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