The Writers’ Union of Canada regrets the recent loss of books coverage in The Globe and Mail
For immediate release
Toronto, January 29, 2013 – The recent news that books coverage in The Globe and Mail will be further reduced has left The Writers’ Union of Canada (TWUC) wondering if there is a crisis of critical engagement in Canada’s mainstream media.
“Since the regrettable cancellation of the Globe’s stand-alone Books section,” commented TWUC Chair, Merilyn Simonds, “Canadian writers and readers have, at least, been able to access daily book coverage through the work of Martin Levin and Jack Kirchhoff. With those two excellent editors gone, and with arts coverage in other large dailies condensed and cut back, the illumination of Canadian writing and publishing has been dimmed.”
Excellent critical outlets such as Quill & Quire, Canadian Notes & Queries and the Literary Review of Canada continue to provide important coverage, as do online spaces such as 49th Shelf, Open Book and a host of independent literature-focused blogs; but, the loss of daily mainstream print-media focus on books generally, and Canadian books in particular, is a blow to a vital, homegrown cultural industry already vastly outweighed by international content.
“The specialty publications simply cannot duplicate the reach of a general interest national daily,” said Simonds. “Without intensive book coverage in our large daily newspapers, publishers and festivals will lose access to a targeted, engaged, book-loving audience. Not only will it be harder for books to find readers, but the ongoing literary conversation sparked by quality reviews will be silenced – or at the least, reduced to a whisper.”
TWUC urges the Globe and Mail and other national dailies to reconsider their recent arts coverage cutbacks. As well, we encourage readers to make their opinions known.
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The Writers’ Union of Canada is our country’s national organization representing more than 2,000 professional authors of books. Founded in 1973, the Union is dedicated to fostering writing in Canada, and promoting the rights, freedoms, and economic well-being of all writers. www.writersunion.ca
For additional information:
John Degen, Executive Director
The Writers’ Union of Canada
416-703-8982, ext. 221
jdegen@writersunion.ca
or
Merilyn Simonds, Chair
The Writers’ Union of Canada
613-924-2037,
chair@writersunion.ca
