Below is a list of traditional publishers in Victoria, BC (and beyond). This list was created for writers who want to look into being published by a traditional book publisher instead of self-publishing their book. While the list focuses on BC publishers, Canadian publishers are also listed. For self-publishing resources, check here. Note: Check each publisher’s guidelines before submitting a book proposal.
Publishers (Victoria BC, & area)
- Touchwood Editions
- Orca Books (children’s books)
- Ekstasis Editions (literature)
- Heritage House
- Royal BC Museum Publications (Non-fiction)
- Caitlin Press (literature)
- Hedgerow Press (Closed in 2017)
- Leaf Press (Poetry)
- Mother Tongue (currently no submissions)
- New Society (sustainable ecology and a just society)
Publishers (BC)
- BC Book Publishing Directory
- Arsenal Pulp Press
- Barbarian Press
- Greenboathouse Press
- Raincoast Books
- New Star Books
- Oolichan Books
- Sono Nis Press
- Theytus Books
- Talon Books
- Kalamalka Press
- Lazara Press
- Harbour Publishing
- Whitecap Books
- Tidewater Press
- Hancock House
- Cloudscape Comics (BC indie comics)
- Axial Publishing (Philosophy)
- Self-Counsel Press
- B. Allan Mackie (BC – log-building)
- Ash-Tree Press (Ashcroft BC)
Publishing – Canada
- CanadaBooks.ca (Canada-wide list)
- Literary Press Group of Canada
- Canadian Bookbinders and Book Artists Guild
- J. Gordon Shillingford (Canada)
- Hush Harbour Press (Canada)
- EWC Press (Canada)
publishing – Miscellany
- Alcuin Society (The art of books)
- Meet the Presses (Literary presses)
- Jacob Quinlan Books (Rare book specialist)
- Canadian private presses (directory)
- Fine Press Book Association
From Self-publishing to mainstream
Sometimes self-publishing authors with high sales will attract a traditional publisher. (See Inspirational Quotes.) Since book marketing is always a challenge, even for mainstream publishers, anyone with a big readership will have an advantage over those who don’t. Some writers avoid self-publishing specifically because they don’t want to invest time in marketing: “if you self-publish your book, you are not going to be writing for a living. You are going to be marketing for a living.”
Writers who wish to focus solely on writing, may decide the only path for them is to try to find setting a traditional publisher. However, this goal may take a very long time. In addition, there will likely be many rejections along the way. You need to be prepared for this, have a thick skin, and remain committed to your goal.
Once an author finally achieves their goal and gets published by a traditional publishing company, even then they may be disappointed. This is because writers have falling incomes in the current publishing environment. This is leading to some established writers choosing to take the self-publishing route. Read more: How much do authors get paid? (BookRiot 2021)
Next: How self-publishing your book is like baking a cake.
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Note: Links and information are for research purposes and do not replace professional advice. In addition, accuracy of third-party websites cannot be verified and links do not indicate endorsement.
Updated October 2023 by 3PennyPublishing – Victoria, BC, Canada; researching and sharing self-publishing resources with writers since 2010.