Let's Talk About the Cdn Book Industry

Like many Canadians during the pandemic, I have read a TON of books (and counting!). But…how many of these books are by Canadian authors?

Why aren't Canadians reading Canadian books?

​Hi! My name is crystal fletcher. This week on all about canadian books I’m hosting a special series that examines what’s going on in the Canadian book industry (and I must confess I had no idea).

​To kick-off the series author Susan Swan is back. Susan Swan is a journalist, feminist, novelist, activist, teacher, gardener and is passionate about Canadian authors and Susan is here to discuss why Canadians aren’t reading Canadian books (and it's not because Canada does not have any talented authors).

Here's what Susan has to say about Canada's literary crisis.

To read Susan's article in Now magazine

click here!

To visit Susan's website

click here!

During our interview, I referred to the book industry having a bit of a silver lining at the end of 2020 because the Department of Canadian Heritage injected a one time $10 million into it. This program allowed independent Canadian book distributors to offer incentives to retail bookstores to increase their stocks of Canadian books. It worked. 

Canadian-authored books accounted for almost a fifth of all book sales in 2020 in independent book stores across our country. Click here, to read the report.

​Up next, Noelle Allen, owner and publisher, Wolsak and Wynn.