The idea of the e-reader came to Bob Brown after watching his first "talkie" (movie with sound). In 1930, he wrote a book on this idea and titled it The Readies, playing off the idea of the "talkie". In his book, Brown says movies have outmaneuvered the book by creating the "talkies" and, as a result, reading should find a new medium: "A machine that will allow us to keep up with the vast volume of print available today and be optically pleasing".
Staff Members
Board Members
Leigh Nash is co-publisher of Invisible Publishing, a not-for-profit company that produces contemporary fiction, nonfiction and poetry.
Her publishing experience includes work as managing editor at Coach House Books and editorial research Thomson Reuters, and she is also a freelance ebook consultant and producer for a number of Canadian and US small presses. Leigh currently serves as treasurer for Canadian Women in the Literary Arts (CWILA) and on the council of the Association of Canadian Publishers (ACP). She received her MFA in Creative Writing from the University of Guelph and her first book of poetry, Goodbye, Ukulele, was published by Mansfield Press in 2010.
In her role as Director of the University of Alberta Press (appointed 2001 May), Ms. Cameron is responsible for providing strategic leadership, motivation and overall direction to the Press and for the management of its day-to-day activities.
Linda Cameron, MSc (Lancaster) in Information Management, Director of the University of Alberta Press since 2001, and published author. In June 2015 received the Association of Canadian Publishers President’s Award “In recognition of ongoing exemplary work on behalf of Canadian publishers, and superlative service to Canadian book publishing industry organizations." Currently, Chair of eBound Canada.
Noah Genner has an extensive background in independent bookselling, software and business development. As the leader of BookNet Canada he orchestrates a skilled team of technical, policy-oriented and client-focused staff to provide new data management services and supply-chain initiatives to the Canadian publishing and book retail sectors.
Before working at BookNet Canada, Noah ran his own technology and software development consulting business, servicing a wide range of clients including book publishers and printers. Prior to that, Noah was Director of Software Development for consumer market research leader Compusense where he oversaw the development of a variety of software projects used by numerous Fortune 500 companies worldwide.
Noah serves on the Board of Directors of the Book Industry Study Group and is Chair of the ONIX International Steering Committee.
Christen Thomas is Executive Director of the Literary Press Group, a national association of 60 Canadian literary publishers
Christen previously taught ebook production at Centennial College and managed technology at eBOUND Canada. Her experience in publishing includes managing editorial at Firefly Books and at Formac Publishing, and digital marketing at James Lorimer & Company and is currently serving on the board of the Book and Periodical Council. Christen is a roller derby skater, cycling advocate, and a published poet interested in technology and art.
Kate Edwards is Executive Director at the Association of Canadian Publishers (ACP), a national trade association representing more than 120 independent, Canadian-owned book publishers.
A graduate of the University of Toronto, and Centennial College’s Book and Magazine Publishing program, Kate’s work includes the full range of ACP activities, including advocacy, communications, professional development, and collective marketing. In addition to eBOUND, she sits on the boards of the Book and Periodical Council and Work In Culture.
Steve Izma of Kitchener, Ontario, is a co-founder of Between The
Lines publishing and currently sits on its editorial committee.
He has recently retired after 31 years as Computing Systems
Administrator at Wilfrid Laurier University Press.
Michael Ciccone is currently the Executive Director of the Centre for Equitable Library Access, on secondment from the Hamilton Public Library, where he is Director of Collections.
Michael is also Chairman of the Information Hamilton Board, a member of the OLA Copyright Committee, and a former member of the eBound/CULC eBook Task Force. Previously he was the Associate Director of Collections at the DC Public Library and the Head of Acquisitions for the branches of the New York Public Library.
Judy Brunsek has over 30 years experience in the publishing business and is currently the Director of Sales & Marketing for Owlkids Books.
Having worked at a wide variety of companies both large and small, Judy Brunsek has over 30 years experience in the publishing business . Her experience includes being a publicist, publisher of Quill & Quire magazine, head of marketing and sales at both multinational and Canadian-owned, independent publishers.
With 15+ years’ experience in publishing and book sales, Margaret brings a deep understanding of the book business to the table.
As a Sales and Marketing leader in the publishing industry, Margaret knows what it takes to get books into the hands of readers. She previously worked in sales, marketing and buying at Dundurn Press, Literary Press Group, Firefly Books, Chapters/Indigo, Stoddart and Wiley Canada.