The book industry news continues to haunt us. Right on the heels of the Key Porter

They're damned right!
Canadians need many voices telling the Canadian story. And this can only be done through Canadian publishers. It's that simple. Or maybe, that complex. There are many issues at play here. But it all boils down to money, doesn't it? Canada is a country of fewer numbers than the U.S., and that of course means fewer readers, fewer book buyers. The Canadian publishing industry faces similar costs in the production of its books and probably higher distribution prices. It's a combination that results in the constant struggle On top of this, to allow the foreign investment balance to change would be a blow to many more small publishers.
We have a Canadian Booksellers Association and a Canadian Publisher's Association working hard to keep the industry vital. Perhaps what we need is a Canadian Reader's Association!
This group would lobby government on behalf of publishers for a more reasonable share of funding; would lobby publishers to broaden the number of Canadian authors on their lists (I'm talking quality writing here, not a numbers game); support

We have some amazing Canadian mystery and crime writers who might possibly hit the bestseller lists if more readers overcame their ill-founded disdain of genre fiction and of Canadian writing in general.
You all know this -- you're already spreading the word. But perhaps a Canadian Readers Association could take it further. What do you think?
Linda Wiken/Erika Chase
I think this is an idea whose time has come! Brilliant.
ReplyDeleteMJ
Great idea - maybe we need a blog and could start by posting notices of its existence in libraries?
ReplyDeleteNicely put. Canada has a phenomally large talent pool of fantastic mystery writers.
ReplyDeleteI'd definitely join a Canadian Readers association.
FYI, you might be interested to learn about the National Reading Campaign (still relatively young) - http://nationalreadingcampaign.ca/ - which seems to be working towards getting more people reading.
Agreed, MJ. Like your idea, Joan...ponder, ponder.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Mark. I wasn't aware of it.