Province to offer support for publishers

The Prince Edward Island government is developing a new funding program to assist publishers of Island books, says Tourism and Culture Minister Robert Vessey. The minister met with representatives of the publishing industry earlier this week.

“I was very impressed with the important role this group plays in providing individuals and organizations with the opportunity to tell Prince Edward Island’s stories,” said the minister. “I have asked my staff to review the former program and identify ways that it can be more accessible to a larger number of participants. A revised program will be launched later this year.”

Unlike larger provinces, Prince Edward Island has a limited number of businesses devoted entirely to publishing while some presses do not publish regularly. The revised program will assist these smaller ventures and provide Islanders with better access to the professional services provided by a publisher.

The program will replace the Publishers Assistance Program which last operated in 2009-2010 and had a limited uptake.