We’re back! SaskBooks is pleased to invite you to its Annual Conference, running from June 23rd to June 24th 2022, with a special new twist: being together! SaskBooks is pleased to announce that the 2022 Annual Conference will be offered in-person and virtually so that Saskatchewan’s book publishing community can come together like never before. The sessions are as follows:
Thursday, June 23rd
10 AM – 12 PM: SaskBooks AGM (SaskBooks Members only)
1 PM – 2 PM: Industry Updates with Creative Saskatchewan, Friesens, Houghton Boston
2:30 PM – 3:30 PM: Accessible Image Descriptions with NNELS
4:30 PM – 9:00 PM: Stakeholders’ Dinner & Private Tour of Radical Stitch at the Mackenzie Art Gallery
Friday, June 24th
9 AM – 10 AM: Breakfast
10 AM – 11 AM: Industry Updates with Festival of Words, SK Arts, Saskatchewan Book Awards
11:30 AM – 12:30 PM: Library Acquisitions with RPL, SPL, Archer Library
12:30 PM – 1:30 PM: Lunch
1:30 PM – 2:30 PM: Distribution with LitDistCo/Books in Hand
3 PM – 4 PM: Membership Meeting Plenary (SaskBooks Members Only)
Registration is $100 for SaskBooks members (and members of other provincial publishing associations) and $125 for non-members. Registration is only open until June 13th, so sign up early!
For information on session descriptions, COVID-19 protocols, travel/accommodation subsidies, and more, keep reading below or download the registration package here.
To register, visit: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/348187406907
We can’t wait to welcome you back!
Welcome Back!: SaskBooks Annual Conference
June 23rd & 24th, 2022
Room 232, 2155 College Ave (College Avenue Campus), Regina, SK
Sessions
Thursday, June 23rd
10 AM – 12 PM: SaskBooks AGM (SaskBooks Members only)
Stretch those civic muscles and participate in SaskBooks’ Annual General Meeting. Open to SaskBooks members only.
1 PM – 2 PM: Industry Updates Part One: Creative Saskatchewan, Friesens, Houghton Boston
Featuring: Andrea Martineau (Creative Saskatchewan), Donovan Bergman (Friesens), Peter Tang (Houghton Boston)
Learn what our partners in the book publishing industry have been undertaking over the past year, some of the challenges they’ve faced, and the exciting plans they have for the upcoming year.
2:30 PM – 3:30 PM: Accessible Image Descriptions with NNELS
Featuring: Leah Brochu (NNELS)
Accessible image descriptions are key tools in the lifespan of every book, from editorial to production to marketing. Learn how to incorporate accessible image descriptions into your workflow, how they can impact the discoverability of your titles, and other best practices and expert tips for book covers to illustrations to charts, maps, and more.
4:30 PM – 9:30 PM: Stakeholders’ Dinner & Private Tour of Radical Stitch at the Mackenzie Art Gallery
Join us for dinner at the Willow (3000 Wascana Drive) followed by a private tour of the Radical Stitch exhibition at Mackenzie Art Gallery. The works in Radical Stitch invite viewers to immerse themselves in the political, creative, and aesthetic dimensions of beadwork. This event will be in-person only.
Friday, June 24th
10 AM – 11 AM: Industry Updates Part Two: SK Arts, Saskatchewan Book Awards
Featuring: Joanne Gerber (SK Arts), Donna Woloshyn (Saskatchewan Book Awards), Amanda Farnel (Moose Jaw Festival of Words)
So nice we’re doing it twice! Learn what more of our partners in the book publishing industry have been undertaking over the past year, some of the challenges they’ve faced, and the exciting plans they have for the upcoming year.
11:30 AM – 12:30 PM: Library Acquisitions with RPL, SPL, Archer Library
Featuring: Geoffrey Allen (Regina Public Library), Stevie Horn (Saskatoon Public Library), Michael Shires (Archer Library)
Libraries help readers discover new titles, connect authors and publishers with the book-loving public, and preserve community stories for future generations. Learn how a variety of library models, including public circulation, special collections, and academic libraries, discover new books and get them on their shelves.
1:30 PM – 2:30 PM: Distribution with LitDistCo / Books in Hand
Featuring: Leila Bovee-Begun (LitDistCo)
Using a distributor can help your titles reach booksellers and readers across Canada and internationally– without having to set up a consignment account with each and every one. Learn about LitDistCo and Books in Hand, how book distributors operate, and the kinds of services they provide.
3 PM – 4 PM: Membership Meeting & Plenary (SaskBooks Members only)
Come reflect on what you’ve learned during the conference, share your successes and challenges during the past year, and shape SaskBooks’ path for the year ahead. Open to SaskBooks members only.
Presenter Bios
Amanda Farnel (Festival of Words)
The Saskatchewan Festival of Words (established in 1996) is an annual literary festival on the third weekend in July, with more than 50 events over 4 days, in and around historic downtown Moose Jaw. Amanda Farnel is the Operations Co-ordinator.
Andrea Martineau (Creative Saskatchewan)
Creative Saskatchewan is the funding agency serving Saskatchewan’s creative industries, including book publishing. Andrea Martineau is a Program Officer and works closely with Saskatchewan book publishers.
Donna Woloshyn (Saskatchewan Book Awards)
The Saskatchewan Book Awards (SBA) recognizes, celebrates and rewards the excellence of Saskatchewan authors and publishers. Donna Woloshyn is the SBA Board Chair.
Donovan Bergman (Friesens)
Friesens Corporation is one of North America’s premier book, yearbook and packaging manufacturers. Donovan Bergman is the sales rep for Friesens’ Central region.
Geoffrey Allen (Regina Public Library)
The Regina Public Library serves the City of Regina and provides opportunities for discovery and learning in an inclusive, customer-centred, and safe environment. Geoffrey Allen is the Director of Collections.
Joanne Gerber (SK Arts)
SK Arts (formerly known as the Saskatchewan Arts Board) provides grants, programs, and services to individuals and groups whose activities have an impact on the arts in Saskatchewan and ensures that opportunities exist for Saskatchewan residents to experience all art forms. Joanne Gerber is a Program Consultant.
Leah Brochu (NNELS)
The National Network for Equitable Library Service (NNELS) works with international partners, libraries, readers, and publishers to make copies of books in accessible formats available to readers in Canada who have print disabilities. Leah Brochu is the Accessible Publishing & Resources Coordinator.
Leila Bovee-Begun (LitDistCo)
LitDistCo is a book distribution collective of literary book publishers which serves members of the Literary Press Group; Books in Hand is an imprint of LitDistco and serves publishers of all genres. Leila Bovee-Begun is the General Manager.
Michael Shires (Archer Library)
The Dr. John Archer Library and Archives is the library housed in and associated with the University of Regina. Michael Shires is the Collection Development Librarian.
Peter Tang (Houghton Boston)
Houghton Boston Printers is the largest commercial printer in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. Peter is the General Manager.
Stevie Horn (Saskatoon Public Library)
The Saskatoon Public Library serves the City of Saskatoon and works to change lives through community connections, engagement and inclusivity. Stevie Horn is the Special Collections Librarian at Frances Morrison Central Library.
Registration
Participation is available both in-person and virtually via Zoom. Please ensure to indicate whether you will be attending in-person or virtually when you register. Switching formats after ticket purchase may not be possible.
SaskBooks members and members of SaskBooks’ provincial publishing affiliates can register for $100 per person. Non-members can register for $125 per person. If your firm has multiple representatives attending, please ensure they register separately so that format and allergy information is accurately recorded.
Registration includes access to all sessions (excluding the AGM and Membership Meeting Plenary, which are only open to SaskBooks members), the Stakeholders’ Dinner & Private Tour of Radical Stitch on Thursday, and breakfast and lunch on Friday.
In the event that SaskBooks must cancel the in-person Conference, or an individual participant is unable to attend due to any reason, registration fees will be refunded in full.
In the event of personal cancellations, SaskBooks asks that registrants who find themselves unable to attend the Conference to provide SaskBooks staff notice as soon as possible.
Registration is open until June 13th and can be completed at: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/348187406907
Code of Conduct
SaskBooks is committed to fostering an harassment-free association where all employees, attendees, volunteers, and other event staff are treated with respect and dignity. SaskBooks adheres to the Canadian Human Rights Act, which protects employees, attendees, volunteers, and other event staff from harassment based on race, national or ethnic origin, colour, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, family status, disability, or pardoned conviction. Harassment and/or abuse at SaskBooks is not tolerated. For more information or to file a report, please contact Emily Dmyterko at .
COVID-19 Protocols
Vaccinations, rapid-testing before you arrive each day, and wearing your masks during sessions are all highly encouraged and appreciated! Please respect other attendees’ comfort levels regarding mask use and physical distancing at all times during the conference.
By attending the Conference in-person, you assume all risks, hazards, and dangers arising from or relating in any way to the risk of contracting COVID-19 or any other communicable disease or illness. SaskBooks shall not be held responsible or liable for any claims relating to such risks, hazards, and dangers.
Masks will be required during the private tour of Radical Stitch at the Mackenzie Art Gallery due to venue requirements.
Travel/Accommodation Subsidy
SaskBooks members and members of the BPAA, AMBP, and ABPBC who have travelled over 100km to attend the conference in-person may apply for a travel/accommodation subsidy.
You may apply for up to $200 for an individual (maximum 1 per firm) or up to $400 for 2 or more attendees from your firm. There are a limited number of subsidies available, which are
assigned based which are assigned on a first-come, first-served basis at registration.
At the time of registration, you may indicate whether you will claim a travel subsidy; SaskBooks requires copies of your accommodation receipts. Claims made after 15 July 2022 or for travel/accommodation expenses outside the conference dates are not eligible. SaskBooks encourages members to book cancellation insurance due to ongoing pandemic and travel delay concerns.
Support
This project is funded in part by the Government of Canada. SaskBooks gratefully acknowledges that support and the support of Creative Saskatchewan, Friesens Corporation, the Canada Council for the Arts, and our members.
Secret Bonus Section
The theme for this year’s conference is Welcome Back! because we’re excited to see you after two years of online-only PD sessions! If you can tell Jillian Bell what this mystery song is that inspired the conference theme, she may or may not give you a cookie.
