Northern Quill Publishing book submissions closing soon

Northern Quill Publishing says their third round of submissions for new manuscripts and reprints closes on August 25.

While the NWT-based company is open to most types of submissions, director Myanda Bolstad said they should “reflect the people, the landscapes, histories, and the cultures of the Northwest Territories.”

The company is particularly looking for books that fill gaps in the market and educational texts like histories of the area, Elders’ memoirs or field guides. They will also accept books by northern authors that were previously published, but are currently out of print.

There are a few types of books the publishing company will not accept, Bolstad said, including single-author poetry volumes, self-help books or unfinished manuscripts.

“We want something that has been thoughtfully looked at, thoughtfully edited, has seen someone else take a look at the manuscript,” she said.

For northern authors considering submitting their books, Bolstad recommended that they find a writers’ community and not self-reject by not applying.

“It is going to be a scary process. Putting yourself out there, being vulnerable is always going to be scary,” she said.

“The worst that you can hear is a no and if you haven’t submitted, it’s a no already. So take the risk to hear a no because otherwise you’ve said no for yourself.”

Bolstad said northern authors should consider traditional publishing over self-publishing as publishing companies have resources to help with editing, printing and marketing. She also said there’s a “level of prestige” that comes with having your book selected by a publishing company.

Northern Quill Publishing opened its current round of submissions in June and has kept it open until August 25 to allow time for people who may be busy with traditional and cultural activities or want to finish a book.

If your work is not selected for publishing, Bolstad said that does not mean it was bad. She said often books are rejected because they are not a right fit for the company or the company does not have enough time or resources to publish all the submissions it wants to.

Bolstad said board members for Northern Quill Publishing will provide a letter to authors explaining why their work was not selected for publishing as well as suggestions for improvement and recommendations of other publishing companies that may accept their work.

She said it usually takes 18 months to two years for a book to go from selection to publishing.

Authors can submit their work on Northern Quill Publishing’s website or by contacting the company.