Publishing information resources: Background information

On this page

Dictionaries, Encyclopedias and Handbooks

Dictionary of publishing and printing [print]
"Over 8000 words and expressions from the publishing and printing industries...in clear, straightforward English"

Glossary of typesetting terms [online]
Reference work on the craft of typography, including a dictionary and style guide.

Encyclopedia of the book [print]
"More than 3000 alphabetically-arranged definitions of the terms used in bookmaking, printing, papermaking, and the book trade"

International book publishing: an encyclopedia [print]
With factual and statistical information as well as analysis and evaluation on publishing in Africa, Asia, Europe, Middle East and the Americas 

World press encyclopedia [print or online]
Although the demographics and financial data is not current anymore, the historical overviews of publishing in each country are useful 

The copyeditor's handbook: a guide for book publishing and corporate communications, with exercises and answer keys [print]
A practical guide to copyediting, the main sections include an introduction to copyediting, copyediting for editorial style, and language editing.

Kirsch's guide to the book contract: for authors, publishers, editors and agents [print] 
A guide to the elements of a book contract, using American copyright and press law.

Real world print production [online or print]
Offers a guide on layout and graphic design, in particular on translating design on screen to design in print.

Template: the definitive how-to guide to magazine publishing in Alberta [print]
This how-to guide offers the knowledge needed to publish a magazine in Alberta. Some issues are available online.

Books and beyond: the Greenwood encyclopedia of new American reading [print or online]
Encyclopedia that provides a historical overview of the development of genre and discussion of major works.

You can also refer to a number of reference sources by browsing the SFU Library Catalogue using the following subject-headings:

Book History

The Bibliographical Society of Canada / La Société bibliographique du Canada
A bilingual organization devoted to the scholarly study of the history, description, and transmission of texts with a focus on Canada.

Book History and Print Culture
Primary resources for the study of book history from the Thomas Fisher Rare Book Library at the University of Toronto

Canadian Book Trade Bibliography, 1935-1985
Database containing bibliographical references to articles about Canadian publishing (1935--1985)

Historical Perspectives on Canadian Publishing
Contains essays and primary resources from publishers’ and authors’ archives at McMaster University Library, Queen’s University Archives, and The Thomas Fisher Rare Book Library at the University of Toronto.

History of the Book in Canada [archived]
Companion to the print History of the Book in Canada, it includes comprehensive bibliographic, geographic, and biographic data about Canada's print culture from its beginnings in the 16th century to the 21st century.

American Printing History Association
For the "study of the history of printing and related arts and crafts"

The Society for the History of Authorship, Reading and Publishing (SHARP)
"A global network for book historians"

British Book Trade Index
Includes brief biographical and trade details on the English and Welsh book trades up to 1851

Centre for the History of the Book
At the University of Edinburgh

Publishing timeline 2000: a chronology of publishing & graphic arts events [print]
Traces the development of traditional publishing, graphic arts and printing technology, and computer technology up to the year 2000.

History of the book in Canada [print]
Comprehensive three volume history of print culture in Canada, from pre-Contact to 1980.

You can also refer to a number of book history resources by browsing the SFU Library Catalogue using the following subject-headings:

See also: the course guide for PUB 801: History of publishing.

Government Policy

Report / Royal Commission on Publications [print]
This historical report (1961) authored by its associated commission (chaired by Grattan O'Leary) examined the impact of foreign publications on domestic, Canadian periodicals, specifically with regards to competition and national identity.

Canadian publishers & Canadian publishing [online] [print]
This historical report (1973) from the Ontario Royal Commission on Publications (chaired by Richard Rohmer) explores the following topics: the contemporaneous publishing industry, ownership, copyright, markets and marketing, and educational publishing. The digitized copy is available through OLA (the Ontario Legislative Assembly).

Challenge of change: A consideration of the Canadian book industry [print]
This report (2000) (authored by George Parker) from the Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage (chaired by Clifford Lincoln) investigated contemporaneous trends in wholesale distribution and ownership within the online publishing and bookselling industries, specifically the impacts of retail superstores like Chapters and info-tech innovations.

Support to cultural industries [online]
This report (2005) from the Auditor General of Canada examines how the department of Canadian Heritage manages its support to cultural industries through its strategic direction, governance, control, results measurement, and accountability reporting mechanisms. Archived website access to the report is through the Office of the Auditor General of Canada.

Canadian Electronic Library 
This database provides access to Canadian public policy documents, among other resources; subjects relevant to the publishing industry include "Publishers and publishing", "Book industries and trade" and "Electronic books".

You can also refer to a number of grant and government policy resources by browsing the SFU Library Catalogue using the following subject-headings: