Second Story Press is looking for contemporary writing for a young reader audience that reflects the experience of Indigenous (First Nations, Métis, and Inuit) peoples written by an Indigenous writer. All entrants must be citizens or permanent residents of Canada.
Indigenous writers aged 18 and older are invited to submit their original, previously unpublished manuscripts for young people to Second Story Press. The press is looking for manuscripts written for young children, middle grade, and teen audiences—both fiction and non-fiction. The jury will then make a selection of finalists.
Our most recent winners are Michael Hutchinson, author of The Mighty Muskrats Mystery Series, and Jodie Callaghan, author of The Train.
The contest is open from now until May 14, 2021.
The winner of the contest will be chosen by the jury and announced on June 24, 2021.
They will be offered a publishing contract from Second Story Press.
Applicants can submit their manuscripts by mail, email, or Google Form.For full contest details, please visit our website:
www.secondstorypress.ca/indigenous-contest
The Jurors:
Jodie Callaghan is from the Listuguj Mi’gmaq First Nation in Gespe’gewa’gi (Quebec). She has found writing to be the best way to connect to her history and her culture. Her picture book, The Train, won the Second Story Press Indigenous Writing Contest and was published in 2020. Jodie is a teacher at the First Nations Regional Adult Education Centre and currently resides in Northern New Brunswick with her husband, child, and pets.
Nancy Cooper is Ojibway from the Chippewas of Rama First Nation. She works with First Nations Public Libraries throughout the province of Ontario. She collects beach stones and loves poodles.
Margie Wolfe is the President and Publisher of Second Story Press. She is the author of many books including The Promise, written with her cousin, Pnina Bat Zvi. She and three other women founded Second Story Press in 1988.
Second Story Press is dedicated to publishing independent, feminist-inspired books for adults and young readers. The press is known for representing strong female characters who reflect the diversity of the world we live in and a strong message of children’s empowerment.
