“…there is the value of having BC stories told. … you can connect with your region more deeply by reading about the history, food, geography, peoples and stories around you”
The “Support Local” movement has been around for a while and there is no question of the benefit this shift in thinking has offered local farmers, artisans, businesses and organizations.
Not surprisingly, the “Support Local” movement has gained momentum in the BC book industry, taking form in the Read Local BC promotion. The value British Columbia book publishers, authors, booksellers and librarians bring to people living and visiting this province comes in many forms. For one, it is dollars being invested in our local economy. Book publishers employ editors, indexers, photographers, artists, designers, printers and others across the province in the business of making books. We also publish BC authors — giving both first-time authors a start and working with established authors to bring their books to readers in BC and beyond.
And beyond the economic benefit of Reading Local, there is the value of having BC stories told. It starts in our schools where students can read about BC history and people. It means our local libraries, whether in urban centres or small towns, feature authors and books by people in that region. Your local bookstore will host visiting and local authors. All of this means you can connect with your region more deeply by reading about the history, food, geography, peoples and stories around you.
For Orca, being a part of Read Local BC has meant our BC authors have received added exposure and been included in really great events with other authors. It has also been a source of pride and conversation for those of us in the industry. We are enthusiastic about working with our colleagues at the ABPBC and publishers across BC to build this promotion together.
Whether local is BC as your province, town, or region, please visit your bookstore or library and experience all that BC Books have to offer you.
Ruth Linka is the associate publisher of Orca Book Publishers, located in Victoria, BC, and past president of the Association of Book Publishers of BC. Prior to joining Orca Books in 2014, Ruth had worked at Coteau Books, Raincoast Books, NeWest Press, co-founded Brindle & Glass in 2001, and was the publisher at TouchWood Editions.