North Country Press

09/23/2025

Conjuring My Mother

I’ll use anything for conjuring—
An old baked bean recipe
Written in my mother’s hand
Wishing that I somehow could
Be the very paper on which she’d writ molasses.

-from The North End by Judith Robbins

09/17/2025

“For those that a journey is impossible, time may quickly become the enemy. There may be many who will never recover and damage that can never be undone, and overall, a pall that will hang over us even when the renewing sun comes out to play, and it will prevail for a long time. But the one constant among us all, growing louder with the crowd expanding, was a mantra of gratitude at simply being alive after such an ordeal, a near euphoria brought on by survival.” --from Island Odyssey by Cheryl Blaydon

09/12/2025

An UPDATE: NCP hired a media specialist who is helping to develop a social media presence which includes three programs (I will share the nature of these as we roll each out). In addition, our specialist will give our NCP website a facelift, so to speak, and reopen our online store so that sales will no longer be diverted to Amazon. In fact, a “shop now” button will be added to all NCP social media posts. Lastly, NCP has an Instagram and X account now. Please visit and spread the word. Regarding new manuscript submissions: VERY SOON! NCP has one more bold move (TBA) before we restart the publishing engines.

09/12/2025

“Continuing to choose what will move me forward to mental and physical health is what I have going for myself now. So far, this return to friends and family feels right and gives me hope.” -from Up Home Again, Ellie O’Leary

08/22/2025

05/31/2025

Gary Rainford,
Poet & Author
Swan’s Island, ME 04685
[email protected]
207-610-3138

May 31, 2025

Dear Authors and Friends of North Country Press,

I hope this letter finds you well. My name is Gary Rainford, and I’m honored to introduce myself as the future owner and publisher of North Country Press. As someone who is deeply passionate about literature, storytelling, and supporting the voices of Maine writers, I am thrilled to carry forward the legacy of this respected publishing house.

Founded in 1992 North Country Press has been a champion of local authors, regional stories, and meaningful books that reflect the spirit and character of our Maine communities. As a year-round, Swan’s Island resident, and North Country Press author since 2014, I am committed to preserving this tradition while exploring new opportunities to grow and evolve with the changing world of publishing.

Since 2016, I have owned and operated Island Verse Story Lab, L3C, a creative writing literacy company. We host writing workshops, writers in residence, contests, publish poetry collections, non-fiction books, and The Island Reader, an annual anthology of Maine island artists and writers—volume 20 is in pre-production right now. This is a labor of love and partnership with Maine Seacoast Mission. In addition, I’ve been an English professor for State University of New York since 1998, teaching composition, literature, and creative writing exclusively online since 2001 on Swan’s Island. I share this so you know NCP is in capable and caring hands.

Currently I am working with Patricia Newell to acquire NCP. In the coming months, I look forward to meeting you—to hear your thoughts, ideas, and hopes for the future. Please know that our door will always open.

Thank you for your continued support. I’m excited to begin this journey and to work together in celebrating the power of the written word.

Warm regards,

Gary Rainford
www.garyrainford.com

08/09/2024

Check out the latest novel by Cheryl Blaydon on North Country Press. https://www.northcountrypress.com/reunion-with-rembrandt.html
Pre-orders are open now for August 20 shipping.

Check out hundreds of other great titles while you're there!

07/06/2024

New mushroom guide from North Country Press.

07/01/2024

NEW BOOK! MUSHROOM MANIA by Hilary Bartlett. Visit northcountrypress.com to place an order.