We’re celebrating here at AELAQ HQ, as our member publisher Véhicule Press‘s title The Goddess of Fireflies (translated by Neil Smith) has just been named a finalist for the Governor-General’s Award in Translation. Congratulations to all the nominees across all categories! We’ll be watching for the announcement of the winners on October 25th.
AELAQ welcomes new members Metonymy Press and Longbridge Books
The AELAQ is very pleased to welcome two new member publishers to the association, Metonymy Press and Longbridge Books. Check their websites to find out more about the books published by these newest additions to the AELAQ roster.
About Metonymy:
Metonymy Press publishes literary fiction and nonfiction by emerging writers. We try to reduce barriers to publishing for authors whose perspectives are underrepresented in order to produce quality materials relevant to queer, feminist, and social justice communities. We really want to keep gay book lovers satisfied.
About Longbridge:
Launched in 2008, Longbridge Books is a publishing house whose mandate is to promote works of fiction and nonfiction that convey Canada’s multicultural character.
Life in the Court of Matane featured title at Paragraphe Bookstore
Life in the Court of Matane is this month’s featured title at Paragraphe Bookstore. Published by our member publisher Baraka Books’ imprint QC Fiction, the novel is a translation of Eric Dupont’s Bestiaire. Read an interview with its translator Peter McCambridge in issue #50 of the mRb, and head down to your local bookstore to check it out.
AELAQ welcomes new Executive Director
The AELAQ is pleased to welcome Anna Leventhal as its new Executive Director. Anna will be succeeding Jennifer Varkonyi, who served as ED in 2015-2016. We thank Jennifer for her commitment to the organization, and wish her all the best in her new endeavours.
As a writer, Anna has a profound understanding of the local publishing industry and its needs. She has also done extensive work with nonprofits and community organizations, including CKUT 90.3 FM, Projet MOBILIVRE/BOOKMOBILE Project, and the Quebec Writers’ Federation. We welcome Anna to the AELAQ.
Congrats to Metatron and Drawn & Quarterly!
It’s been an exciting week for two of our member publishers at AELAQ.
First, Drawn & Quarterly authors swept the prestigious Will Eisner Awards at San Diego’s international comic-con. From D+Q:
D+Q authors were nominated in five categories and swept all five of them, with wins for Kate Beaton, Shigeru Mizuki, Jillian Tamaki, and Adrian Tomine! Beaton became the first solo female cartoonist to win in the humor category. In addition, two of our legendary and defining authors, Lynda Barry and Tove Jansson were inducted into the Will Eisner Hall of Fame. The range of authors lauded this weekend reveal the diversity of the D+Q line. We in the office are still starry-eyed with delight at the many honours that have been lavished upon our authors this Comic-Con season.
Second, Metatron got a wonderful feature on the CBC Arts page. From the piece:
As the company’s influence grows, Opheim says they are currently exploring methods to put initiatives for diversity into place. “I want to work much harder towards making Metatron a diverse and dynamic press that represents the underrepresented voices in our culture, as those are the voices I’m personally most moved by and curious to read. With that said, I don’t want to use diversity as a ‘boasting’ point. I want us to just do it, and not need to proclaim or be praised for it.”
Congratulations to these two amazing publishers.
We’re hiring a new Executive Director
The Association of English-language Publishers of Quebec seeks a well-organized Executive Director with strong people skills. The Executive Director is responsible for establishing and executing major goals and objectives for the organization as created and approved by The Board. Responsibilities include member services, website updates, relations with government funding bodies, bookkeeping (Simply Accounting), corporate governance, office administration, and co-ordination of a major publication.
To be successful in this role you will need to be bilingual and have excellent planning and budgeting skills, written and verbal communication skills, and the ability to work as part of a team. Familiarity with office software programs is required. This is a salaried position, 25 hours per week.
Please submit a cover letter and resume to admin@aelaq.org by June 29, 2016.
2016-2017 AELAQ reading fund covers honoraria and travel costs for public readings
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 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 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. We will reimburse 100% of the travel expenses incurred for international readings, and we will reimburse travel expenses within Canada up to the following maximums:
| 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 by March 31, 2017
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 onlyself-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 2016-17 and submit it to AELAQ.
The completed form must be received by March 31st, 2017.
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.
How Literary Festivals Work: Programming Demystified for Writers and Publishers
The Association of English-language Publishers of Quebec (AELAQ) presents:
How Literary Festivals Work: Programming Demystified for Writers and Publishers
Sponsored by The Literary Press Group of Canada
Free, February 19, 2016, 4 p.m. Auditorium, Atwater Library, 1200 Atwater Avenue, Westmount, QC, H3X 1X4
Festival appearances can boost a writer’s profile, but to successfully pitch an author, writers and publishers need to understand a literary festival’s programming priorities. Rarely, though, are there opportunities for writers and publishers to discuss festival planning with decision makers.
In this exclusive panel discussion, Vancouver Writers Fest Artistic Director Hal Wake and Blue Metropolis Director of Programming Gregory McCormick will outline what makes a modern, thriving literary festival, and how authors and book publishers fit into their programming. Moderated by Montreal-based writer and editor Christopher DiRaddo, the panelists will discuss their vision as literary festival directors, and also provide tips for how authors can maximize their chances of being invited.
All are welcome. Please RSVP to admin[at]aelaq.org by February 15, 2016.
2015 Holiday Pop-Up Book Fair
Save the date November 27 – 28 2015 and come to the HOLIDAY POP-UP BOOK FAIR in the auditorium of the Atwater Library (1200 Atwater, second floor)!
Presented by the Association of English-Language Publishers of Quebec and the Atwater Writers Exhibition of the Atwater Library and Computer Centre.
Sponsored by the Montreal Gazette.
Festive Fair Launch, sponsored by Penguin Random House – Shop for books, meet local writers and publishers, enjoy wine and festive treats Friday, Nov. 27, 5-8 p.m.
Browse All Day – Chat with Montreal publishers and writers Saturday, Nov. 28, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
More than 25 participating publishers will be represented, including AELAQ member publishers Baraka Books, DC Books, Howard Gontovnick, Linda Leith Publishing, Metatron, MQUP, Nan-Pat-Vic and Véhicule Press, and more than 50 local authors will make appearances!
Shop for books for everyone on your list – there will be fiction, non-fiction, poetry, books for kids, award-winners, bestsellers and more!
And, just for stopping by, you can enter to win a fabulous gift bag of books!
Give the gift of a book from here!
Don’t miss it!
2015-2016 AELAQ reading fund covers honoraria and travel costs for public readings
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 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 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. We will reimburse 100% of the travel expenses incurred for international readings, and we will reimburse travel expenses within Canada up to the following maximums:
| 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 by March 31, 2016
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 onlyself-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 application form and submit it to AELAQ.
The completed application form must be received by March 31st, 2016.
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.