maximum covered: $1,320 Total maximum covered: $960

For destinations located above the 55th parallel and remote parts of the country, organizations can ask for doubled travel amounts with a written and detailed justification of related costs.

  • The host organization must contribute to the cost of the author’s travel, accommodations, and/or meals.
  • All readings must be applied for and take place by March 31, 2019. 

 ELIGIBILITY

Host organizations/Venues/Formats: To be eligible for funding, the reading(s) must be held in a publicly accessible venue (library, bookstore, festival location, etc.) and advertised to the community at large.

This program cannot fund conferences, workshops, fundraising events, or book prizes. This program also cannot fund readings for which honoraria and travel costs are funded by another Canada Council program.

Eligible Authors/Books: 

  • Invited writers must be Canadian citizens or permanent residents of Canada.
  • Readings hosted outside of the province of Quebec must feature Quebec-based writers. For readings taking place in Quebec, featured writers may be from any province or territory in Canada.
  • Writers must have published at least one eligible book with a member of the Association of English-language Publishers of Quebec (see ‘About the Program’ for list of members). An eligible book is one that the writer has written in one or more of the following literary genres: novels, short stories, poetry, drama, children’s and young adults’ literature, graphic novels, or literary non-fiction.
  • The author, the book, and the publisher must be eligible for Canada Council funding.
  • The author must be an English-language writer.

Ineligible Authors:

  • Authors whose publications include only self-published books or works in anthologies, literary magazines, web publications, community newspapers, free or student newsletters, or newsletters of associations or other organizations.
  • Authors who sit on the board of AELAQ for the period during which the host organization has applied for funding.
  • Authors who are administrators, directors, or volunteers with the host organization.
  • Authors who fill a professorial position at a post-secondary institution serving as a host organization.

HOW TO APPLY

The host organization must contact and arrange a date with an author or their publisher before applying for funding. For help contacting an author or publisher, write to admin@aelaq.org.

Once an author and date have been secured, download and complete the AELAQ Roadmap Reading Fund – application form 2018-19 and submit it to AELAQ.

The completed form must be received by March 31st, 2019, for events taking place before that date. For events after that date, please contact admin@aelaq.org.

Once your application has been approved, confirmation letters will be sent to both the host venue and author. NO FUNDING IS CONFIRMED UNTIL THE HOST HAS RECEIVED A BOOKING CONFIRMATION FORM FROM AELAQ.

Host organizations must send copies of advertisements and promotional materials by email to admin@aelaq.org  as soon as they become available. All publicity materials must acknowledge the financial assistance of the Canada Council for the Arts through the Association of English-language Publishers of Quebec and must feature both organizations’ logos.

Please note: The Association of English-language Publishers of Quebec (AELAQ) does not reimburse reading fees and travel expenses to hosts or festival organizations. AELAQ will reimburse authors and/or publishers directly, after the event has taken place and upon receipt of the author’s reading report and invoice form(s) with original itemized receipts.

For more information about this program, please write to admin@aelaq.org  or call 514-932-5633.

Welcome to Phoenicia Publishing and Black Rose Books!

AELAQ is pleased to welcome two new members to the association: Phoenicia Publishing and Black Rose Books.

Phoenicia Publishing is interested in words and images that illuminate culture, spirit, and the human experience. They are a small, independent, International publisher based in Montreal, publishing book-length poetry, creative non-fiction, fiction, music, photography and art.

Black Rose Books has been in operation since 1970, publishing an array of books on political, social, environmental, philosophical, and historical themes.

We are proud to add these two publishers to our growing organization.

Montreal Review of Books seeks Associate Editor

Are you passionate about books, high-quality writing, and serial commas? Then we want to hear from you! Join the team putting together the only journal reviewing English-language books from Quebec.

The Montreal Review of Books, published three times a year by AELAQ, seeks an experienced and dynamic Associate Editor to work with the Editor and Publisher on all aspects of the journal. The Associate Editor participates primarily in selecting books for review, commissioning reviews, and working closely with reviewers on substantive and copy editing. Other areas of focus include social media and website development, event planning, and distribution.

The successful candidate will, above all, have excellent knowledge of English, proven editing skills, and familiarity with editorial standards and practices. Other essential traits include a keen eye for detail, excellent time management skills, experience with online engagement, diplomacy, and the ability to work autonomously and as part of a team. Knowledge of the local and national literary landscape is an important asset.

This is a part-time position; 3 to 15 hours per week, with peak periods of activity that may exceed these hours leading up to publication dates (July, November, March), and occasional weeks off outside of active production periods. The majority of work can be done at home, with obligatory meetings taking place a few times a year. Remuneration for this position is $17.50/hour.

Deadline to apply: April 24

Interested applicants should send cover letter, resume, and editing samples to admin@mtlreviewofbooks.ca Only those selected for an interview will be contacted.