Like all business, getting published is a complex undertaking. To provide guidance to writers on getting published (traditional and self-published), navigating relationships with agents and editors, and understanding the business of writing (taxes, archives, literary estates), the Union has created a series of How-to guides available for purchase (or free for members) as downloadable PDFs. The Directory of Canadian Publishers is a searchable online database available as a one-year subscription.
DIRECTORY OF CANADIAN PUBLISHERS
This searchable online database lists Canadian publishers who currently accept unsolicited manuscripts. Listings include information about genres, categories, and any specific submission instructions. The DCP also includes quick tips on finding a publisher, submitting a manuscript, and negotiating a contract.
Click the Add To Cart button to purchase a one-year subscription to the DCP for $10.00.
Once your order is processed, you will be emailed instructions on how to access the DCP through our website.
Access is free for members through the TWUC Member Portal (login required).
This searchable online database lists Canadian publishers who currently accept unsolicited manuscripts. Listings include information about genres, categories, and any specific submission instructions. The DCP also includes quick tips on finding a publisher, submitting a manuscript, and negotiating a contract.
Click the Add To Cart button to purchase a one-year subscription to the DCP for $10.00.
Once your order is processed, you will be emailed instructions on how to access the DCP through our website.
Access is free for members through the TWUC Member Portal (login required).
PUBLICATIONS
The Writers' How-to Series offers professional guides on a variety of topics for writers. Purchase digital copies below, or contact info@writersunion.ca to inquire about purchasing physical copies.
Access is free for members through the TWUC Member Portal (login required).
Purchase the whole set of Writers' How-to publications
Download every publication in the series for information and advice on all of the topics below.
The Writers' How-to Series offers professional guides on a variety of topics for writers. Purchase digital copies below, or contact info@writersunion.ca to inquire about purchasing physical copies.
Access is free for members through the TWUC Member Portal (login required).
Purchase the whole set of Writers' How-to publications
Download every publication in the series for information and advice on all of the topics below.
Latest Publications
Thinking About Your Archives? It's Never Too Late to Consider the Future of Your Past (2021)
By Sarah Hillier
This guide to literary archives covers basic archival principles and what’s important to keep, how to maintain and organize your files, digital considerations, selecting the right archival repository, how to negotiate the donation or sale of your archives, and more.
Preview the Table of Contents.
This guide to literary archives covers basic archival principles and what’s important to keep, how to maintain and organize your files, digital considerations, selecting the right archival repository, how to negotiate the donation or sale of your archives, and more.
Everything You Never Wanted to Know About Taxes (2019)
By Joel Fishbane
A practical tax guide for those in the business of writing that covers types of income and expenses, details about the GST, and incorporation. This publication contains information useful to all writers, whether you file your own taxes or have them filed by a professional.
Preview the Table of Contents.
A practical tax guide for those in the business of writing that covers types of income and expenses, details about the GST, and incorporation. This publication contains information useful to all writers, whether you file your own taxes or have them filed by a professional.
The Last Chapter: Estate and Legacy Planning for Writers (2019)
By Susan Goldberg
This publication covers wills and powers of attorney, literary estates and appointing a literary executor, and how to plan your literary archive. It includes comments from Shauna Singh Baldwin, Brian Brett, Terry Fallis, Lawrence Hill, Robert J. Sawyer, Susan Swan, and others.
Preview the Table of Contents.
This publication covers wills and powers of attorney, literary estates and appointing a literary executor, and how to plan your literary archive. It includes comments from Shauna Singh Baldwin, Brian Brett, Terry Fallis, Lawrence Hill, Robert J. Sawyer, Susan Swan, and others.
How to Self-Publish (2023)
By Eve Silver (2017); Updated by Arthur Slade (2023)
This in-depth guide covers the how and why of self-publishing, from editing and design to distribution and marketing. It includes information suitable for authors with both unpublished and previously published materials.
Preview the Table of Contents.
This in-depth guide covers the how and why of self-publishing, from editing and design to distribution and marketing. It includes information suitable for authors with both unpublished and previously published materials.
Sell Your Book: An Author's Guide to Publicity and Promotion (2017)
By Suzanne Alyssa Andrew
This publication provides ideas for publicity and promotional activities that work, including a blueprint for your own personal book marketing plan. It features tips from authors Claire Cameron, Chris Chambers, Farzana Doctor, Christine Fisher Guy, Maria Meindl, Lana Pesch, and Russell Smith, with industry advice from Dundurn Press’s Margaret Bryant, Quill & Quire’s Sue Carter, and McNally Robinson’s Chris Harrow.
Preview the Table of Contents.
This publication provides ideas for publicity and promotional activities that work, including a blueprint for your own personal book marketing plan. It features tips from authors Claire Cameron, Chris Chambers, Farzana Doctor, Christine Fisher Guy, Maria Meindl, Lana Pesch, and Russell Smith, with industry advice from Dundurn Press’s Margaret Bryant, Quill & Quire’s Sue Carter, and McNally Robinson’s Chris Harrow.
Contracts Self-Help Package
If you have been offered a contract by a publisher, or anticipate such an offer in the near future, help is available. This package helps writers evaluate and negotiate contracts offered by publishers. The Model Trade Book Contract is an example of an equitable publishing agreement between an author and publisher. Help Yourself to a Better Contract (written for the Union by legal-counsel Marian Hebb) is a guide to the negotiation process, including a checklist of favourable contract provisions.
If you have been offered a contract by a publisher, or anticipate such an offer in the near future, help is available. This package helps writers evaluate and negotiate contracts offered by publishers. The Model Trade Book Contract is an example of an equitable publishing agreement between an author and publisher. Help Yourself to a Better Contract (written for the Union by legal-counsel Marian Hebb) is a guide to the negotiation process, including a checklist of favourable contract provisions.
Model Trade Book Contract (2023)
This comprehensive model contract provides reasonable minimum terms for trade book contracts and is a useful comparative tool for evaluating your publisher's contract.
Help Yourself to a Better Contract (2006)
By Marian Hebb
Checklist of favourable book contract provisions with advice on what to ask and what to watch for. Designed to aid writers in book contract negotiations with their publishers.
Please be aware of the following: The Contract Self-Help Package usually answers most writers' questions about publishing contracts, and the Union encourages writers to evaluate and negotiate their own contract. A publisher's contract (like other personal contracts) is not written in stone — it is a document to be negotiated. The publisher should provide sixty days in which you may consider the contract offer and seek advice. If you wish to use any of the Union's Contract Services, you should contact the Union as soon as possible after receiving a publishing offer.
Other Publications
Anthology Rates and Contracts (2006)
This document provides notes on contributions to anthologies, suggests minimum rates, and provides a suggested anthology contract.
This document provides notes on contributions to anthologies, suggests minimum rates, and provides a suggested anthology contract.
Author & Editor (1983)
By Rick Archbold, Doug Gibson, Dennis Lee, John Pearce, Jan Walter
A booklet describing the relationship between author and editor, including a list of dos and don'ts for both parties.
A booklet describing the relationship between author and editor, including a list of dos and don'ts for both parties.
Author & Literary Agent (2007)
Guidelines and responsibilities governing the relationship between the author and the literary agent.
Guidelines and responsibilities governing the relationship between the author and the literary agent.
From Page to Screen (1999)
A reference guide regarding options, film, and TV contracts for original literary works, including information on minimum and maximum rates paid.
A reference guide regarding options, film, and TV contracts for original literary works, including information on minimum and maximum rates paid.
Ghostwriting (1995)
By Marian Hebb
This publication includes various details to consider when negotiating a ghost writing agreement, including a sample contract.
This publication includes various details to consider when negotiating a ghost writing agreement, including a sample contract.
Glossary of Publishing Terms (2003)
An aid to authors when dealing with the book publishing industry — usually during contract negotiations. Intended as a user-friendly, alphabetical reference guide to terms commonly used within the industry.
An aid to authors when dealing with the book publishing industry — usually during contract negotiations. Intended as a user-friendly, alphabetical reference guide to terms commonly used within the industry.
Writers' Guide to Grants (2001)
An informative list of grants available to Canadian writers; includes information about writing samples, types of juries and how they judge, and application procedures.
An informative list of grants available to Canadian writers; includes information about writing samples, types of juries and how they judge, and application procedures.
We would like to acknowledge funding support from the Canada Council for the Arts and the Ontario Arts Council, and the Government of Ontario for their support.
The Writers’ Union of Canada does not endorse or recommend any commercial products, processes, or services.
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