Carol Martin has played an influential role in the development of the Canadian publishing industry. Co-founder of a publishing house, she was an early champion of Canadian writers and co-founded, more than 50 years ago, the first all-Canadian book-of-the-month club to help promote their works. As well, she played a seminal role in founding the Association of Canadian Publishers and the Canadian Children’s Book Centre, both key advocacy organizations. Revered as a mentor, she has also written several non-fiction historical books.