SODEC — Support for book and publishing companies - Component 1
QC, Canada
The program ensures enhanced market competitiveness and boosts sales revenues for Quebec-based book and publishing companies
grant_single_labels|summary
grant_single|eligibleFinancing
- grant_single|maxCount
grant_single|deadlines
- grant_single|openingDateNovember 15, 2024
- grant_single|closingDateMay 23, 2024
grant_single|financingType
Grant and Funding
grant_single|eligibleIndustries
- Information and cultural industries
grant_single|grantors
- Société de développement des entreprises culturelles (SODEC)
- Gouvernement du Québec
grant_single|status
grant_card_status|closed
grant_single_labels|preview
The grant provides a maximum funding amount of $200,000 per year to support Quebec publishers in ensuring the production, marketing, distribution, and promotion of Quebecois books. Eligible activities include investments in the promotion and commercialization of books by Quebecois authors and participation in book fairs.
grant_single_labels|projects
The grant offers financial support for various projects and activities that focus on publishing and promoting Quebecois books. Eligible activities are designed to enhance the commercial success and visibility of published works.
- Commercialization, promotion, and press activities for books in Quebec and on digital platforms.
- Production of promotional tools like catalogs and online marketing materials.
- Promotional and mediation activities in Quebec, including author appearances and book events.
- Participation in book fairs, supported by an additional allowance based on travel distance.
grant_single|admissibleProjectsExample
$195,000
Laval
Create an interactive online platform to promote Quebecois literature to young audiences in Laval.
$180,000
Montreal
Develop a digital marketing strategy for Quebecois authors to increase book sales in Montreal.
$160,000
Quebec City
Launch a book fair tour across Quebec to showcase emerging Quebecois authors and illustrators.
grant_single_labels|admissibility
The company eligibility criteria for this grant are:
- Be a Quebec-based company legally constituted as a corporation, non-profit organization (NPO), cooperative, or partnership, and be active in the field of books for at least two years; individual enterprises are not eligible.
- Have achieved a minimum turnover of $50,000, including grants (with $30,000 in book sales (excluding taxes) in both paper and digital formats during the applicant's last financial year).
- For specialized or remote region publishers, have achieved a minimum turnover of $30,000, including grants (with $18,000 in book sales (excluding taxes) in both paper and digital formats during the applicant's last financial year).
- Be a professional publisher, which includes taking charge of all financial and commercial risks related to book publishing, having a distribution agreement, respecting contractual commitments, and clearly demonstrating in financial statements that royalties are paid to authors.
- Be approved or eligible for approval by the Ministry of Culture and Communications, according to the standards and conditions defined by the Law on the development of Quebec book enterprises and the regulations on approval annexed to the law.
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_can_apply
The grant is designed to support companies in the book and publishing sector in Quebec, facilitating the production and marketing of Quebecois books. Eligible companies must meet a set of specific conditions laid out by the grant program.
- Companies must be legally constituted in Quebec as a corporation, non-profit, cooperative, or partnership active in the book industry for at least two years.
- Individual enterprises are not eligible.
- Publishers should have a minimum sales turnover, including subsidies, of $50,000 with $30,000 from book sales in printed and digital formats.
- Specific provisions apply for specialized publishers or those located in remote regions with a reduced minimum sales requirement of $30,000, with $18,000 from book sales.
- Publishers must demonstrate professionalism in their operations including assumption of financial risk and having a distribution agreement in place.
- Only books authored or translated by Quebec authors, meeting the page count criteria, and not falling under exclusion categories such as educational material or reference guides, are eligible for sales revenue calculations.
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_cannot_apply
The grant is directed towards supporting book and publishing companies, specifically those that are established within Quebec and meet specific criteria. However, certain companies, such as sole proprietorships, are explicitly restricted from eligibility for this grant.
- Companies that are sole proprietorships
- Any enterprise not primarily operating in the book publishing sector
- Companies not legally constituted in Quebec for at least two years
- Enterprises failing to meet minimum revenue thresholds
- Entities not in compliance with obligations towards authors, such as unpaid royalties
grant_eligibility_criteria|eligible_expenses
The grant lists specific eligible expenses for activities related to promotion and commercialization.
- Internal salaries related to marketing activities.
- External marketing fees and promotional tool costs.
- General expenses for promotional activities, including logistics and compensation for authors and illustrators.
grant_eligibility_criteria|zone
The grant is intended for companies legally established in Quebec, Canada, focusing on the book and publishing sector. Specific measures also exist for publishers located in remote regions within Quebec.
- Abitibi-Témiscamingue
- Bas-Saint-Laurent
- Côte-Nord
- Gaspésie–Îles-de-la-Madeleine
- Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean
- Nord-du-Québec
- Quebec (general)
grant_single_labels|criteria
The grant does include evaluation and selection criteria focused on the performance and financial health of the applicant companies. These criteria are used to determine the distribution of the grant funds among eligible publishers.
- Role of the promoter of the book: value of investments in promotion and marketing relative to the applicant's revenue.
- Effectiveness of promotion investment: value of total sales compared to investments in promotion and marketing.
- Volume of eligible book sales.
- Financial health index: liquidity and cash flow.
- Financial health index: profitability.
- Financial health index: level of debt.
grant_single_labels|register
Step 1: Get the technical eligibility notice
- Ensure you are an accredited publisher or bookseller or eligible for accreditation.
- Receive a technical eligibility notice from the Ministry of Culture and Communications.
Step 2: Prepare the application
- Gather financial statements showing minimum revenue requirements.
- Prepare evidence of contractual agreements and royalty payments to authors.
- Compile data on sales and promotion expenses as required.
Step 3: Submit the application
- Use the secure electronic submission portal, SOD@ccès.
- Ensure to use the correct program number: 30-20-01 for Section 1 (aid to publishers).
- Follow the guide for submitting applications provided by SODEC.
Step 4: Check submission deadline
- Verify the application deadlines on the SODEC website for the current fiscal year.
grant_single_labels|otherInfo
There is additional information worth knowing for the grant applicant.
- The SODEC reserves the right to form a committee to evaluate the eligibility of certain applicants.
- The applicant consents to SODEC or a chosen auditor examining financial records related to the project.
- The maximum grant amount per year is $200,000.
- Specific deductions apply to eligibility calculations, such as certain types of sales or non-eligible expenses.
- The financial assistance is also contingent on the availability of funds and the approval by the National Assembly.
- A pluriannual determination of aid is possible; typical disbursement might differ based on SODEC's assessment.
- All aid is distributed on completion of a financial aid agreement, except for participation in book fairs, which is post-event.
- Non-compliance with contractual obligations, like royalty payments, can result in disqualification.
Apply to this program
Financial Support for Quebec's Publishing Sector
The Programme d'aide aux entreprises du livre et de l'édition (Book and Publishing Company Support Program), led by the SODEC, aims to enhance the competitiveness and income of Quebec-based publishing companies by providing financial assistance for editorial, promotional, and market development activities.
Understanding the SODEC's Book and Publishing Company Support Program
The Programme d'aide aux entreprises du livre et de l'édition, administered by SODEC (Société de développement des entreprises culturelles), is designed to bolster the Quebec publishing industry. This initiative targets the core sectors of publishing and distribution, promoting the continuous growth of local authors and books on both national and regional scales. The program is divided into several components, each focusing on specific aspects of support to the publishing sector. The primary objective of this program is to maintain a sustainable and diverse Quebec publishing landscape. By offering financial aid, the program ensures that publishers have the resources to invest in the necessary marketing, promotion, and technological advancements to refine their operations. The program notably emphasizes the importance of discoverability and the enhancement of marketing channels to ensure Quebec authors gain substantial exposure. One of the pivotal aspects of the program is its structured financial participation, which is granted in the form of subsidies. The aid includes support for promotional activities, additional assistance for specialized publishers and those located in remote regions, and help with participation in book fairs. Notably, the amount of financial aid can reach up to $200,000 annually, offering publishers a significant opportunity to amplify their market presence. The program is comprehensive, meticulously outlining the categories of eligible expenses. These categories comprise marketing, promotion, and digital enhancement initiatives. Additionally, expenses related to promotional events, logistics, and remunerations for Quebec authors are also covered, albeit within specific frameworks. Furthermore, the program is sensitive to regional disparities by offering additional financial incentives to publishers from more isolated areas such as Abitibi-Témiscamingue, Bas-Saint-Laurent, and other specified regions. These bonuses emphasize aiding those who face logistical challenges due to geographic constraints. An integral part of gaining support is the evaluation of an applying company's performance indices—both promotional and financial—signifying the program’s commitment not just to financial support but also to fostering a robust business acumen within the industry. The evaluation includes variables like investment effectiveness and the financial health of the applicant, ensuring that the assistance is provided to competent and viable enterprises. Participation in book fairs is another cornerstone of the program, with calculated travel grants offered depending on the distance from the publisher's headquarters. This strategy aims to encourage face-to-face interaction between publishers and their audiences, turning geographical challenges into opportunities for exposure. Overall, the Programme d'aide aux entreprises du livre et de l'édition solidifies the cultural and economic fabric of Quebec’s publishing companies by addressing typical industry challenges with tailored financial solutions. This proactive approach not only supports current publishing endeavors but also lays a foundation for a thriving Quebec literary community capable of reaching wider horizons.
