Open for Business: Largest Canadian Online Bookstore

Canadian author Peter C. Newman today helped launch ChaptersGLOBE.com, Canada’s newest and largest online bookstore.

Among its selection of 2.9 million international titles, the Web site alliance between Chapters and The Globe and Mail newspaper contains an unprecedented selection of Canadian titles.

Books are be sourced from Canadian distributors and publishers to support the Canadian book industry. All books are sold in Canadian dollars–a distinct advantage over purchases from the U.S.–and many are discounted by up to 40 percent. Books will be shipped from Chapters’ new distribution center, one of the largest book warehouse facilities in North America.

Additional site content includes biographies on nearly 20,000 authors, a comprehensive literary awards listing, editorial ranging from daily book-related news to book reviews spanning the last 20 years, audio clips of author interviews and readings and online discussion forums.

ChaptersGLOBE.com’s technology partners include: AT&T Canada, hosting the site; Compaq, providing servers and other hardware; and Microsoft, providing back office technology.

Peter Newman, author of such titles as The Canadian Establishment and The Canadian Revolution, officially launched the site.

“This new Web site allows this country’s readers and writers to meet and greet electronically,” said Newman. “It’s an essential step in expanding Canadian literature’s mandate and audience.”