Sudbury publisher Latitude 46 invites submissions from northern writers

Two freelance writers are joining forces to launch a new publishing house for northern Ontario.

Their launch comes as the only other English-language publisher in the region recently shut down.

Heather Campbell and Laura Gregorini are calling their press Latitude 46 Publishing. The pair make their living by writing — but now, Campbell says, they will get to read up and coming writers.

"This is my dream, what I've always wanted to do is to write and publish books and do literary festivals," she continued. "So it's a natural fit."

It's a new leaf in publishing in the region, as Latitude 46 — which refers to the geographic location of the Sudbury area — will enter the world of electronic publishing.

Retired Laurentian English professor Laurence Steven operated Scrivener Press for 20 years.

He recently shut down and moved to southern Ontario — but he's glad a new publisher is opening up.

"Without the press, writers often give up on projects or water them down or change them," he said. "I think it's important."

Campbell and Gregorini are also the organizers of the Sudbury Literary Festival Wordstock, where they will formally announce their new venture this weekend.

From there, "we'll see what bubbles up and who comes forward," Campbell said.

"You know, we want to find that best-selling gem that's been hiding and just been waiting for someone to say, 'hey, there it is'."

Campbell said submissions on paper aren't accepted, as manuscripts must be electronically submitted.