How Canadian Authors Are Getting Their Books in Front of Readers
Canadian writers are redefining the literary landscape by taking charge of their publishing destiny. Self publishing has emerged as a powerful way to bring fresh voices to a national (or even global) audience. At Foglio, our mission is to help Canadian authors every step of the way—from preparing your manuscript to marketing your finished book.
In this guide, you’ll learn how to position your book so it stands out, covering everything from professional editing to digital distribution. I’ll also show you how Foglio’s custom self-publishing services can increase your reach and boost sales, ensuring your book doesn’t just find customers, but turns customers into raving fans.
Why More Canadian Authors Are Self-Publishing
Creative Control and Flexibility
Self-publishing allows you to call all the shots—cover design, interior layout, pricing, marketing, and distribution. Moreover, because you have control over the entire process, you can choose whose advice to take when it comes to editing, design, and marketing. There are many methods to find success in self-publishing, but not every path will work for you. A good self-publishing consultant will ensure that you are well-equipped and well-informed about all your options and how to achieve your goals.
Higher Royalties and Local Support
Keeping a larger share of royalties is one reason authors opt for self publishing in Canada. Plus, ISBNs are provided at no cost by Library and Archives Canada. This support, combined with Canada’s robust literary culture, makes it an ideal environment for indie authors looking to get their work in front of readers.
Tip: If you need guidance at any stage of your self-publishing journey, we can help. Our publishing packages include ISBN registration assistance, printing solutions, and more.
Planning and Perfecting Your Manuscript
Outline Your Vision
Define Your Audience: Who are you writing for? What will your target audience be expecting from your book? How can you give them a book that’s new and refreshing, while also familiar and welcomed?
Organize Your Book: Create a structure that flows naturally. Trey Parker, co-creator of South Park, has some great advice on creating a narrative that flows. He says that, rather than having your narrative be a mere sequence of disjointed events, you should be able to say, “and therefore,” between each chapter or scene. This makes every action in your book deliberately pointed to a purpose, rather than a mere collection of inconsequential events.
Set Milestones: Break your project into achievable goals to maintain momentum. Can you write 100 words per day? How about 1000? I always encourage writers to push themselves slightly out of their comfort zone, because just like in physical activity, your mind wants to stop long before you’ve actually reached your limit. However, remember to have fun in the writing process—your readers will be able to tell if it was a slog!
How Foglio Helps: We provide developmental editing insights, author coaching, and project management—perfect for staying on track and ensuring your manuscript resonates with both your target audience and a broader audience of Canadian (and global) readers.
Elevating Quality Through Editing
A compelling story can lose impact if weighed down by errors. That’s why professional editing is crucial.
Quick Rundown of the Types of Editing
Developmental Editing: Big-picture advice on plot, flow, and character arcs.
Copyediting: Fine-tuning grammar, syntax, and style.
Proofreading: The final sweep to catch any leftover typos and layout issues.
Manuscript Evaluation: A quick but thorough review of the manuscript—great for getting a reader’s first impression.
How Foglio Helps: Our team of editors tailors the editing process to your book’s unique needs—helping you bring out the best in your manuscript (and discarding everything else!).
Discover how proper layout boosts professionalism by reading my recent blog post What Is Typesetting?
Creating a Reader-Friendly Design
Typesetting and Interior Formatting
Professional typesetting improves readability and overall reader satisfaction. Attention to details like font choice, line spacing, and chapter headings can make a world of difference.
Read my recent blog about the importance of typesetting to learn how it affects reader engagement and turns customers into raving fans.
How Foglio Helps: We handle all the technical details related to typesetting and layout—margins, fonts, spacing, leading, kerning—ensuring your book reads well from cover to cover.
Meeting Canadian Publishing Requirements
ISBN Registration
Every book needs an International Standard Book Number (ISBN) to be tracked by bookstores and libraries, and of course Library and Archives Canada. Canadians can request one for free from Library and Archives Canada, and ISBN service is included with all of our publishing packages.
Legal Deposit
Under Canadian law, you must submit copies of your book to Library and Archives Canada. We assist you with this process so that you can remain focussed on your writing.
Printing and Production Options
Print-On-Demand (POD)
POD eliminates large upfront costs by producing copies only when readers order them. Services like KDP Print (Amazon) and IngramSpark are widely used. In Canada, most authors can obtain author copies of their books at approximately $4-6 each—a fantastic unit cost, especially on low quantities.
Print on Demand also helps authors avoid storing boxes of unsold books. If you have an author event coming up, like a reading or a book launch, just order roughly the amount of books you expect to sell (plus a few more for good measure). The best part is that you won’t get penalized for order micro runs!
Bulk Printing
For in-person events, book signings, or a regional distribution strategy, bulk printing might yield better margins, especially if you have a few events coming up (and a loyal fanbase). We’ll help you weigh the pros and cons based on your goals and marketing efforts.
Get familiar with print industry jargon by checking out my recent blog, Ten Important Book Printing Terms Every Self-Publishing Author Should Know.
EBook Formatting and Distribution
Digital books open global markets. Making your eBook available online is the quickest way to get your book in front of the world. Proper eBook formatting ensures your text displays beautifully on different devices, from Kindles to Kobos, iPads to iPhones.
But remember: eBook design is nothing without validation. All Foglio eBooks are validated according to W3C requirements and are cross-platform-tested to ensure compliance with vendor-specific protocols and international accessibility standards.
Learn about how our eBook design and validation services ensure file compatibility and a great user experience.
How Foglio Helps: We handle conversions (EPUB, MOBI) and platform uploads, so you don’t have to worry about technical hurdles.
Marketing Your Book Across Canada (and Beyond)
Build Your Author Brand
Create a Dynamic Author Website: Showcase a bio, book excerpts, and purchase links.
Social Media Presence: Engage readers on the platforms they frequent most—Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, or Facebook (dancing not required).
Email Newsletters: Keep your audience updated about launches, promotions, and your writing progress.
Canada-Specific Outreach
Local Book Fairs & Festivals: There are numerous Canadian literary events where indie authors can present their work, like GritLit, which is sponsored by Foglio this year.
Local Media: Send press releases or excerpts to newspapers, radio, and community blogs. Canadian media outlets are always looking for fresh perspectives on local issues—try reaching out, especially if your book directly addresses life in Canada.
Check out our testimonials to see how other authors leveraged Foglio’s services for greater exposure.
Continuous Support for Ongoing Success
The journey doesn’t end once your book is published. Staying active with marketing, writing more books, and nurturing your reader community can lead to long-term success with your writing and publishing.
Post-Publication Services
Additional Print Runs: Scale up when your book gains traction.
Marketing Refresh: Update your approach as platforms evolve with tailor-made PPC campaigns, press releases, and media kits (we’ll help you with all of this and more).
Future Titles: We’re here to assist with every subsequent project.
Why Foglio Is the Right Choice for Canadian Authors
If you’re aiming to connect your story with readers across Canada and beyond, our all-inclusive self-publishing services are designed to give you a competitive advantage:
Dedicated Support: Work with a project manager who understands your vision.
Expert Guidance: Get help with every detail—editing, cover design, distribution channels, and more.
Time-Saving Solutions: Focus on writing while we handle the technical and administrative tasks.
Canadian authors are increasingly turning to self publishing in Canada as a proven path to reach readers. Whether you’re venturing into your first book or expanding your catalog, Foglio has the tools and expertise to help you succeed.
Ready to Bring Your Book to Life?
• See why typesetting matters for readability.
• Brush up on ten important book printing terms.
• Explore our eBook design and validation services.
• Read our testimonials from satisfied authors.
Let us be your partner to help you self publish your book in Canada. Contact Foglio today, and together, we’ll ensure your book stands out on shelves—virtual or otherwise—across the country and worldwide.
