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Jim Douglas Award
BC PUBLISHERS HONOUR KARL SIEGLER, PUBLISHER, NATIONALIST, ACTIVIST
There is not a publishing organization in the country that hasn't been influenced by Karl Siegler's considerable intellect, analytical skills and involvement in public policy issues as they pertain to the book industry. As a co-founder of the Association of Book Publishers of BC (ABPBC) and publisher of Talonbooks, Karl put these talents to work for the association as its president from 1975-77 and again in 1981 when he wrote many policy documents, which led to important programs such as the BC Arts Council's Block Funding for Publishers, which continues to support cultural publishing in the province, and the Library Book Purchase Plan, which ran successfully for two decades. He further contributed to the publishing life of the province as a founding member of the Board of Directors of SFU's Canadian Centre for Studies in Publishing and the Master of Publishing Program. On the national stage, Karl was twice the President of the Association of Canadian Publishers and co-founded the Literary Press Group, serving as its chair for several terms.
The ABPBC will present the eighth annual Gray Campbell Distinguished Service Award to Karl Siegler for his outstanding contribution to the book industry in British Columbia on April 12, 2007 at a dinner to honour him.
Committed and passionate publisher of award-winning literary, scholarly and ethnographic titles; commanding orator; fervent nationalist; consultant; writer of voluminous briefs and papers on such subjects as aboriginal publishing, consolidation in the industry and book publishing's place in the national culture, Karl has become an iconic figure in the Canadian publishing landscape. His hard-drinking (coffee) and chain-smoking presence graced many an industry gathering over the years inspiring fear and awe, as well as anger and respect. Whether one agrees with his positions or not, his voice represents a heartfelt belief in the importance of cultural publishing and a determination to ensure the Canadian publishing industry remains healthy and vibrant.
Behind the public, Teutonic persona, however, Karl runs a family business with his life-long partner Christy supporting him and taking an equal role in the success of Talonbooks. It is impossible to image Karl Siegler without imagining the quiet, intelligent presence of Christy Siegler. One can imagine, however, the other personae that emerge from a résumé filled with contributions to our community: one, as a welder and cutter for Hayes Trucks, and the other, as writer of Prehistoric, Classical, Medieval, Ethnic and Aboriginal forms and subjects and their relation to post modern forms of North American literature. Somehow this all makes sense.
It is with great pleasure that the ABPBC presents this long-overdue acknowledgement of the contribution of publisher Karl Siegler to all our publishing lives.
-- Margaret Reynolds, Executive Director, Association of Book Publishers of B.C.
There is not a publishing organization in the country that hasn't been influenced by Karl Siegler's considerable intellect, analytical skills and involvement in public policy issues as they pertain to the book industry. As a co-founder of the Association of Book Publishers of BC (ABPBC) and publisher of Talonbooks, Karl put these talents to work for the association as its president from 1975-77 and again in 1981 when he wrote many policy documents, which led to important programs such as the BC Arts Council's Block Funding for Publishers, which continues to support cultural publishing in the province, and the Library Book Purchase Plan, which ran successfully for two decades. He further contributed to the publishing life of the province as a founding member of the Board of Directors of SFU's Canadian Centre for Studies in Publishing and the Master of Publishing Program. On the national stage, Karl was twice the President of the Association of Canadian Publishers and co-founded the Literary Press Group, serving as its chair for several terms.
The ABPBC will present the eighth annual Gray Campbell Distinguished Service Award to Karl Siegler for his outstanding contribution to the book industry in British Columbia on April 12, 2007 at a dinner to honour him.
Committed and passionate publisher of award-winning literary, scholarly and ethnographic titles; commanding orator; fervent nationalist; consultant; writer of voluminous briefs and papers on such subjects as aboriginal publishing, consolidation in the industry and book publishing's place in the national culture, Karl has become an iconic figure in the Canadian publishing landscape. His hard-drinking (coffee) and chain-smoking presence graced many an industry gathering over the years inspiring fear and awe, as well as anger and respect. Whether one agrees with his positions or not, his voice represents a heartfelt belief in the importance of cultural publishing and a determination to ensure the Canadian publishing industry remains healthy and vibrant.
Behind the public, Teutonic persona, however, Karl runs a family business with his life-long partner Christy supporting him and taking an equal role in the success of Talonbooks. It is impossible to image Karl Siegler without imagining the quiet, intelligent presence of Christy Siegler. One can imagine, however, the other personae that emerge from a résumé filled with contributions to our community: one, as a welder and cutter for Hayes Trucks, and the other, as writer of Prehistoric, Classical, Medieval, Ethnic and Aboriginal forms and subjects and their relation to post modern forms of North American literature. Somehow this all makes sense.
It is with great pleasure that the ABPBC presents this long-overdue acknowledgement of the contribution of publisher Karl Siegler to all our publishing lives.
-- Margaret Reynolds, Executive Director, Association of Book Publishers of B.C.
Submitted on April 4, 2007 in By David.
