CBU Press—founded with the College of Cape Breton in 1974, and later the University College of Cape Breton Press (1984)—was not envisioned as a scholarly press, nor has it operated as such. Rather, it has published books in a wide range of genres, including award-winning children’s books (including young adult) and adult fiction. Known as a trade publisher (as opposed to scholarly), even books rooted in academic research (some of which have earned writing awards) have mostly been edited for a general audience.

The Press also published recordings, marshalling its resources to fulfill a perceived need for recordings unique to Cape Breton—among them: Rita MacNeil, the Cape Breton Symphony, the Rise and Follies and the Cape Breton Summertime Revue.