Bigger not necessarily better

In the world of Canadian book publishing, one could get downhearted by the closing of book stores and big publishing companies in various spots across the country. One could... or one could simply follow their business plan, focus on their niche market and carry on... as we do at DriverWorks Ink, sharing our fascinating stories of Prairie people and unsung Canadian heroes.

A Nova Scotia publisher penned this Letter to the Editor response to a recent Globe and Mail article about the end of Canada's largest publishing company:

Publishing dreams
   Despite its present woes, Douglas & MacInyre made an extraordinary contribution to the literary culture (The Demise Of Douglas & MacIntyre Ends A 40-year Dream – Life & Arts, Oct. 24). Its loss will be a monumental one for authors and readers alike. But it is nonsense to suggest that the “dream” for an independent industry is at an end simply because its largest player couldn’t make ends meet.
   What of all the wily, tenacious, innovative little literary presses that are the backbone of our publishing culture? Perhaps they are not small merely because they are bad at being big, but rather because their smallness is a model for true sustainability, independence and cultural impact? Whether it’s in farming, banking or publishing, we must get over this obsession with “biggest knows best” and foster diversified economies and industries with players of all sizes.
    -  Andrew Steeves, Gaspereau Press, Kentville, N.S.

We appreciate this response letter and agree that publishing in Canada is not at an end. We smaller publishing houses are finding our own audiences and coming up with new and effective ways of reaching our readers with our books - be they print or electronic.  

DriverWorks Ink has recently added two new children's books to our list of great titles: SuperMom and the Big Baby by Dave Driver and The Sailor and the Christmas Trees by Deana Driver. We've spent the last two weeks launching these books and getting the word out to our readers. (That's why you haven't heard from me on my blog for awhile. Sorry about that.)

Regarding SuperMom and the Big Baby, the book came about because the author's wife talks in her sleep. Being the clever man he is, Dave Driver (who happens to be our son) recorded some of those phrases and turned them into a funny story about their youngest son, whose temper gets the best of him one day. As the baby gets angrier and angrier, he grows and grows... becoming a giant 18-month-old who needs to be rescued. His mom grabs a cape and mask, becoming SuperMom, and saves the day. Everything that SuperMom says in the story is something the author's wife actually said in her sleep!

This is a very funny book, perfect for children ages 2 and up!

The Sailor and the Christmas Trees is the true story of a Manitoba-born sailor during the Second World War. John Hanlon realized in November 1944 that he and his fellow sailors would be at sea on Christmas Day, so he went up a hill in St. John's, Newfoundland and cut down some trees. He hid them in the ship for a month and brought them out on Christmas morning to surprise the crew. He also surprised a group of young children who were travelling to safety in Canada on another ship in that convoy. It took 50 years for John to find out whether those children ever made it safely to Canada.

This is the perfect Remembrance Day and Christmas story for children ages 6 and up. It is written for children who are learning to read, and includes a biography of John Hanlon and a glossary of definitions.


So from our little publishing house to your home... keep enjoying Canadian literature! You'll find it in the most wonderful places!