Registration now open

The Canadian
Publishing
Conference

One day bringing together authors, editors, publishers, educators and students to explore how stories are written, made and shared across Canada.

Date
Sat, Sept 25, 2027
Time
9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Venue
To be announced
Stacks of red and cream books with a maple leaf resting on an open book

Doors open in

––
Days
––
Hours
––
Minutes
––
Seconds
Jointly organized byIMAQPRESS CanadaNations College of Canada

About the conference

A day for everyone who makes books happen.

PubCon.ca is a one-day gathering for Canada's publishing community — from first-time writers and students to seasoned editors, presses and educators.

Through keynotes, panels and hands-on workshops, we'll look at the craft, business and future of publishing, and at how diverse Canadian voices can reach more readers than ever.

Who should attend

  • Aspiring & published authors
  • Editors, designers & publishers
  • Students & educators
  • Librarians & booksellers
  • Translators & literary agents
  • Anyone who loves books
Writers, editors and students collaborating around a table covered in manuscripts
01

Writing & Authorship

Craft, voice and the path to publication for first-time and established authors.

02

Editing & Production

Editorial process, design, print and the realities of bringing a book to life.

03

Digital & Accessible Publishing

eBooks, audiobooks, accessibility standards and new ways readers find books.

04

Academic & Educational

Scholarly publishing, textbooks and the role of colleges in the publishing ecosystem.

05

Business of Books

Rights, contracts, royalties, funding, marketing and distribution across Canada.

06

Diverse Canadian Voices

Amplifying newcomer, Indigenous and multilingual stories in Canadian literature.

The program

Nine to four,
cover to cover.

Saturday, September 25, 2027. A preliminary outline — speakers and session details will be announced as they're confirmed.

  1. 9:00
    Networking

    Registration, Coffee & Welcome

    Pick up your badge, meet fellow attendees, and hear opening remarks from IMAQPRESS Canada and Nations College of Canada.

  2. 9:45
    Keynote

    Opening Keynote: The State of Canadian Publishing

    Where the industry stands today — readership, independent presses, distribution, and the opportunities ahead for Canadian voices.

  3. 10:45
    Panel

    Panel: From Manuscript to Market

    Authors, editors and publishers walk through the journey of a book — acquisitions, editing, design, production and launch.

  4. 12:00
    Break

    Lunch & Networking

    Connect with publishers, educators, authors and students over lunch.

  5. 1:00
    Workshop

    Workshops (choose one)

    Self-publishing & hybrid models · Academic & educational publishing · Digital, audio & accessible formats.

  6. 2:15
    Panel

    Panel: Rights, Funding & Getting Paid

    Copyright essentials, grants and funding programs, contracts and royalties — practical guidance for creators and small presses.

  7. 3:15
    Keynote

    Closing Conversation & Pitch Corner

    A forward-looking closing session, followed by a short open forum for emerging authors to share their projects.

  8. 4:00
    Networking

    Conference Close

    Thank you for joining us. See you next year.

Organizers

Brought to you by two institutions invested in Canadian stories.

Publishing partner

IMAQPRESS Canada

A Canadian publishing house supporting authors through editing, design, production and distribution — and championing new and diverse voices in print and digital formats.

Academic partner

Nations College of Canada

A Canadian college committed to career-focused education, bringing the perspective of students, educators and the next generation of publishing professionals.

Register

Save your seat at PubCon.ca.

Register in under a minute. We'll email you venue details, the final program and workshop information as the day approaches.

  • Saturday, September 25, 2027
  • 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
  • Venue to be announced

FAQ

Good questions.

When and where is PubCon.ca?

PubCon.ca takes place on Saturday, September 25, 2027, from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM. The venue will be announced soon and shared with all registered attendees by email.

Who is organizing the conference?

PubCon.ca is jointly organized by IMAQPRESS Canada and Nations College of Canada.

Who should attend?

Authors, editors, publishers, students, educators, librarians, booksellers and anyone curious about how books are made and shared in Canada.

How do I register?

Fill in the registration form on this page. You will receive a confirmation from the organizing team along with venue and schedule updates as they are finalized.

Can I speak, exhibit or sponsor?

Yes — choose "Speaker", "Exhibitor" or "Sponsor" as your attendee type when registering, and tell us a little about yourself. The organizing team will follow up.

Is the program final?

The program shown is a preliminary outline and may change. Speaker names and session details will be published as they are confirmed.