Hello, BPAA members and colleagues, 

Our biweekly newsletter is now being sent through Zeffy! Please add the following email to your safe contacts list to prevent the newsletter from being sent to your junk folder: contact@early.mailer.zeffy.com. 

Last week, we had an amazing professional development webinar on values-aligned business practices with Chelene Knight. If you were unable to attend, you can access the recording for 30 days; please email our office for the link. Upcoming, we have two webinars with Francine Cunningham from the Canada Council’s Alberta Focus Initiative. She will be sharing what grant opportunities are available to Alberta publishers. Registration will be open until Tuesday, February 24, 2026. 

I am looking forward to the Read Alberta Book Blast tomorrow. We have 8 members registered who will be pitching their new books to the 38 library staff in attendance. We launched this initiative in 2025 and have received lots of positive feedback from librarians who appreciate the opportunity to learn about new titles published in the province. It’s also a great opportunity for publishers and librarians to connect and strengthen relationships.

Earlier this week, invitations were sent to potential jurors for our awards program. A big thank you to the many jurors who will read dozens of books over the next several months to help us select the very best in Alberta book publishing. 

A friendly reminder that the submission deadline for the awards program is Friday, February 27, 2026, and the deadline for Alberta Books for Schools is Thursday, March 12, 2026. If you have not submitted yet, please do so soon. 

I hope you all are staying safe on the icy sidewalks! 

All the best, 

Megan Bishop
Executive Director

Please note: The BPAA offices will be closed Monday, February 16 for Family Day long weekend. We will reopen on Tuesday, February 17.

The BPAA is pleased to announce the upcoming PD sessions, Funding Opportunities with Canada Council for the Arts, presented by Francine Cunningham, consultant with Canada Council. To address the unique needs of our members, we have two sessions scheduled, and you are encouraged to register for the one you feel is most appropriate, based on your previous CCA funding. 

• Wednesday, February 25 at 1:00 pm MT – Non-Core Grant Funded Publishers (REGISTER)
• Wednesday, March 4 at 1:00 pm MT – Core Grant Funded Publishers (REGISTER)

If you plan on attending, please register by 4:30 PM MT on Tuesday, February 24, 2026.

In each session, Canada Council for the Arts Alberta Focus Initiative Artist Liaison Consultant Francine Cunningham will discuss what opportunities are available through CCA, as well as ways to make your application stand out, and more detail on peer assessment committees. Sessions will include time for Q&A. The CCA’s Alberta Focus Initiative is a two-year commitment that aims to strengthen engagement and collaboration with Alberta’s vibrant arts community.

This event is free and limited to members of the BPAA. 

The Book Publishers Association of Alberta (BPAA) is accepting submissions for the 2026 Alberta Book Publishing Awards. The BPAA welcomes submissions from all Alberta-owned and -controlled publishers. Nominated books must have been published between January 1, 2025 and December 31, 2025. The submission deadline is Friday, February 27, 2026. For more information on the submission process and eligibility, please visit the Alberta Book Publishing Awards webpage. 

The winners of the 2026 Alberta Book Publishing Awards will be celebrated at a gala scheduled for Thursday, September 17, 2026, in Edmonton at the Matrix Hotel. 

Download a PDF copy of the media release

• Congratulations to University of Alberta Press for their title, That Audible Slippage, winning the 2025 Nelson Ball Award!
• Save the date for the University of Alberta Press' annual poetry event, Literary Editions, on Tuesday, April 28, 2026 from 5:00 pm to 6:30 pm MT.

• Join Durvile & UpRoute for their upcoming book launch events:

  • Music of the Earth’s Heartbeat: Blackfoot Legacy Vol. 2 – Tuesday, March 31, 2026 at Memorial Park Library in Calgary.

  • The Headache Files: True Tales and Real Relief – Thursday, May 14, 2026 at Owl's Nest Bookstore in Calgary.

  • See-Me Street: My Indigenous Homeless Journey – Thursday, June 11, 2026 at Central Library in Calgary.

• Check out this book review of BWL's Barclay Bear by the Society for International Hockey Research.

Please share your award announcements, interviews, and other big news with us so that we can feature it in future newsletters!

Please note: The Book Publishers Association of Alberta staff are working from home on Mondays and Fridays, with in-person office hours Tuesday–Thursday.

• Inanna Publications and Education Inc. is hiring an Editorial & Production Assistant (Indigenous Candidate required). The deadline to apply is Saturday, February 21, 2026. 
• Orca Book Publishers is hiring a Sales Associate. The deadline to apply is Wednesday, February 25, 2026.
• Second Story Press is hiring a Marketing Coordinator. The deadline to apply is Friday, February, 27, 2026.
• Hancock House Publishers is hiring an Associate Publisher.

The Canada Council for the Arts is inviting feedback on proposed changes to the Governor General’s Literary Awards (GGBooks) program. Those interested are encouraged to share their thoughts through this survey. Given feedback will help to navigate future submissions to the awards.

Feedback must be submitted by February 13, 2026.

The Canada Council for the Arts also invites you to share your input on their next strategic plan. They are holding four interactive live online sessions, two in English and two in French. These live sessions are designed to gather input from as many people as possible. You will be invited to answer both open-ended and closed questions during the session using an interactive digital tool. You can choose the date and time that works best for you:

• English Session 1: Friday, February 23, 2026, from 9 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. (MST)
• English Session 2: Monday, March 2, 2026, from 9 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. (MST)
• French Session 1: Friday, February 27, 2026 from 11 p.m. to 12:30 p.m. (MST)
• French Session 2: Wednesday, March 4, 2026 from 11 p.m. to 12:30 p.m. (MST)

Learn more and sign up for one of these sessions on the Canada Council for the Arts website.

Join the Edmonton Arts Council for an information session intended for applicants who are preparing their application for the Individuals & Collectives March 2 grant deadline.

During the drop-in Question & Answer session, applicants will be able to ask specific questions pertaining to their project and about how best to represent their work through the application process.

In-Person Q&A session
Wednesday, February 18, 2026
1:30 – 3:30 pm
Prince of Wales Armouries (10440 108 Avenue, Edmonton, AB)

If you missed the past online information sessions about the upcoming Individuals & Collectives grants, you can still view the recorded sessions on the EAC YouTube channel. 

Livres Canada Books is planning a trade mission to South Korea in Seoul in order to evaluate this market’s potential for Canadian publishers.  

The delegation will consist of up to 10 Canadian book publishing representatives who reflect the diversity of the book industry. Delegates will meet with selected South Korean publishers and potential partners in conjunction with the Seoul International Book Fair (June 24–28, 2026). 

To be eligible for this trade mission, the applicant must submit an application under the 2026–2027 Foreign Rights Marketing Assistance Program (FRMAP) and must be confirmed eligible for this program. 

Download the guidelines and application form from the Livres Canada Books website.

The deadline to apply is Thursday, February 19, 2026.

For more information or to submit your completed application, please email Gabrielle Etcheverry, Deputy Executive Director. 

Nominations are open for the 2026 St. Albert Poet Laureate. The Poet Laureate is an honorary position with a term of two years. During that term, the Laureate will be recognized as a cultural and literary ambassador, act as a champion for poetry, language, and the arts, and represent St. Albert as Laureate during readings at civic functions and public poetry events.

The Poet Laureate Committee welcomes nominations of all poets who live, work, or play in St. Albert and are over the age of 16. Please review the Selection Criteria and complete the Nomination Form on the St. Alberta Public Library website.

The deadline to nominate an individual is 11:59 pm on Sunday, February 22, 2026.

The Annual Public Meeting (APM) of the Canada Council for the Arts will take place at 2:00 p.m. (MDT) on Wednesday, March 25, 2026.

The event will include a question-and-answer period. If you would like to send your question in advance, please email the Canada Council for the Arts before Monday, February 23, 2026. 

The APM will be accessible for live in-person and remote participation in English, French, ASL and LSQ. Additional event information and registration details for in-person and online participation will follow in the coming weeks.

When it comes to exporting, it’s important to know that intellectual property (IP) protections vary from country to country. Join an expert from the Canadian Intellectual Property Office (CIPO) on Tuesday, February 24, 2026, to find out how to recognize, register and enforce your IP rights in different countries around the world, in a 90-minute session tailored to the creative industries.

The CIPO will be hosting an English and French session:

• Register for the English session at 11:30 am MST
• Register for the French session at 8:00 am MST

The Embassy of France in Canada is inviting Canadian publishers to apply for supported participation in the Paris Book Market, taking place June 4–5, 2026. This event is the only international and professional publishing market in France, bringing together French publishers and global rights professionals for two days of business-to-business meetings.

For the 2026 event, the French Embassy will fund the travel, accommodation, and per diem costs for one selected publisher. Interested publishers must submit the following by Friday, February 27, 2026: 

• A CV
• A brief description of the publishing house
• A letter showing interest in professional meetings

Applications and further questions may be submitted to Charline Petetin. Unsuccessful applicants may still register to attend at their own expense.

Alberta Culture Days returns from September 1–30, 2026, offering a month‑long celebration of arts, heritage, cultural diversity and community spirit across the province. Showcase your community’s creativity, highlight local talent and connect with fellow Albertans.

Apply now for an Alberta Culture Days grant to highlight your organization, build partnerships and host free events, whether it is a single activity or a multi-day celebration.

Eligible organizations can apply for up to $10,000 in funding to host Alberta Culture Days events. Applications close Sunday, March 15, 2026, at midnight.

Applicants can choose from three funding options:

• Feature Celebration Site: up to $10,000
• Host Celebration Site: up to $5,000
• Pop Up Celebration Site: up to $1,000

Find more information on the Alberta Culture Days website.

The Canadian Independent Booksellers Association (CIBA) is now seeking nominations from booksellers for The Booksellers' List summer and fall 2026 editions. Please note: there is no formal requirement for publishers to ‘submit’ books for consideration in order to be selected for the list. The more publishers champion their titles and create buzz via their sales and marketing channels, the more they increase the likelihood of receiving bookseller votes!

Key info:

• To be eligible for the Summer list, books must be published between June 30 and August 31, 2026.
• To be eligible for the Fall list, books must be published between September 1 and November 30, 2026.
• Please ensure that you have ARCs available for review if possible.
• Books must be suitable for an adult audience.
• The top 20 titles, as nominated by CIBA member booksellers, will be included on the list.
• One lead title will be selected (and will receive additional promotion).

The deadline for summer nominations is Monday, May 4, 2026, and the winner list will be announced to the public on June 30, 2026. The deadline for fall nominations is Monday, July 6, 2026, and the winner list will be announced to the public on September 1, 2026

For more information on how to participate as a publisher, view the Guidelines for Publishers. 

February 12, 2026: BPC Webinar: FUND-A-PALOOZA! Practical Strategic Grant Planning

February 18, 2026: EAC Drop-in Q&A Information Session on grants for individuals & collectives

February 23, 2026: Canada Council For the Arts Strategic Plan Engagement Session (English)

February 23, 2026: CCI Webinar: Progress on Collective Licensing for AI

February 24, 2026: Canadian Intellectual Property Office Webinar: Protecting and preparing your intellectual property for international markets
February 25, 2026: Funding Opportunities with Canada Council for the Arts (Non-Core Grant Funded Publishers)

February 26, 2026: BPC Webinar: Book Censorship in Alberta
March 4, 2026: Funding Opportunities with Canada Council for the Arts (Core Grant Funded Publishers)
March 10–12, 2026: The London Book Fair

March 25, 2026: Canada Council for the Arts Annual Public Meeting
March 26–29, 2026: 2026 Brussels Book Fair

March 31, 2026: Durvile & UpRoute Book Launch Event: Music of the Earth’s Heartbeat: Blackfoot Legacy Vol. 2 
April 13–16, 2026: The 2026 Bologna Children’s Book Fair
April 25, 2026: Canadian Independent Bookstore Day

April 28, 2026: University of Alberta Press Literary Editions (save the date)

May 14, 2026: Durvile & UpRoute Book Launch Event: The Headache Files: True Tales and Real Relief 
May 14–16, 2026: IBPA Publishing University

June 4–5, 2026: Paris Book Market

June 11, 2026: Durvile & UpRoute Book Launch Event: See-Me Street: My Indigenous Homeless Journey 

June 22–26, 2026: 2026 Seoul International Book Fair
August 6–9, 2026: 40th IBBY World Congress

September 1–30, 2026: Alberta Culture Days
September 16–17, 2026: 2026 BPAA Annual Conference and AGM
September 17, 2026: 2026 Alberta Book Publishing Awards

February 13, 2026: Indigenous Voices Awards
February 13, 2026: Giller Prize (Books published between October 1, 2025, and February 28, 2026)
February 13, 2026: 2026 Next Generation Indie Book Awards 
February 15, 2026: Access Copyright Foundation Marian Hebb Research Grants
February 27, 2026: 2026 Alberta Book Publishing Awards
February 27, 2026: Cundill History Prize
March 2, 2026: Grants for Individuals & Collectives (Edmonton Arts Council)

March 15, 2026: Alberta Culture Days Grant

March 18, 2026: Nancy Flight Writers’ Trust Prize for Nonfiction Editing
April 1, 2026: Access Copyright Foundation PD Grants
April 17, 2026: Giller Prize (Books published between March 1, 2026, and April 30, 2026)
May 1, 2026: Governor General’s Literary Awards (For books published between July 1, 2025 to April 30, 2026)

May 4, 2026: Nominations for the Summer CIBA The Booksellers’ List Closes

May 6, 2026: Project Grant Program – Organizations (Calgary Arts Development)

May 13, 2026: Nancy Flight Writers’ Trust Prize for Nonfiction Editing
June 1, 2026: Project grants for Organizations (Edmonton Arts Council)
June 19, 2026: Giller Prize (Books published between May 1, 2026, and June 30, 2026)

July 6, 2026: Nominations for the Fall CIBA The Booksellers’ List Closes

July 8, 2026: Nancy Flight Writers’ Trust Prize for Nonfiction Editing
August 14, 2026: Giller Prize (Books published between July 1, 2026, and September 30, 2026)
September 1, 2026: Grants for Individuals & Collectives (Edmonton Arts Council)

October 7, 2026: Professional Arts Organizations Operating Grant Program (Calgary Arts Development)
November 1, 2026: Access Copyright Foundation Events Grants
Ongoing: Alberta Export Expansion Program (Government of Alberta)
Ongoing: Canada Digital Adoption Program
Ongoing: Representation and Promotion (Canada Council for the Arts)
Ongoing: Sector Support, Innovation and Development (Canada Council for the Arts)
Ongoing: Student Work Placement Program (Cultural Human Resources Council)
Ongoing: Micro-grants (Canada Council for the Arts)

1. Smeg - Diane Wishart (Rising Action) *

2. Cantaloupe and HoneyDo Take the Bus - Mike Boldt (Dial Books) *

3. Common Goal - Rachel Reid (Carina Press) 

4. On the Calculation of Volume (Book I) - Solvej Balle, trans. Barbara J. Haveland (New Directions)

5. Autobiography of Cotton - Cristina Rivera Garza, trans. Christina MacSweeney (Graywolf Press)

6. Pick a Colour - Souvankham Thammavongsa (Knopf Canada)

7. Apparently, Sir Cameron Needs to Die - Greer Stothers (Titan Books) 

8. Vigil - George Saunders (Random House) 

9. Persona - Aoife Josie Clements (LittlePuss Press) 

10. Beaver Hills Forever - Conor Kerr (Arsenal Pulp Press) *

1. kiskisomitok ᑭᐢᑭᓱᒥᑐᐠ - reuben quinn (Talonbooks) *

2. Women Thriving in Leadership - Dr. Kathy Toogood (self-published) *

3. Strong Ground - Brene Brown (Random House)

4. On Wholeness - Quill Christie-Peters (House of Anansi Press)

5. Black Bear - Trina Moyles (Knopf Canada) *

6. The Certainty Illusion - Timothy Caulfield (Penguin Canada) *

7. Sourdough Infinity - Emily Hoven (Anstruther x Hedon) * +

8. Sharing the Light - Monique Gray Smith (House of Anansi Press)

9. The Work of Our Hands - Adrian Sutherland (Viking) 

10. One Day, Everyone Will Have Always Been Against This - Omar El Akkad (McClelland & Stewart)

1. What Kind of Daughter? - Rayanne Haines (Frontenac House) * +

2. Devotions - Mary Oliver (Penguin)

3. Stock - Jennifer Bowering Delisle (Coach House Books) *

4. Routine Maintenance - Marco Melfi (Gaspereau Press) *

5. Waiting in the Land of the Living - Medgine Mathurin (Polyglot) * +

6. Crohnic - Jason Purcell (Arsenal Pulp Press) *

7. Loves of Our Lives - Josie Balka (Simon & Schuster) *

8. Sincerely, Sincerely, - Rayanne Haines and Carolyne Van Der Meer (Agatha Press) * +

9. Closer to Closure - Drew Walker (Wild Skies Press) * +

10. A Fate Worse Than Death - Nisha Patel (Arsenal Pulp Press) *

1. The Little Grizzly Who Walked Like a Boss - Victoria Tudor, illus. Natalia Logvanova (self-published)

2. The Four Spent the Day Together - Chris Kraus (Scribner) 

3. Atmosphere - Taylor Jenkins Reid (Doubleday Canada)

4. The Correspondent - Virginia Evans (Crown)

5. The Banshee - Geoff Sowrey (self-published) *

6. The Shade Tree - Theresa Shea (Guernica Editions) *

7. Is This a Cry for Help? - Emily Austin (Scribner Canada)

8. Dungeon Crawler Carl - Matt Dinniman (Ace)

9. The Black Wolf - Louise Penny (Minotaur Books)

10. Pope Joan - Donna Woolfolk Cross (Crown)

1. Health for All - Jane Philpott (Signal)

2. Calgary’s Best Walks 3rd edition Guidebook - Lori Beattie (self-published) *

3. After Kathy Acker - Chris Kraus (Semiotext(e)) 

4. The Art Thief - Michael Finkel (Vintage Canada)

5. Every Moment Is a Life - ed. Susan Abulhawa (Atria/One Signal Publishers)

6. Mother Mary Comes to Me - Arundhati Roy (Scribner Canada)

7. The Wager - David Grann (Doubleday)

8. Black Bear - Trina Moyles (Knopf Canada) *

9. I Wish I'd Quit Sooner - Laura Hambley Lovett (She Writes Press) *

10. One Day, Everyone Will Have Always Been Against This - Omar El Akkad (McClelland & Stewart)

* Alberta Author  + Alberta Publisher
Calgary Bestseller List Week Ending 2026-02-05

Thank you to Shelf Life Books and Owl's Nest Books for providing sales data.

PA urges 'responsible AI deployment' over government's Meta and Anthropic collaboration (The Bookseller)

Readers just want good stories, regardless of character’s gender (Cornell Chronicle)

"If there's a book that you want to read, but it hasn't been written yet, then you must write it."

— Toni Morrison

Copyright © 2025 Book Publishers Association of Alberta, All rights reserved.

The Book Publishers Association of Alberta is grateful for the support of our funders:
City of Edmonton | Edmonton Arts Council | City of Calgary | Calgary Arts Development | Canada Council for the Arts | Department of Canadian Heritage | Government of Alberta | Arts, Culture, and Status of Women | Access Copyright Foundation