Although we are published only on Kindle at present, it is a sad note. One can only hope it won't shake out that one or two giant publishers survive and no Canadians are among them...
Key Porter Books says it has temporarily suspended publishing operations at 14:26 on January 07, 2011, EST.
By Victoria Ahearn, The Canadian Press
Key Porter Books says it has temporarily suspended publishing operations.The company said in a statement that it is considering a "number of restructuring options."
The company said in a statement that it is considering a "number of restructuring options."
One such option would be the sale of some titles in its Canadian catalogue, it said.
Key Porter has represented authors including Margaret Atwood, Joan Barfoot, Conrad Black and Farley Mowat.
Word of possible trouble at the beleaguered publishing company began spreading online earlier this week.
Ottawa author Mark Bourrie went public with an email he received from publisher Jordan Fenn, stating this his new book, "The Fog of War," would not be released as scheduled on Jan. 25.
Fenn said "a significant breakdown in communication" resulting in Bourrie not being notified that publication of his book was on hold.
In September, Key Porter had to lay off almost two-thirds of its staff.
Harold B. Fenn, chair of Key Porter's parent company, H.B. Fenn and Co., said at the time that they made "no secret of the lack of sales success" it recently had.
But he insisted he didn't see Key Porter closing for good and Tom Best, vice-president of marketing, said reports the company was going bankrupt were "absolutely false."
Only six staffers remained at that point and were moved from a Toronto office to H.B. Fenn headquarters in Bolton, Ont.
Key Porter Books was founded as a joint venture of Anna Porter and Key Publishers in 1979 and incorporated in 1984.
H.B. Fenn acquired controlling interest of Key Porter Books in July 2004.
It has published about 100 titles per year and has over 500 titles in print.
©The Canadian Press, 2011
Key Porter Books says it has temporarily suspended publishing operations at 14:26 on January 07, 2011, EST.
By Victoria Ahearn, The Canadian Press
Key Porter Books says it has temporarily suspended publishing operations.The company said in a statement that it is considering a "number of restructuring options."
The company said in a statement that it is considering a "number of restructuring options."
One such option would be the sale of some titles in its Canadian catalogue, it said.
Key Porter has represented authors including Margaret Atwood, Joan Barfoot, Conrad Black and Farley Mowat.
Word of possible trouble at the beleaguered publishing company began spreading online earlier this week.
Ottawa author Mark Bourrie went public with an email he received from publisher Jordan Fenn, stating this his new book, "The Fog of War," would not be released as scheduled on Jan. 25.
Fenn said "a significant breakdown in communication" resulting in Bourrie not being notified that publication of his book was on hold.
In September, Key Porter had to lay off almost two-thirds of its staff.
Harold B. Fenn, chair of Key Porter's parent company, H.B. Fenn and Co., said at the time that they made "no secret of the lack of sales success" it recently had.
But he insisted he didn't see Key Porter closing for good and Tom Best, vice-president of marketing, said reports the company was going bankrupt were "absolutely false."
Only six staffers remained at that point and were moved from a Toronto office to H.B. Fenn headquarters in Bolton, Ont.
Key Porter Books was founded as a joint venture of Anna Porter and Key Publishers in 1979 and incorporated in 1984.
H.B. Fenn acquired controlling interest of Key Porter Books in July 2004.
It has published about 100 titles per year and has over 500 titles in print.
©The Canadian Press, 2011
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