Literary Press Group celebrates 50 years supporting Canadian literary publishers Video, 50 Books for 50 Years campaign highlights Canadian literary culture
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Toronto —May 6, 2025: The Literary Press Group of Canada (LPG) is celebrating 50 years of supporting independent Canadian literary publishers in 2025. Highlights of the anniversary year include a dedicated 50 Books for 50 Years campaign; a Great Reads, Canadian-Made co-op marketing campaign in partnership with independent bookstores; an interview series with our members; and a celebratory event planned for the fall.
“The LPG’s founders recognized that Canadian literary publishers are stronger as a collective, and 50 years later, our members still work together to amplify the exciting books produced in this country,” said Laura Rock Gaughan, executive director.
The LPG began in 1975 as a committee of the Association of Canadian Publishers (then called the Independent Publishers Association), with the goals of promoting Canadian publishers producing primarily literary works and focusing Canadian public policy on the value of supporting this publishing activity. The Group’s first promotional initiative was a collective sales catalogue, released in 1976. Programming later grew to include sales representation and distribution—professional services that were not accessible to emerging publishers.
A photo of the LPG’s first collective sales catalogue, released in 1976.
While the LPG’s promotional methods have changed dramatically over the years, the overarching goals remain unchanged. “Canadian literature is vital to culture, community, and identity. We support the work of publishing Canadian books and connecting them with readers,” Gaughan added.
In video interviews , longstanding members recalled the early days of the LPG, as well as what the LPG means to them today. Community, collegiality, advocacy, and knowledge-sharing—these terms came up repeatedly when members were asked to name benefits of LPG membership.
VIDEO
Norm Nehmetallah, LPG chair and publisher at Invisible Publishing, noted, “At a time when many are talking about what makes a Canadian book, LPG members check all the boxes: Canadian-owned publisher; Canadian authors; edited, designed, and printed in Canada; warehoused and distributed in Canada; and the profits remain in Canada. We’re doing our work as we always have done, in a market where it’s difficult to break through. I celebrate my colleague publishers for their creativity, resourcefulness, and tenacity.”
He added, “It’s important to celebrate the featured 50 titles from 50 of our members—all are beloved books that have won awards, launched careers, and sparked discussions across the country.”
The
50 Books for 50 Years collection is available for industry partners to browse on
BookNet Canada’s CataList platform , and for the general public on LPG’s reader-facing bookstore and news site,
All Lit Up (alllitup.ca) . The books show the breadth and depth of Canadian independent literary publishing as it stands today: titles by Indigenous writers, LGBTQ+ writers, and writers of colour are well represented in the collection, as well as books in underrepresented-yet-critical literary genres like poetry and drama.
About the LPG LPG is a not-for-profit association that represents Canadian-owned and -operated literary book publishers from coast to coast. Our members produce books by some of Canada’s most innovative and creative writers, giving readers access to diverse voices that have not been well represented in mainstream publishing. In addition to their cultural contributions, LPG members are small businesses that support local economies through the full range of their business activities, from editorial, design, and production to marketing, sales, and distribution.
The LPG advocates for members and for Canadian literary culture; manages a collective sales force; offers distribution services; operates the online book retailer All Lit Up; provides professional development and knowledge-sharing opportunities; and represents member publishers at national and international events.
Today, some LPG publishers have sales representation and distribution through the LPG and its subsidiary, LitDistCo, while other members are represented to the trade by other sales agencies and distributors. The full member list is found at https://lpg.ca/lpg-members .
We gratefully acknowledge the ongoing support of our funders: the Canadian Government; Canada Council for the Arts; and the Ontario Arts Council.
Contact
Lauren Perruzza, Engagement Manager, lauren@lpg.ca
