The Thunder Bay Historical Museum Society Press is the publishing program of The Thunder Bay Historical Museum Society, supporting the Society’s educational mandate by sharing well-researched, accessible works that deepen public understanding of Northwestern Ontario’s diverse histories, communities, and cultures, including prehistory.
We primarily publish popular and scholarly historical non-fiction for general audiences—community histories, biographies, and thematic studies that draw on new source material or offer fresh interpretation. We also welcome select creative, interpretive, and popular formats—such as historical fiction, illustrated or “coffee table” titles, colouring books, and related genres—when they are grounded in credible research and responsibly represent the region’s histories.
As a public-facing historical publisher, we are committed to respectful, evidence-based storytelling and to presenting people and communities with care and context. Detailed submission requirements and the standard review pathway are set out in the Guide for Authors below.
Works Sought
The Thunder Bay Historical Museum Society Press seeks original works that deepen understanding of Northwestern Ontario’s histories and communities. Submissions should be grounded in credible research and either draw on new source material or offer fresh interpretation or evaluation of existing scholarship. We particularly welcome analytical work—such as biographies of individuals who have influenced community development, or studies of the social, economic, political, and cultural forces that have shaped the region—as well as creative, interpretive, and popular formats (including historical fiction, illustrated or “coffee table” books, colouring books, and similar genres) where historical grounding, context, and accuracy are central to the reader’s experience.
Proposal Guidelines
Authors should send:
- A letter to the Press outlining:
- Reasons for writing the work;
- The audience for whom the book is intended;
- Physical description of the work, including the approximate number of words, illustrations, tables, maps, graphs, etc.
- A resume, including the titles and publisher of previous publications, should accompany the letter.
- A sample of the manuscript, including the Table of Contents and the Introduction or the first chapter, must also be included.
The Review Process
The Press’s Publications Committee, which operates at arm’s length from the Board of The Thunder Bay Historical Museum Society and The Thunder Bay Historical Museum Society Press’s Publications Committee, which operates at arm’s length from the Board of Directors and includes members of the public with relevant expertise, oversees the review and adjudication of all submissions. The Committee is administratively supported by a designated staff resource.
All formal communication with authors during the review process will occur through the Chair of the Publications Committee or the Executive Director, or their designate.
Following receipt of a proposal, the Publications Committee will conduct an initial assessment and will notify the author of one of the following outcomes:
- A decision not to proceed; or
- A statement of interest, indicating that the proposal merits further review.
A statement of interest does not constitute an agreement to publish.
If a proposal generates sufficient interest, the author will be invited to submit a complete manuscript in electronic format. The manuscript may be reviewed internally by the Committee and may also be circulated to external readers with subject-matter expertise.
Following review, the Committee may decide to:
- Reject the manuscript;
- Decline the manuscript but invite revision and resubmission;
- Conditionally accept the manuscript, subject to required revisions; or
- Accept the manuscript as submitted.
Where revisions are requested, acceptance is contingent upon the Committee’s review and approval of the revised manuscript.
If a manuscript is approved for publication, the Committee will recommend that the Society enter into its standard publishing agreement. Only a fully executed contract constitutes a commitment to publish.
The Press determines publication sequencing and scheduling based on editorial readiness, production capacity, and strategic considerations, including seasonal marketing priorities.
Scott Bradley
The Thunder Bay Historical Museum Society
425 Donald Street East
Thunder Bay, Ontario P7E 5V1
807- 623-0801
Fax 807-622-6880
Email: [email protected]
Manuscript Preparation for Submission Stage
Manuscripts submitted for review must be complete, legible, and suitable for evaluation by the Publications Committee and external readers.
Submissions must include:
- An introduction outlining the work’s purpose and scope;
- A clearly structured chapter order;
- A conclusion;
- Endnotes or footnotes, as appropriate;
- A bibliography; and
- Any appendices intended for publication.
Manuscripts should be submitted electronically in a standard, readable format using a consistent typeface, double-spaced text, and sequential page numbering. Submissions must be substantially proofread prior to review.
Illustrations, maps, photographs, and other visual material may be submitted in draft or reference form at this stage for assessment purposes only. Final production-ready files will be required following acceptance.
Authors are responsible for securing all necessary permissions for third-party content. Estimated costs associated with image preparation, permissions, or specialized artwork are the responsibility of the author unless otherwise specified in the publishing agreement.
Final Manuscript Delivery: File & Image Requirements
Once a manuscript has been formally accepted and a publishing agreement executed, authors must submit a final, complete, and production-ready manuscript package in accordance with the requirements below. These standards support editorial efficiency, accessibility compliance, and professional print and digital production.
Materials that do not meet these requirements may be returned for correction and may delay the production schedule.
Manuscript Files
- Manuscripts must be submitted in Microsoft Word (.docx) format.
- PDF files are not accepted for editing or layout.
- Authors may submit:
- A single consolidated manuscript file, or
- Multiple clearly labelled files (e.g., FrontMatter.docx, Chapter_01.docx, Appendix_A.docx).
If submitting multiple files:
- File names must clearly indicate content and sequence.
- Chapter numbering and titles must be consistent across files.
- Include a brief file list or contents note confirming the intended order.
All manuscript files must be:
- Final and complete at the time of submission
- Free of tracked changes, comments, or unresolved queries
- Simply and consistently formatted (final styling will be applied during editing and layout)
Images and Illustrations
All images must be supplied as separate, high-quality files. Images embedded in Word documents are not suitable for print production.
Resolution (at final print size)
Image quality is assessed based on effective resolution at the size the image will appear in the book:
- Colour and greyscale images:
300 ppi recommended (200 ppi minimum) - Bitmapped (1-bit) line art:
1000 ppi recommended (600 ppi minimum) - Combination figures (line + tone):
600 ppi minimum
Images that may be enlarged during layout must be scanned or photographed at a higher resolution to maintain print quality.
Colour Mode
- Colour images should be supplied in CMYK colour mode, suitable for print reproduction.
- RGB images (including images sourced from websites or screens) may not reproduce accurately in print and may be returned for correction.
- If you are unable to supply CMYK files, submit the highest-quality original available and contact the publications editor for guidance.
File Formats
- Preferred: TIFF (uncompressed)
- Acceptable: High-quality JPEG (minimal compression)
- Vector formats (PDF, EPS, SVG) are strongly preferred for charts, maps, diagrams, and other graphic elements.
- Web-optimized formats (e.g., PNG, GIF) and screenshots are generally not suitable for print unless resolution and rights can be confirmed.
File Naming and Placement
- Image and figure files must be clearly and consistently named (e.g., Fig_04_FortWilliamStation_1910.tif).
- Do not embed images in the manuscript.
- Indicate approximate placement in the text using brackets, for example: [Insert Figure 4 here]
Captions, Accessibility, and Permissions
- Submit a separate Image List that includes:
- Figure number
- Caption text
- Credit line
- Source
- Copyright or permission status
- Alt text (1–2 sentences describing the image for accessibility)
- Complex images (e.g., maps, charts, multi-part figures) may require longer descriptive text for accessibility purposes.
- Authors are responsible for obtaining written permission for all third-party content, including images, maps, tables, and extended quotations.
- A permissions log must be submitted with the final manuscript, listing:
- Item description
- Rights holder
- Permission status
- Required credit line
- Any use restrictions
- Filename of permission documentation
Tables
- Submit each table as a separate file (one table per file).
- You may insert a placeholder in the manuscript (e.g., “[Table 1 about here]”) to indicate approximate placement, but do not embed the final table content within the manuscript text.
Special Cases
The Press reserves the right to consider special cases for publication, such as the manuscript of a deceased author or a manuscript commissioned by the Publications Committee.
Equity, Accessibility, and Ethical Considerations
The Thunder Bay Historical Museum Society Press is committed to inclusive, respectful, and ethical publishing practices.
Authors are expected to ensure that their work:
- Uses respectful and appropriate language when referring to individuals, communities, and cultures;
- Acknowledges Indigenous Peoples, communities, and knowledge systems where relevant, and reflects appropriate consultation where required;
- Avoids discriminatory, exclusionary, or harmful representations.
All published works must meet applicable accessibility standards, including the provision of alternative text for images and clear descriptive captions. Additional accessibility requirements may be identified during editorial review.
The Publications Committee reserves the right to request revisions to address equity, accessibility, ethical, or reputational concerns as a condition of acceptance.
Press Responsibilities
Editorial
Authors are responsible for submitting a manuscript that has been thoroughly proofread and is ready for professional editorial review.
Following acceptance, the manuscript will undergo editorial review, coordinated by the Publications Committee and conducted by a qualified editor. Editorial review may address:
- Structure and organization;
- Clarity, tone, and consistency;
- Accuracy and completeness of citations;
- Grammar, spelling, and punctuation; and
- Alignment with the Press’s style and scholarly standards.
Edited manuscripts will be returned to the author for review, revision, and approval. Authors are expected to respond to editorial queries in a timely manner to support the production schedule.
An index is required for all scholarly and non-fiction publications. Unless otherwise stated in the publishing agreement, preparing the index is the author’s responsibility. Indexing is completed after final layout (using page proofs), and is not required at the time of proposal or manuscript submission.
Design and Production
Authors will be shown the design before the book is printed, and suggestions will be considered. However, as stated in the contract to publish, the Press reserves the right to make the final decision on all matters of design.
Marketing
The Thunder Bay Historical Museum Society Press will promote published works through channels it deems appropriate, which may include media outreach, listings and catalogues, website and newsletter features, events, and retail or institutional distribution.
Authors are encouraged to participate in reasonable promotional activities, such as interviews, public talks, or launch events, in collaboration with the Press.
While the Press actively supports promotion, it does not guarantee specific sales outcomes, media coverage, or distribution volumes.
