The Antigonish Review
A Canadian quarterly literary magazine publishing contemporary fiction, poetry, essays, translations, reviews, and other literary work.
Last updated August 25, 2026
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Overview
The Antigonish Review is a Canadian quarterly literary magazine established in 1970 in Antigonish, Nova Scotia. It publishes contemporary literary writing by both new and established authors, with a scope that includes fiction, poetry, nonfiction articles and essays, interviews, translations, book reviews, and review essays. Its editorial program places the magazine within the long tradition of Canadian small literary journals: it provides a venue for emerging writers while also presenting work by recognized contributors and engaging with literary culture through criticism and translation. The magazine's early and long-running editorial identity was shaped by R. J. MacSween, who served as editor-in-chief for an extended period after the journal's founding. MacSween was later succeeded by George Sanderson. The publication has also been associated with support for communications theorist Marshall McLuhan during the early stages of his career and public influence. This connection reflects the journal's broader interest in literary, cultural, and communications-related ideas beyond conventional fiction and poetry. The Antigonish Review has been credited with nurturing writing talent in Eastern Canada. Its regional setting is important to its identity, but its contents are not limited to local subjects or contributors. Through regular issues, translated work, interviews, reviews, and literary essays, the magazine participates in wider Canadian and international literary exchange. In addition to its quarterly magazine program, The Antigonish Review operates recurring writing competitions. The Great Blue Heron Poetry Contest has been held since 2000 and focuses on poetry. Since 2005, the magazine has run the annual Sheldon Currie Short Fiction Contest, named for Canadian writer Sheldon Currie. Nicholas Ruddock won the inaugural Sheldon Currie Prize. These competitions extend the magazine's role as a platform for developing and recognizing writers. Thomas Hodd served as editor until 2023, after which Doug Smith became editor. The continuing editorial succession, contest program, and active publication website indicate that the magazine remains an operating literary periodical. Publicly available reference material does not establish a corporate parent, ownership structure, founding individual, financial figures, circulation, or a stock-market listing.
History
The Antigonish Review was founded in 1970 as a Canadian quarterly literary magazine. From its earliest years, the journal combined a regional base in Antigonish, Nova Scotia, with a broad literary remit. Its contents have included new and established contemporary fiction, poetry, nonfiction articles and essays, translations, interviews, book reviews, and review essays. This combination has allowed the publication to function both as a venue for creative writing and as a forum for literary and cultural criticism. R. J. MacSween was the magazine's long-term editor-in-chief during an important part of its early development. George Sanderson later succeeded MacSween. The period associated with MacSween and Sanderson was also marked by strong support for communications theorist Marshall McLuhan during the early part of McLuhan's career. The connection helped illustrate the magazine's willingness to engage with influential ideas about media, communication, and culture alongside conventional literary publishing. Over time, The Antigonish Review developed a reputation for nurturing writing talent in Eastern Canada. Although its regional setting has remained central to its identity, the magazine's editorial scope has extended beyond strictly local writing. Its publication of translations, interviews, criticism, and work by both emerging and established authors has connected the journal to broader Canadian and international literary conversations. The magazine expanded its role in writer development through recurring competitions. The Great Blue Heron Poetry Contest began in 2000. In 2005, the magazine introduced the annual Sheldon Currie Short Fiction Contest, named for Canadian writer Sheldon Currie. Nicholas Ruddock won the inaugural Sheldon Currie Prize. These contests complement the regular issue program by providing dedicated opportunities for poets and short-story writers. Thomas Hodd served as editor through 2023. Doug Smith subsequently became editor. The change represents the latest documented stage in the magazine's editorial succession. The available reference material confirms the publication's continuing editorial and contest activities, but does not provide reliable details about its circulation, budget, legal ownership, staffing beyond named editors, or institutional financing. It also does not identify a founder or parent company. The Antigonish Review is therefore best characterized as an active Canadian literary periodical whose principal public-facing activities are quarterly publishing and the administration of literary competitions.
- 2023
Doug Smith becomes editor
[1]Doug Smith succeeds Thomas Hodd as editor of the magazine.
- 2005
Sheldon Currie Short Fiction Contest begins
[1]The annual short-fiction competition is introduced; Nicholas Ruddock wins the inaugural Sheldon Currie Prize.
- 2000
Great Blue Heron Poetry Contest begins
[1]The magazine launches its poetry competition, which becomes a recurring part of its literary program.
- 1970
The Antigonish Review is established
[1]The Canadian quarterly literary magazine is founded in Antigonish, Nova Scotia.
Products and positioning
An independent Canadian literary review centered on contemporary writing, literary criticism, translation, and the discovery and development of writers, with particular significance in Eastern Canada's literary culture.
Literary periodical · 1970
Quarterly literary issues
The magazine's core offering is a quarterly issue containing contemporary literary work. Contents may include fiction, poetry, nonfiction, translations, interviews, book reviews, and review essays, combining creative writing with literary and cultural commentary.
Writing competition · 2005
Sheldon Currie Short Fiction Contest
An annual short-fiction competition operated by The Antigonish Review since 2005. It is named for Canadian writer Sheldon Currie, and Nicholas Ruddock received the inaugural prize.
Writing competition · 2000
Great Blue Heron Poetry Contest
A poetry competition run by the magazine since 2000. The contest forms part of the publication's broader role in identifying and encouraging writers.
Marketing campaigns
- 2005Sheldon Currie Short Fiction Contest
Canada · International literary community
The Antigonish Review launched an annual short-fiction competition named for Canadian writer Sheldon Currie.
Outcome. Nicholas Ruddock won the inaugural Sheldon Currie Prize, and the competition continued as an annual program.
- 2000Great Blue Heron Poetry Contest
Canada · International literary community
The magazine established a recurring poetry competition to provide recognition and publication-related opportunities for poets.
Outcome. The contest became an ongoing component of The Antigonish Review's literary activities.
Brand decisions
2023
Editorial succession from Thomas Hodd to Doug SmithStrategyBackground
Thomas Hodd's tenure as editor concluded in 2023.
Action taken
Doug Smith assumed the editorial role.
Aftermath
Smith became the current documented editor of The Antigonish Review.
2005
Launch of the Sheldon Currie Short Fiction ContestOtherBackground
The magazine created a dedicated platform for short-fiction writers and named the program after Sheldon Currie.
Action taken
It began an annual short-fiction competition and awarded the inaugural prize to Nicholas Ruddock.
Aftermath
The competition continued as a recurring part of the magazine's activities.
2000
Launch of the Great Blue Heron Poetry ContestOtherBackground
The magazine broadened its writer-development activities beyond regular issue publication.
Action taken
It introduced a recurring competition dedicated to poetry.
Aftermath
The contest became part of the magazine's continuing literary program.
Recent events
- 2023
The Antigonish Review appoints Doug Smith as editor[1]
Leadership change
Doug Smith succeeded Thomas Hodd as editor of the literary magazine.
- 2005
Sheldon Currie Short Fiction Contest continues as an annual program[1]
Campaign · Other
The magazine established its annual short-fiction competition, with Nicholas Ruddock receiving the inaugural Sheldon Currie Prize.
- 2000
Great Blue Heron Poetry Contest established[1]
Campaign · Other
The Antigonish Review began its poetry competition, which became a recurring part of the magazine's literary activities.
Sources2 sources
Cite this profile: Cite the canonical profile. /brand-wiki/the-antigonish-review · Editorial policy · How profiles are compiled