Book Publishing Production Grant - Author Funded Stream - Assessment Criteria

The Author-Funded Book Production Grant supports self-publishers or publishers working with Saskatchewan authors to produce and market a book.

The Assessment Criteria was approved on April 1, 2023 for the 2023-24 Fiscal Year. Any amendments made after the fact will be posted here:

• No changes to date.

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1. Marketing Plan and Strategy /25

Provide a detailed description of the demographic and location of your demonstrated market reach and target market. List the tools and strategies you will use to promote the book(s) being applied for and describe the team you’ve put together to implement the marketing strategy. The marketing strategy must align with the content of the book(s).

This criterion is assessed by external reviewers.

2. The Team /10

• Past Success of Applicant and Strength of Project Team /5
  • Demonstrated past successes and achievements by yourself and/or your company. Provide evidence of awards, media attention, recognition, etc. Remember to include industry-relevant resumes or bios for team members in the Upload files tab.
  • This criterion is assessed by external reviewers.
• Collaboration with Saskatchewan third-party professional service providers /5
  • Saskatchewan editors, graphic designers, publicists, marketing professionals, and/or printing presses have been contracted for the project. Bios and/or quotes need to be uploaded to your application in order to receive points. Each calculation is based on the amount going to Saskatchewan third-party service providers divided by the total eligible expenses before the admin fee.
  • 10% to 14% = 1 point
  • 15% to 19% = 2 points
  • 20% to 24% = 3 points
  • 25% to 29% = 4 points
  • 30% or more = 5 points
  • This criterion is assessed internally by Creative Saskatchewan.

3. Return on Investment /11

• What is your realistic return on investment? /11
  • For example: expected revenue; expected increase in web traffic; expected increase in traction on social media, reviews, events, blog posts, etc.; increasing outreach to a target market and/or increase in newsletter audience.
  • This criterion is assessed by external reviewers.

Total / 46

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4. Budget and Financing /5

Projects with third-party investment will automatically receive the following points. Agreements need to be uploaded to your application in order to receive points.

• 10% to 14% = 1 point
• 15% to 19% = 2 points
• 20% to 24% = 3 points
• 25% to 29% = 4 points
• 30% or more = 5 points

This criterion is assessed internally by Creative Saskatchewan.

5. Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, and Parity /2

Please note if the author and/or publisher self-identifies as Indigenous (First Nations, Inuit, Métis), a visible minority, or disabled.

• 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.

This criterion is assessed internally by Creative Saskatchewan.