WE WELCOME SUBMISSIONS FROM BOTH NEW AND PREVIOUSLY PUBLISHED AUTHORS.
Ready to share your story through the written medium? We’re seeking fresh, authentic voices from the Northwest Territories. Submit your manuscript for a chance to join our roster of published authors and bring your unique perspective to readers everywhere.
Flash Fiction Contest
Calling all writers! Northern Quill Publishing, in partnership with NorthWords NWT, is excited to announce our first short story contest. Whether you're an emerging writer or a seasoned storyteller, this is your chance to showcase your work and have it published in Up Here Magazine.
Contest Details:
Opens: April 1, 2025
Deadline: June 27, 2025
Theme: Edges
Maximum Word Count: 1,000
Prizes:
1st Place – Winning piece will be published in the Fall edition of Up Here Magazine, a $250 cash prize, and a one-year NorthWords NWT membership.
2nd Place – $150 cash prize and a one-year NorthWords NWT membership.
3rd Place – $100 cash prize and a one-year NorthWords NWT membership.
All winners will be recognized on NorthWords NWT and Northern Quill Publishing's social media platforms.
How to Enter:
We're looking for your edgiest pieces—where the known meets the unknown, where people push past limits, and where change begins. Northern Quill Publishing and NorthWords NWT invite writers to explore the theme "Edges" in any way they choose. Whether it’s a physical boundary, an emotional breaking point, the edge of discovery, or the last moment before everything changes, we want stories that captivate, challenge, and surprise us.
We can’t wait to read your stories!
MANUSCRIPT GUIDELINES
Before submitting your manuscript, please ensure it meets our guidelines. We accept completed, polished manuscripts in the following categories: fiction, non-fiction, young adult novels, children’s books, and graphic novels. We recommend you have your manuscript edited by a second party before submission. Include a brief biography, your connection to the territory, and a description of your work, including the intended audience. If applicable, also submit any accompanying illustrations or artwork. Ensure all files are properly formatted and ready for review. For manuscripts that have already been published, please see our reprint services.
HOW TO SUBMIT
To submit your polished manuscript, simply click the link below to access our submission portal. Please complete the required fields and upload your manuscript through the form. If you need help with the submission process, please don’t hesitate to contact us by email or phone. We won’t be able to move forward with all the great writing that comes our way, but as we grow our company, we hope to be able to support and share more Northern voices from across the territory.
Please note submissions are currently closed.
OUR PROCESS
Northern Quill Publishing welcomes submissions that capture the essence of Northern life. We encourage both emerging and established writers to share their work with us. Our process begins with submitting a completed, polished manuscript through our portal. We carefully review each submission, prioritizing works by NWT residents or those with strong Northern connections. We anticipate reaching out to every author within four to six months after the submission deadline closes, whether or not your manuscript is a right fit to move forward with us.
REPRINT SERVICES
Northern Quill Publishing would like to help revive Northern treasures that are low on stock or out of print, giving them a second chance to reach new readers. We welcome submissions from authors with strong ties to the NWT who are passionate about bringing their past works back to life. Submit your book for consideration through our reprint portal.
Please note reprint submissions are currently closed.