Some Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Cobalt?
Cobalt, Ontario, Canada is a historic town credited with the emergence of the Canadian mining industry over one hundred years ago. Our new home at 50 Silver Street, Cobalt, ON pictured on the right, is actually located on the main floor of the old Coniagas Mine head frame #4 in the heart of downtown Cobalt. 
The famous Fraser Hotel is across the side street. 157 km (two hours driving) north of North Bay or 540 km (six hours driving) north of Toronto, Ontario Canada.
We are still more than an hour south of the 49th parallel that divides most of the United States and Canada.
Does this affect my shipping rates?
No it does not. We have averaged shipping costs to the rest of Canada and the United States. Of course, if you visit the store there are no shipping costs.
How long has White Mountain Publications been publishing books?
Our corporation has existed since 1982, but we haven't always published as our main business. Since 1992 the publishing arm has produced over 300 titles, and continues to grow, especially with your support.
Who runs White Mountain Publications?
Deborah Ranchuk was born in southwestern Ontario, Canada. She moved to St. Catharines (ON) to attend and eventually graduate from Brock University (B.A.) She served on the National Executive for the Canadian Authors Association from 1991 to 2005, serving as CAA National Treasurer 1998-2005. In July 2003 she became the 36th recipient of the Canadian Authors Association's Alan Sangster Award for service. Member of the Bahá'í Faith since 1980, she served on the St. Catharines (ON) Spiritual Assembly for 13 of those years before moving to New Liskeard in 1995. The move to open the store in Cobalt in 2014 was a way to further share her love of books.
How long have you been online?
We have been online since 1992; the website has undergone many changes since its inception in 1997. Yes we were here selling books before Google, before Amazon.
What is the Canadian Writer's Contest Calendar?
Since 2003 we have published the Canadian Writer's Contest Calendar. This annual publication lists Canadian writing contests and book awards by deadline date. It contains full contest information and submission information, as well as contact links to verify updates. More information and links to the current index of contest names and more information available here.
Do you accept credit cards?
We are absolutely paranoid about credit card information. So if you call an order in to the store, use your credit card for an order, please know that as soon as payment for the order is completed, the numbers are shredded. We do NOT keep any card numbers here.
Since Nov 16, 2009, we accept MasterCard and Visa at the office, either by phone or by mail. Add your choices to our new (2019) shopping cart and you have a choice of using your credit card or PayPal®, the tax (if applicable) and shipping is added and then you can pay for all of it with one transaction in the currency of your choice. PayPal® does not require that you open an account with them in order to process your payment, although you do have that option at the end of the process. We have used PayPal® since Oct 18, 2003 with only two tiny problems in thousands of transactions.
We accept email payments through the Canadian online banking system. Information is on the order form.
When is the best time to contact you?
BY PHONE: Weekdays between 10:00 am and 5:00 pm Eastern Standard Time (Eastern Daylight Savings Time if it's summer) is the best time. Keep in mind that some Canadian holidays are different dates than other countries. We are closed on Bahá'í Holy Days, and Canadian civic holidays.
BY EMAIL: Email us We generally check email once a day in the early morning. If it's urgent, phone us.
Contact information has been collected in this easy-to-print, PDF format file. Our contact page has full details.
Do you accept manuscript submissions? (I have a manuscript I'd like you to consider publishing...)
I direct you to our new Writer's Guidelines page. Query before sending manuscripts to White Mountain Publications. Please know we are very few people having a lot of fun, and doing a great deal of work here, so we ask your patience waiting for a reply.
What is the difference between printing and publishing?
This is covered in our information on contract publishing.
If you have other questions you would like answered, let me know what they are.