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.

AELAQ WELCOMES NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

The Board of the Association of English Language Publishers of Quebec is pleased to announce the appointment of Jennifer Varkonyi as its new Executive Director. She is succeeding Julia Kater who has done a superb job of coordinating the Association for the past two years.

Formerly the publisher of Maisonneuve magazine, Jennifer brings a wide range of experience and talent to the position.  The AELAQ represents and promotes Quebec publishers of English-language books, and it publishes the Montreal Review of Books three times a year. The Association is a regional affiliate of the Association of Canadian Publishers.

For information: Keith Henderson  aelaqpresident@gmail.com

_______

We’re looking for a new Executive Director

The Association of English-language Publishers 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), 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 part-time position at 25 hours per week.

Apply to: aelaqpresident@gmail.com

Deadline: August 17, 2015

AELAQ reading fund covers honoraria and travel costs for public readings across Canada

PUBLIC READINGS BY AUTHORS PUBLISHED BY MEMBERS OF THE ASSOCIATION OF ENGLISH-LANGUAGE PUBLISHERS OF QUEBEC

Funded by The Canada Council for the Arts

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

The 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
(For a downloadable version of these guidelines, please click HERE.)

Through this program, the Association of English-language Publishers of Quebec – with a grant from the Canada Council for the Arts – will issue honoraria and reimburse travel costs for public readings by writers published by members of the Association of English-language Publishers of Quebec. The normal Canada Council rates apply, with a 20% supplement due to the fact that anglophone writers in Quebec are members of an official language minority. As such, AELAQ pays the author a $300 honorarium per full (solo) reading or a $150 honorarium per half (joint) reading. We also reimburse travel expenses 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

Organizations that intend to organize four readings or more (i.e., a tour, as defined by the Canada Council) may request up to $1,400 as a contribution toward travel costs, accommodation, and per diem.

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 is responsible for the author’s accommodations and meals.
  • Readings are limited and will be funded on a first-come, first-served basis.
  • All readings must be completed by March 31, 2015.
    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 directly, after the event has taken place and upon receipt of the author’s reading report and invoice form with original itemized receipts. Under this program, we cannot reimburse any travel expenses from outside of Canada.

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, roundtable discussions, 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.
  • Writers must have published at least one eligible book with a member of the Association of English-language Publishers of Quebec. 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.
  • Literary translators are eligible provided they give a joint reading with the original writer of an eligible translated book.
  • The author, the book, and the publisher must be eligible for Canada Council funding.

A sample list of eligible authors is available HERE.

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 before applying for funding. For help contacting a Quebec author published by an AELAQ member, 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 at least THREE (3) weeks in advance of the reading date.

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

To download a PDF version of these guidelines, click here.

For more information about this program, please contact Julia Kater (admin@aelaq.org).

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