About us

Hancock House Publishers

Company History

Hancock House started publishing under the name imprint of the Hancock Wildlife Conservation Center in the late 1960's, with Hancock House Publishers starting around 1971 and incorporated in 1975. Since that time we have largely focused on topics relevant to the Pacific Northwest- our core area of interest. 

David Hancock started the publishing venture by building on the distribution system first initiated to sell his own authored books that accompanied his documentary film production. In the earlier days we operated from warehouses in Alberta, Ontario, Connecticut and Seattle as well as in the Victoria area. ?During the early 1980's we operated a wholesale and remainder book division that focused on the sale of all western titles, and had the valuable experience of starting three bookstores. After about five years of these related activities, each of which was initiated to further the sales of our published titles, we refocused exclusively on the publishing program. Later, with improved courier systems we consolidated our distribution for Canada from Surrey, BC, and for the U.S. from Blaine, WA. By 1997, we had developed a meaningful web presence to support the international direct mail marketing of an expansion into major natural history books. In more recent years we have focused our efforts on expanding our existing genres as well as exploring new ones.

Part of our company vision is to be net positive force in the world- from a philosophical, publishing and environmental perspective.

The commitment of a percentage of revenues to the Hancock Wildlife Foundation to further foster and engage conservation education is part of our long-term plans on leaving a positive impact both locally, regionally and abroad.

Publishing Specialization

From the beginning Hancock House focus has been on non-fiction, regional titles, emphasizing western and northern history and biographies, indigenous art and culture, natural history, wildlife and folklore. Through the years, we have established an international reputation on specialized niche topics such as cryptozoology, falconry and Canadiana, among others. We continue to seek to define ourselves through exploring related and emerging genres. 

In-house Operations & Distributions

Hancock House Publishers manages all its own pre-press production, including editing, layout, typesetting, and design, as well as undertaking it's own marketing and promotions, sales, and distributions. Along with its busy  web and direct mail sales efforts, Hancock House titles are available through a wide distribution of trade accounts and rack accounts along the Pacific coast and into BC, Alberta, and Alaska.

Our titles are carried throughout the North American trade, library and wholesale markets through University of Toronto Press Distribution, in the UK and Western Europe through Gazelle Book Services as well as other international partners.

Acknowledgements

Hancock House acknowledges the financial support of the Government of Canada through the Book Publishing Industry Development Program (BPIDP) for its publishing activities.

OUR MISSION

To produce and disseminate quality and relevant information pertaining to the history, culture and ecology of the Pacific Northwest, and leave a lasting and positive impression on both our readers and our environment.