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Essay Type: publishing
Essay Date: 2016
THE NUNAGA PUBLISHING STORY
In 1972 British Columbia there were only a few book publishing companies, and the thriving writer and publishing community we know today was just beginning. History was a cornerstone topic for many of the existing and new publishing companies of that time. So it was that co-authors Mary Trainer, Brian Antonson and Rick Antonson published their book In Search of a Legend; Slumach’s Gold under the imprint In Search of a Legend (ISOAL). They soon formalized their co-founded company, based in New Westminster, B.C., naming it Nunaga Publishing (after an Inuit word meaning “My land, My country”). In 1973 they published their first “other author” book, Alan Woodland’s New Westminster, The Early Years 1858 to 1898.
A COMPLETE LIST AND TIMELINES FOR NUNAGA-RELATED TITLES (ISBNs were not assigned to the earliest titles):
1972
In Search of a Legend, Slumach’s Gold, Rick Antonson, Mary Trainer, Brian Antonson
1973
New Westminster: The Early Years 1858 -1898, Alan Woodland
Antonson, Trainer and Antonson researched, produced and distributed an historical map of the Tulameen-Princeton region of British Columbia.
1974
East Kootenay Saga, David Scott and Edna H. Hanic
The Danube Caper of Cornelius Burke, Cornelius Burke
All of it was Fun, Sue Sturrock
Hiking the High Points; A Guide to Hikes in the Interior of British Columbia, Roland Neave
British Columbia Canoe Routes, Canoe Sport British Columbia
ISBN 0-919900-02-X
In 1974 the three partners bought Canadian Frontier magazine (ISSN 0315-0062), publishing the Fall Issue of that year.
1975
Prison Doctor, Dr. Guy Richmond
ISBN 0-919900-08-9
A Seagull’s Cry, Maud Emery
ISBN 0-919900-10-X
Highrise Horticulture, David Tarrant
ISBN 0-919900-09-7
Published two 1975 issues of Canadian Frontier magazine
ISSN 0315-0062. After publishing a total of three issues as a magazine, they converted the format into an annual book, beginning 1976.
Nunaga also distributed titles for other publishers. One such “distributed book” which was very helpful to the company’s exposure and wellbeing was the British Columbia Recreational Atlas from the B.C. government’s Department of Recreation and Conservation. It sold over 25,000 copies.
1976
During 1976, after publishing many books together, Mary decided to concentrate on other aspects of her life and Rick purchased her 1/3rd partnership in the company.
Spatsizi, T. A. (Tommy) Walker
ISBN 0-919900-13-5
Jean Pauline, An Indian Tragedy, Maud Emery
ISBN 0-919900-16-X
British Columbia Cross-country Ski Routes, Richard Wright & Rochelle Wright
ISBN 0-919900-15-1
Canadian Frontier Annual, Edited by Brian Antonson
ISBN 0-919900-14-3
1977
In 1977 the company was renamed Antonson Publishing.
Eating Wild Plants, Kim Williams
ISBN 8-87842-065-7
Canoe Routes Yukon Territory, Richard Wright & Rochelle Wright
ISBN 0-919900-22-4
Canoe Routes British Columbia, Richard Wright & Rochelle Wright
ISBN 0919900-20-8
Canadian Frontier Annual, Edited by Brian Antonson and Gordon Stewart
ISBN 0-919900-24-0
1978
Westering, Richard Thomas Wright
ISBN 0-919900-31-3
Shadows of a Violent Mind, Dr. Guy Richmond
ISBN 0-919900-29-1
Vancouver Defended, Peter N. Moogk
ISBN 0-919900-26-7
Rocks, Ice & Water, David D. Alt and Donald W. Hyndman
ISBN 0-87842-041-X
Canadian Frontier Annual, Edited by Gordon Stewart and Brian Antonson, (introduction by George Woodcock)
ISBN 0-919900-30-5
1979
Great Stories from the Canadian Frontier, Edited by Gordon Stewart and Brian Antonson
ISBN 0-919900-35-6
In 1979 the company’s list was sold to Douglas & McIntyre in Vancouver, B.C. At the time, the three co-founders had chosen to pursue their individual careers, Mary in communications, Brian in broadcasting and broadcast education, and Rick in tourism and publishing.
In 1972 British Columbia there were only a few book publishing companies, and the thriving writer and publishing community we know today was just beginning. History was a cornerstone topic for many of the existing and new publishing companies of that time. So it was that co-authors Mary Trainer, Brian Antonson and Rick Antonson published their book In Search of a Legend; Slumach’s Gold under the imprint In Search of a Legend (ISOAL). They soon formalized their co-founded company, based in New Westminster, B.C., naming it Nunaga Publishing (after an Inuit word meaning “My land, My country”). In 1973 they published their first “other author” book, Alan Woodland’s New Westminster, The Early Years 1858 to 1898.
A COMPLETE LIST AND TIMELINES FOR NUNAGA-RELATED TITLES (ISBNs were not assigned to the earliest titles):
1972
In Search of a Legend, Slumach’s Gold, Rick Antonson, Mary Trainer, Brian Antonson
1973
New Westminster: The Early Years 1858 -1898, Alan Woodland
Antonson, Trainer and Antonson researched, produced and distributed an historical map of the Tulameen-Princeton region of British Columbia.
1974
East Kootenay Saga, David Scott and Edna H. Hanic
The Danube Caper of Cornelius Burke, Cornelius Burke
All of it was Fun, Sue Sturrock
Hiking the High Points; A Guide to Hikes in the Interior of British Columbia, Roland Neave
British Columbia Canoe Routes, Canoe Sport British Columbia
ISBN 0-919900-02-X
In 1974 the three partners bought Canadian Frontier magazine (ISSN 0315-0062), publishing the Fall Issue of that year.
1975
Prison Doctor, Dr. Guy Richmond
ISBN 0-919900-08-9
A Seagull’s Cry, Maud Emery
ISBN 0-919900-10-X
Highrise Horticulture, David Tarrant
ISBN 0-919900-09-7
Published two 1975 issues of Canadian Frontier magazine
ISSN 0315-0062. After publishing a total of three issues as a magazine, they converted the format into an annual book, beginning 1976.
Nunaga also distributed titles for other publishers. One such “distributed book” which was very helpful to the company’s exposure and wellbeing was the British Columbia Recreational Atlas from the B.C. government’s Department of Recreation and Conservation. It sold over 25,000 copies.
1976
During 1976, after publishing many books together, Mary decided to concentrate on other aspects of her life and Rick purchased her 1/3rd partnership in the company.
Spatsizi, T. A. (Tommy) Walker
ISBN 0-919900-13-5
Jean Pauline, An Indian Tragedy, Maud Emery
ISBN 0-919900-16-X
British Columbia Cross-country Ski Routes, Richard Wright & Rochelle Wright
ISBN 0-919900-15-1
Canadian Frontier Annual, Edited by Brian Antonson
ISBN 0-919900-14-3
1977
In 1977 the company was renamed Antonson Publishing.
Eating Wild Plants, Kim Williams
ISBN 8-87842-065-7
Canoe Routes Yukon Territory, Richard Wright & Rochelle Wright
ISBN 0-919900-22-4
Canoe Routes British Columbia, Richard Wright & Rochelle Wright
ISBN 0919900-20-8
Canadian Frontier Annual, Edited by Brian Antonson and Gordon Stewart
ISBN 0-919900-24-0
1978
Westering, Richard Thomas Wright
ISBN 0-919900-31-3
Shadows of a Violent Mind, Dr. Guy Richmond
ISBN 0-919900-29-1
Vancouver Defended, Peter N. Moogk
ISBN 0-919900-26-7
Rocks, Ice & Water, David D. Alt and Donald W. Hyndman
ISBN 0-87842-041-X
Canadian Frontier Annual, Edited by Gordon Stewart and Brian Antonson, (introduction by George Woodcock)
ISBN 0-919900-30-5
1979
Great Stories from the Canadian Frontier, Edited by Gordon Stewart and Brian Antonson
ISBN 0-919900-35-6
In 1979 the company’s list was sold to Douglas & McIntyre in Vancouver, B.C. At the time, the three co-founders had chosen to pursue their individual careers, Mary in communications, Brian in broadcasting and broadcast education, and Rick in tourism and publishing.
