Hamish Cameron, vice-president of distribution for University of Toronto Press, has been recognized with the 2020 Janice E. Handford Award. The award, which is presented by the Ontario Book Publishers Organization, celebrates a person who has advocated for Canada’s small literary presses.

Cameron has worked with the University of Toronto Press for 31 years, and currently oversees distribution for 70 publishers and imprints. He was a force in founding the OBPO in 1990, and served both as executive director for the Association of Canadian Publishers and as trade editor at Q&Q.

Cameron was chosen by a jury that included Margie Wolfe, publisher at Second Story Press; Jeff Miller, publisher at Irwin Law; Carolyn Wood, former ACP executive director; Bill Harnum, director of publications at the Pontifical Institute for Medieval Studies; and Jay Millar, publisher at Book*hug Press.

“As one of his very many, smaller publisher clients I am also aware that we can be a pain in the ass – demanding, always wanting everything ‘better,’” Wolfe said in a statement. “With calm and generosity of spirit Hamish listens, knowing that we worry about maintaining survival and viability, and then does his best to help.”

The award has been presented since 1997. Previous recipients have included Alana Wilcox, editorial director at Coach House Books; Tim Inkster, publisher at The Porcupine’s Quill; and Kirk Howard, founder of Dundurn Press.