We want to celebrate Read Alberta, a website launched in 2021. The brainchild of Annie Boyar, Heather Lohnes, and Karyn Wisselink, it is a welcome and much-needed initiative, beautifully executed by a brilliant team.
In their words: “Read Alberta celebrates our book community and the people who tell Alberta’s story. Spearheaded by the Book Publishers Association of Alberta, Read Alberta is a hub where Alberta’s readers, authors, publishers, booksellers, and libraries can connect, support, and learn more about one another. We feature work by Alberta publishers and Alberta authors and illustrators, in celebration of the distinct, diverse voices coming out of our own province.”
“To my mind, one of Alberta’s best-kept secrets is its vibrant and flourishing literary community made up of tenacious and forward-looking publishers, boundary-pushing writers, and devoted readers.” ~Jason Purcell, Glass Bookshop
Alberta’s book industry has a special spirit of innovation. The province has writers working in every genre, hardy bookstores (both long-standing and new), and world-class library systems. Alberta has one of the strongest communities of regional publishers in North America with over thirty companies in operation. These publishers work with writers, printers, artists and other creative people to produce high quality books that are sold in Alberta and throughout the world. With a uniquely innovative spirit, Alberta’s publishing industry provides significant benefits to this province.
On Read Alberta, you will find unique content, including book publisher and library profiles, and book lists, and interviews. Take a look at this list, curated by Uche Umezurike in honour of Black History Month. Or read his insightful interviews. We are especially partial to these two conversations: one with Rona Altrows, who has worked with us on several books: Shy, Waiting, and You Look Good for Your Age. And a second, with public speaker, coach, and poet Valerie Mason-John. We published their book of poetry, I Am Still Your Negro.
On Twitter or Instagram, use @WeReadAB or type in the hashtag #ReadAlberta.
If you want to connect with the good people behind Read Alberta, email them at iheartbooknews@readalberta.ca.