Tonya Martin began her publishing journey in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where she earned a BA in Communications/Journalism from Temple University (with a minor in African-American Literature). While in Philadelphia, she worked in production at Temple University Press and later as an editor at Current Science, a UK-based medical publisher. Tonya then landed in New York City and the children’s book publishing world there, where she is best known for her work at Scholastic Incorporated, which included three of K.A. Applegate’s top-selling series (Animorphs, Everworld, and Remnants), R.L Stine’s Give Yourself Goosebumps franchise, and The Ripley’s Believe it or Not! license.

During her time in the Canadian book-publishing world, Tonya was Editorial Director of Children’s Books at Raincoast Books and Editorial Director at House of Parlance Media.

Currently, Tonya and business partner and co-publisher, Meghan Hague, head up an award winning, independent, trade publishing house, McKellar & Martin Publishing Group, and have published noted authors and illustrators including Richard Van Camp, Julie Flett, Monique Gray Smith, Amanda Reid-Stevens, Shawna Davis, and more.

Tonya is a proud member of the Association of Canadian Publishers (ACP), the Association of Book Publishers of BC (ABPBC/Books BC), and the Arts Council of New West.

A member of Council since August 1, 2024, her current appointment ends August 1, 2026.