Dear writers, illustrators, storytellers & creatives
We are excited to announce that we are opening our traditional submissions on the first of June, 2025.
Although our traditional list is small, it is one that we are very proud of. We take our time in reviewing our submissions, we don’t take many. Last year, we were honoured to publish, Are You Listening? by poet Zaynab Mohammed.
This fall, we will publish Prism: A Chameleon Finds his Light, by first time author Brady Wells and illustrator Sarah Shortliffe, and the poetry collection Spells Against the Darkness by Roderick Macdonald.
At Pownal Street Press, we use our social purpose as our north star.
We exist to give rise to brave stories,
and to be a light for community
and connection.
Do you have a brave story? Our publishing mandate focuses on publishing stories that celebrate diversity in culture and relationships, that connect people to the land, and that tie us closer to our communities.
In nonfiction, this looks like narrative-driven memoirs, first person accounts, works with a philosophical question, or any manuscripts in poetry or essay that support the human experience.
In children’s books, this looks like stories around themes of human relationships, connections with nature, and timeless stories of traditions, either the celebrations of old traditions or the building of new ones— both essential parts of life. If you are both a visual artist and elegant storyteller, and are looking to publish a meaningful children’s book, we really want to hear from you.
So as we welcome June’s longer days (and the lupins on Prince Edward Island!) so do we welcome your manuscripts, for the whole month of June. Please help to keep us reading all summer! Submission period ends on June 30th.
To submit, please send us a query letter introducing your piece at hello@pownalstreetpress.com and attach the work. Please use the subject line, “Traditional.” Submissions for the Pownal Street Press traditional program should be works that are considered complete, and are not considered as works-in-process (although we love the messy middle!).
Please note, we will respond to all submissions within six months.
*Want to move a little quicker? We are currently hosting a Virtual Open House on May 27 for anyone interested in learning more about our hybrid program.
Best of luck and we look forward to the PSP Authors of 2026! 🎉
Mo & Gen
Pownal Street Press is PEI’s newest publishing house. Women-owned and women-led, friendly, warm and professional: We exist to give rise to brave stories, and to be a light for community and connection. With distribution through Raincoast Books and Orca Books, Pownal Street Press’ titles have national reach but local heart. For more information about the Press and its books, please visit: www.pownalstreetpress.com.