Magazine Publishing Essentials
Preserving Your Publications with Legal Deposit
Ensure your magazine remains accessible long after today’s staff has moved on by participating in Legal Deposit with Library and Archives Canada (LAC). Through legal deposit, your magazine becomes part of Canada’s national collection—securely preserved, discoverable worldwide, and available to readers and researchers for generations. As Canada’s national library and one of the largest in the world, LAC safeguards the country’s published heritage.
To support publishers, LAC has created a practical tipsheet outlining how to deposit print and digital magazines. By participating, you’ll ensure your publication becomes part of Canada’s official record.
Got Issues? We’ve Got Solutions. Publishing Essentials: An On‑Demand Webinar Series for Small and Literary Publishers
Some days, it can feel like no one really understands the challenges of publishing a small circulation or literary magazine. But we do.
We’ve recorded a practical, no‑nonsense Publishing Essentials webinar series designed specifically for Canadian publishers working with limited resources, ambitious ideas, and a deep commitment to literary and cultural work.
These on‑demand 101‑level sessions, curated and hosted by Joyce Byrne, break down the fundamentals of running a small magazine today—from building persuasive media kits and sharpening sales strategies, to selling digital, managing circulation, budgeting realistically, and delivering special projects without burning out your team.
Whether you’re new to publishing or looking to strengthen your foundation, this series meets you where you are, with clear guidance you can apply right away.
Learn from people who understand the realities of Canadian literary publishing. Watch on your own schedule and revisit as needed. We’ve got you covered.
Funded in part by the Government of Canada | Government of Alberta | Edmonton Arts Council | Calgary Arts Development
Media Kits and Advertising with Trevor Battye
Build Your Media Kit & Pitch Letter
Master the two fundamental tools of advertising sales in this practical webinar. You’ll learn how to create a compelling media kit and write an effective pitch letter — the essential building blocks for generating ad revenue for your publication.
How to Sell Digital Advertising Bundles and Sponsorships
Learn the advertising skills your small magazine needs to grow revenue. In this webinar, you’ll discover how to sell digital advertising, bundle print and digital advertising packages, and sell sponsorships as an independent publication.
Bonus Q&A: Advertising Sales Strategies for Literary & Indie Magazines
Got questions about growing your magazine’s revenue? This bonus Q&A session covers the strategies you need to know — from selling advertising and working with PR agencies, to generating leads through editorial and delivering standout customer service.
Magazine Budgeting with Sharon McAuley
Magazine Budgeting: A Practical Guide for Literary Magazines
Does your literary magazine have a solid budget — or are finances feeling like a mystery? In this webinar, publishing consultant Sharon McAuley breaks down the budgeting basics every small magazine needs to stay financially healthy and mission-aligned.
Circulation Strategies with Eithne McCredie
Magazine Circulation Strategies: Growing Your Readership on a Budget
How does your small magazine stay financially healthy? In this webinar, seasoned magazine industry professional Eithne McCredie shares proven, cost-effective strategies for growing circulation and shifting successfully toward reader revenue.
Whether you’re running a print magazine, going digital, or managing both, this session gives you a practical, data-driven roadmap for sustainable circulation growth.
Successful Special Projects with Laurie D. Graham
Successful Special Projects
How do small literary magazines fund big ideas — without burning out their teams? In this webinar, Laurie D. Graham, publisher of the acclaimed literary journal Brick, shares her practical, proven approach to special project grants, live events, bookstore distribution, and consignment.
Special Projects & Ads
What does it actually take to grow a literary magazine through smart advertising, special projects, and strategic campaigns — without a big budget? In this session, Laurie D. Graham, publisher of Brick: A Literary Journal, shares two decades of hands-on experience with practical strategies you can apply today.
Myths & Facts About Paper Sustainability
Paper is one of the few products on earth that already has an environmentally sustainable, circular life cycle. As misinformation around the environmental impact of paper continues to circulate, it’s important to recognize the significant progress made by the industry in creating a circular and sustainable fibre-based economy.
Read the fact sheet from Two Sides and Love Paper to learn why paper continues to play a vital role in a more sustainable future.
Template Publishing Series
Produced by AMPA, the Template publishing series is a must-have resource for people who want to start a magazine and make it work (it’s also great for veterans interested in a refresher).
It’s easy to follow and to the point, offering insight into legal matters, circulation, digital publishing and ad sales, showing how all of the pieces fit together to get a magazine into the hands of readers.
AMPA’s executive director is also available to answer your start-up questions and to point you in the right direction. Reach out at director@albertamagazines.com.
Access the Series Online
TINY TEMPLATE (2009): THE LAW EDITION
TINY TEMPLATE (2010): THE CIRCULATION EDITION
TINY TEMPLATE (2012): THE DIGITAL PUBLISHING EDITION
TINY TEMPLATE (2013): THE AD SALES EDITION
