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Defining Canada Renewed

You may have noticed that Defining Canada has been changing in very subtle ways over the past few weeks.  You may have even noticed over the past couple of days that the look of the website is totally different!  Well we’ve finally launched a completely new look for Defining Canada.  We’re very enthusiastic about this new look as we make Defining Canada even better.

The Original Idea

The question of identity has run across our minds as individuals and as Canadians.  When we first started Defining Canada as a blog more than a year ago, we decided on its name based on the fact that we at Dundurn have been publishing Canadian stories.  We came to the realization that Canadian stories, whether they are based on historical facts or brought into a fictional tale through an author’s experience, are the key to defining ourselves.  These are all an interpretation of how we see our Canada.

What better way to continue to contribute to the act of defining Canada and ourselves as the individuals than to create a site that would not just showcase the stories and work that we put in, but provide a platform for which different voices can be heard on a day-to-day basis.  Thus, began our initiative to bring everyone on board to blog with us!

One Thing

That said, keep in mind that a lot of the older content does not necessarily mesh well with the new look so please forgive the slightly odd behaviour while you read certain blog postings.  Forthcoming content shouldn’t be a problem.

The Future is Here – What’s After?

Just a handful of the new things you’ll notice are:

• The new events calendar so that you can find out what’s happening with ease.
• New sections for featured articles — stuff we really think you should check out — and for authors in action, to feature all the exciting things that Dundurn’s authors are doing in part to help define this country.
• MANY new subscription-based newsletters — you get to decide what you want to hear about!  Sign up and tell your friends, family, colleagues, and even your next door neighbour to sign up as well!  There will be monthly prize packs beginning in October.  We all love prize packs.
• RSS feeds for all the different categories.  If you like mysteries — you can have the opportunity to filter out everything else and only hear us talk when there’s something mystery-related.
• Make sure you also follow us on Twitter to hear about the minor details (it’s like microblogging)!
• If you really really like what we’re doing here, join us on the Defining Canada Fan Page!
• Related articles — we may suggest articles that may be of interest to you depending on what you are currently reading on the website.  Of course this still requires some tweaking.
• We want your input — tell us what you think using our new forum for feedback.  Have something on your mind?  This is the perfect place.

I can keep going but I’ll stop because you probably just want to start scouring through the site.  Thanks for visiting again and as always, feel welcome to tell us if you feel we are missing something and should add it.

© 2008 Defining Canada.