Into the hands of readers: Book distribution in Canada and alternatives for small publishers

This project report examines the current state of book distribution in Canada, particularly in relation to small and medium sized presses, by outlining industry standard terms and practices, pertinent events in recent history, and funding programs in place to support book publishing and distribution. There are several factors and challenges that Canadian book publishers face in the all-important process of distributing their books, from a costly east-to-west supply chain to ever-increasing return rates. The report takes as its case study the distribution history of New Star Books Ltd., including recent change in distributors from Brunswick Books to UTP Distribution at the beginning of 2020. The report concludes with a number of potential alternatives to the current status-quo with the aim of improving distribution options for these smaller publishing firms.