Province Committed to Long-term Growth of Publishing Sector

A redesigned support program will soon make it easier for book publishers in Nova Scotia to grow and expand.

The program, developed cooperatively by the Department of Tourism, Culture and Heritage and Nova Scotia's 14 book publishers, will support the long-term growth of the publishing sector.

"The province has a long history of supporting Nova Scotia's book publishers," said Rodney MacDonald, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Heritage. "We are now strengthening this support by providing publishers with the flexibility to continue developing the local market, while expanding into new markets."

Since the redesigned provincial program is more closely aligned with the federal government's book publishing program, it streamlines the funding application process for publishers. It also provides greater support to publishers who publish Nova Scotia authors, broadens the range of products that can be published, and provides assistance to emerging publishers.

To support these enhancements, the province is providing an additional $50,000 in funding for the program -- an increase of 58 per cent in the annual funding it already provides.

"We look forward to working with book publishers under this newly developed program," said Mr. MacDonald. "We're also pleased to offer additional funding to strengthen the long-term sustainable growth of this important sector."

The program, which will be evaluated in conjunction with book publishers at the end of one year, will receive a total of $136,000 from the province this year.