Book Publishing Production Grant - Book Publishers' Stream - Assessment Criteria

The Book Publishers’ Production Grant assists in the production and marketing of titles intended for commercial release. All criteria are assessed internally by Creative Saskatchewan.

The Assessment Criteria was approved on April 1, 2024 for the 2024-25 Fiscal Year. Any amendments made after the fact will be posted here:

• April 19, 2024 – A duplication of the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility section was removed.

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Phase One: Application Completeness

Applications must meet all Phase One criteria to be deemed complete and move on to the assessment panel for review. These criteria are assessed internally by Creative Saskatchewan staff.

The Budget (yes/no)

A complete budget, using the Creative Saskatchewan budget template, has been uploaded to the application.

Budget Backup (yes/no)

The applicant has included budget backup for more than 50% of line items over $500.

Project Financing (yes/no)

The project financial structure in the project budget template is complete. The applicant has listed pending or confirmed funding sources for the remaining 50%+ of the project budget that Creative Saskatchewan does not support.

Expense Eligibility (yes/no)

The majority of project expenses are eligible according to program guidelines. If ineligible expenses exceed 50% of the total project budget, the whole application will be deemed ineligible.

The Travel Itinerary (yes, no, or not applicable)

If travel is part of the project budget a complete travel itinerary, using the Creative Saskatchewan travel itinerary template, has been uploaded to the application.

Resumes, CVs or bios have been provided for all Saskatchewan travellers (yes, no, or not applicable)

Industry-Relevant Resumes, Bios and CVs (yes/no)

An industry-relevant resume, bio and/or CV has been uploaded for the applicant or applicant company.

Phase Two: Application Material Assessment

Demonstrated net sales of own titles in the previous 24 months (from application submission date) /6

Evidence of sales (audited financial statements, review engagements, or bank statements) must be included to receive points:

This criterion is assessed by Creative Saskatchewan based upon the rubric below: 

Demonstrated Market Reach /3

Distribution agreements (fully executed and unexpired) or distribution lists must be provided to receive these points:

This criterion is assessed by Creative Saskatchewan based on the rubric below: 

Number of titles produced over  the previous 24 months (from application submission date) /3

This criterion is assessed by Creative Saskatchewan based on the rubric below: 

Intellectual Property Development /2

Demonstration that properties have been exploited in other platforms within 12 months of application submission date (eBooks do not qualify). Evidence of IP Development (option agreements, links to platforms, etc.) must be provided to receive these points.

1 point per platform, to a maximum of 2 points.

• Audiobooks
• Film/TV or Interactive Digital options
• Educational guides

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility /6

Up to four will be awarded based upon the percentage of authors of the titles being applied for that identify as part of the following equity-seeking groups:

• Indigenous (First Nations, Inuit, Métis);
• Person from a racialized group;
• a Newcomer to Canada;
• Someone who lives in a northern (North of Prince Albert), rural, or small urban community (outside of Regina and Saskatoon);
• Person with a disability or disabled; and/or
• LGBTQIA2S+

Two bonus points will be awarded if a key team member identifies as any of the following:

• Indigenous (First Nations, Inuit, Métis);
• Person from a racialized group;
• a Newcomer to Canada;
• Someone who lives in a northern (North of Prince Albert), rural, or small urban community (outside of Regina and Saskatoon);
• Person with a disability or disabled; and/or
• LGBTQIA2S+

A key team member is defined as a Saskatchewan resident who has significant influence over the creative, production, marketing plan and/or business plan and is compensated in the project budget at $500 or more.

The Diversity Declaration form, available on the Grant Management System’s Templates & Additional Materials page, must be completed and submitted to score these bonus points. This criterion is assessed internally by Creative Saskatchewan. 

Total – /20

Funding allocations based on awarded points:

• 14 to 20 points: Maximum Creative Saskatchewan grant participation: $40,000 or 50% of the approved budget, whichever amount is less.
• 10 to 13 points: Maximum Creative Saskatchewan grant participation: $40,000 or 35% of the approved budget, whichever amount is less.
• Less than 9 points: Maximum Creative Saskatchewan grant participation: $40,000 or 25% of the approved budget, whichever amount is less.