Professional Profile
Versatile leader, publisher, editor, author, and writer dedicated to building and working in teams of committed professionals. A creative, analytical, and strategic thinker accustomed to an open communications style. Professional, flexible, system-oriented and process-driven, but goal-focused.
Relevant Professional History
- Executive Editor, ARP Books (Arbeiter Ring Publishing Ltd.), Current
- Owner/Arts & Culture Consultant, The Cultural Attaché, 2011 – 2016
- Program Consultant, Artspace Arts Management, 2012 – 2013
- General Manager, Virtuosi Concerts Inc., 2009 – 2011
- Managing Editor, Turnstone Press Ltd., 2001 – 2009
- Executive Director/Co-director, Assoc. of Manitoba Book Publishers, 1998 – 2001
- Editor/Editor, Prairie Books NOW, 1995 – 1999
Publications and Awards
- The Ravishing Corpse, Long-list 3-Day Novel Contest, March 2021
- “We’ve Burned,” 3rd Prize Winner, 14th Geist Postcard Story, October 2018
- “The Conditions of My Parole,” Prairie Fire Issue 4, 2010
- Winnipeg Arts Council Individual Artist “B” Grant, January 2008
- “I Really Liked It and You Liked It Too,” Front & Centre #6, April 2004
- “Scenes from a Spiteful Business,” CV2 Winner 2-Day Poem Contest, CV2 2003
- Manitoba Arts Council Writers “C” Grant, September 2001
- “Some Variation of No,” Winner sub-TERRAIN Short Fiction Contest, Summer 2000
- “You and Other Women,” CV2, Spring 1998
- “Could Superman Have Benefited From Isometric Exercise?,” Zygote, Summer, 1995
Education and Specialized Professional Development
- Business for the Arts, ArtsVest Sponsorship Training Workshops
- University of Winnipeg, Professional Studies, Manitoba Arts and Cultural Management Certificate
- Cultural Human Resources Council, Cultural Human Resource Management
- Erhard Associates, Managing and Leading in the Not-for-Profit Sector
- Lesley Ellen Harris’s E-course, Canadian Copyright Law
- Simon Fraser University, SFU Summer Book Publishing Immersion Workshop
- Red River College, Honours Diploma (Journalism), Creative Communications
Selected Self-directed Writing Professional Development
- Literary Citizenship for Introverts and Extroverts Alike, March 2023
- Negotiation Skills for Writers with Pia Owens, February 2023
- Get Your Writing Life Organized with Paulette Perhach, January 2023
- Short Story Writing for Publication with Elizabeth Sims, November 2022
- Maybe It’s Not Your Plot with Susan DeFreitas, June 2022
- 5 Steps to Airtight Plot with Tiffany Martin Yates, October 2021
- The Inside Outline with Jennie Nash, September 2021
- How to Self-Publish for First Timers with Jane Friedman, August 2021
- Effective Book Marketing for Any Author with Jane Friedman, August 2021
- Advanced Self-Editing Master Class with Roz Morris, April 2021
- This Is the Year You Finish Your Book with Jane Friedman, January 2021
- Blogging Strategies That Work in 2020 with Jane Friedman, October 2020
- Diversify Your Writing Income with Jane Friedman, June 2020
- Getting Your Book Into Libraries: Digital Distribution with Jane Friedman, May 2020
- One True Thing: Create a One-Page Strategic Plan to Finish Your Writing with Sage Cohen, May 2020
- Creating Income and Connecting with Readers Using Short Fiction with Mark Leslie Lefebvre, April 2020
Selected Volunteer, Community, and Professional Engagement
Board Leadership
- Board of Directors, eBound Canada, June 2022– Current
- Board of Directors, Secretary, Association of Canadian Publishers, 2019 – Current
- Executive Committee
- Hiring Committee, Executive Director
- Nominating and Governance Committee
- Chair, Bylaws Committee, Association of Manitoba Book Publishers, 2018 – 2021
- HR Committee, Association of Manitoba Book Publishers, 2018 – 2020
- Executive Committee, Prairie Book Now , 2018 – 2020
- Chair, Literary Distribution Co. (LitDistCo), 2018 – 2019
- Chair, Communications sub-committee, Manitobans for the Arts, 2013
- Chair, Literary Press Group, 2007 – 2009
- Founding Treasurer, Literary Distribution Co. (LitDistCo), 2006 – 2007
- Treasurer, Literary Press Group, 2005 – 2007
- Vice-President, Association of Canadian Publishers, 2005 – 2006
- Council Member, Association of Canadian Publishers, 2003 – 2006
- Advisory Board, Winnipeg International Writers Festival, 2001 – 2003
- Board Director, Winnipeg International Writers Festival, 1999 – 2001
- Treasurer, Artspace Inc., 2000 – 2001
- President, Manitoba Writers’ Guild, 1998 – 2000
- Board Director, Artspace Inc., 1997 – 1999
- Committee Member, Manitoba Book Awards, 1995 – 2000
- Board Director, Manitoba Writers’ Guild, 1995 – 1998
Peer Juries
- Juror, Saskatchewan Book Awards, Publisher Category, 2022
- Peer Assessor, Canada Council for the Arts Sector Innovation & Development, 2019
- Peer Assessor, Canada Council for the Arts Literary Publishing Projects, 2019
- Juror, Manitoba Arts Council Individual Support/Strengthen Program, 2018
- Peer Assessor, Canada Council for the Arts Sector Innovation & Development, 2018
- Peer Assessor, Canada Council for the Arts Literary Publishing Projects, 2018
- Juror, Manitoba Arts Council Individual Artist’s Travel Grant, 2017
- Peer Assessor, Canada Council for the Arts Literary Support Organizations, 2017
- Juror, Manitoba Arts Council Individual Artist’s Travel Grant, 2016
- Juror, Winnipeg Arts Council Project Grant, 2011
- Consultant, Canada Council for the Arts Block Grant Review Committee, 2006
- Juror, Canada Council for the Arts Cooperative Projects, 2003
- Juror, Alberta Book Awards, Trade Non-fiction Book of the Year, 2000
- Juror, Saskatchewan Book Awards, Book of the Year, 1999
- Juror, Saskatchewan Book Awards, Best First Book, 1999
Presentations, Facilitations & Interviews
- Panellist, Literary Press Group, Demystifying Grant Writing, March 2021
- Interviewer, Thin Air (WIWF) An Afternoon with Elaine Dewer, September 2017
- Presenter, Creative Manitoba, Basic Grant Writing for Writers, August 2014
- Presenter, Creative Manitoba, Basic Grant Writing for Writers, August 2013
- Presenter, Creative Manitoba, “With a Little Help from Your Friends” [Crowdfunding], February 2013
- Presenter, Creative Manitoba, “Digital Strategies for Analog Artists,” January 2013
- Facilitator, Creative Manitoba Advanced Grant Writing Summer Intensive, August 2012
- Presenter, Creative Manitoba Basic Grant Writing for Writers, February 2012
- Facilitator, Creative Manitoba Advanced Grant Writing Summer Intensive, August 2011
- Speaker, McNally Robinson Booksellers, “An Evening to Celebrate Author Michael Van Rooy,” March 2011
- Featured Reader, Aqua Books Anthology Reading Series, March 2010
- Reader, Prairie Fire: A Winnipeg Fiction Extravaganza, November 2009
- Panellist, Manitoba Writers Guild, “Making it as a Professional Writer,” AGM 2009
- Roundtable Participant, Literary Press Group Publishing, Stabilization Program, 2009
- Presenter, Literary Press Group, Competition Policy Review Panel, Formal Consultations, 2008
- Panellist, Writers’ Union of Canada, “The Editor’s View,” 2008
- Interviewee, Master Thesis, The Neoliberal Market & Contemporary Literary…, June 2008
- Panellist, Manitoba Editors’ Association, “Editing Books: A Panel with the Pros,” AGM 2006
- Interviewee, Mystery Ink Television, April 2005
- Facilitator, Manitoba Book Awards Juries (AMBP), 1998 – 2001
- Interviewee, Winnipeg Free Press, Various
- Interviewee, Quill & Quire, Various
Other
- Grant Writing Mentor, Literary Press Group, 2021
- Canadian Delegate, IV Programme/International Festival of Authors, 2017
- Mentor, Creative Manitoba Youth Mentorship Program in the Arts, 2009
-30-
All material, unless otherwise noted, Copyright © Todd Besant. All rights reserved.
Photo credit: The Marmot on VisualHunt.com
Comments closed