AJAs 2024 Finalists
Atlantic Books Today #100
| Slug/Label | 100th Edition |
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| Date Aired or Published | November 2024 |
| Media outlet where first aired or published: | Atlantic Books Today |
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| Location: | Atlantic Canada (Halifax) |
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Short explanation of the story and how it developed: In fall 2024, Atlantic Books Today, the flagship magazine showcasing the best of Atlantic Canadian literature, proudly launched its 100th issue—a celebration of the region’s vibrant publishing heritage, diverse literary voices, and cultural contributions. Since its inception, ABT has been dedicated to promoting and amplifying Atlantic Canadian authors, publishers, and stories that matter. This commemorative issue features a curated selection of 100 new books, representing the diverse and powerful storytelling that has shaped the literary landscape of Atlantic Canada. This 100th issue celebrates both the magazine's history and the vibrant literary culture it represents. Gracing our cover is the gorgeous art of Ed Roche, who has made it his life’s work to capture the beauty of Newfoundland and Labrador on canvas. His new book Four Seasons: The Art of Ed Roche takes you on a visual journey across NL as it transitions through the seasons, showcasing fifty of his favourite pieces. This image is “a three-masted schooner locked in the ice in Trinity Harbour. As it would have looked around 1900.” The rugged coastline, traditional schooner, and colourful houses are iconic to Atlantic Canada, a symbolic visual with a sense of nostalgia, an image fit for paying homage to the rich literary heritage of Atlantic Canada. The image is also appropriate for the season with a lovely brightness. Reaching our 100th issue was a significant milestone not just for our organization, but for the entire Atlantic Canadian literary community. This issue reflects the heart and soul of the region’s storytelling and the publishers who have been key to preserving and celebrating our voices. It’s a moment to honour our past while looking ahead to the future of Atlantic literature. Producing a coffee-table-worthy cover was a priority. To mark the occasion of our 100th issue, we've upgraded to a higher-quality paper stock, giving the commemorative issue a noticeably elevated look and feel. |
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Resources of the newsroom (money and time) available to complete the story: Atlantic Books Today is published by the non-profit Atlantic Publishers Marketing Association. We are a small office with limited funds (no budget for a photo shoot). We try to source our covers from Atlantic books published by our members. When it was time for production and publication for this issue, we were down an Executive Director, the past editor had resigned and a new administrator only started mid-way through production. Project Coordinator (and past managing editor of the magazine) Heather Fegan (the only staff member) stepped into the Editor role to ensure this 100th issue was produced and it launched on time in the fall of 2024, just in time for holiday shopping season. Together with an advisory committee, local freelance writers and our designer we pulled together one of our best issues yet. |
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