The 'North' is a big place, both physically and imaginatively, and that elusive northern perspective is the province of many writers both within and without the Highlands of Scotland.

'Northwords' was created, in part, to reflect this 'Northern' perspective. In many countries, northern means colder, wetter, more isolated, less populated, marginalised etc. But northern is also a relationship. To have a north, there must be a south - which often means warm, populated, dry, wealthy. Indeed, someone's north may be someone else's south (this echoes a Canadian concept, where only 'true' Northerners live up in the Arctic Circle).

Although produced in the Scottish Highlands, Northwords shuns provincialism - preferring to focus on how the universal arises from the particular to create an original and fresh literary magazine. A magazine which features book reviews and interviews alongside some of the most exciting poetry and fiction writing to emanate from the 'North'.

Northwords has featured the work of writers from Ireland, Wales, Norway, Finland, USA, Poland and Japan. And, of course, this work has appeared alongside the work of many Scottish and particularly Highland writers (and illustrators.)

Many of these writers will be unknown in literary circles. This is deliberate and Northwords will continue to present new writers and their work alongside established and known writers, in the hope that these new and/or young writers will become the established writers of tomorrow.

Like most small magazines, Northwords depends on subscriptions for its continued existence. If you are interested in the Highlands' most ambitious literary magazine then please do subscribe. You will discover that travelling 'Northwords' can be a refreshing experience.

Western edge,

sharpened in Atlantic wind,

a sniff of Labrador beyond,

the waves curled white

with cunning -

one minute kissing your feet

like pilgrims,

the next attempting overthrow:

a ring of sand around your knees,

like history,

where they've circled.

from 'Kittiwakes at Saligo Bay' by Jim Vollmar

Northwords Issue 6

from 'For the Jacobite soldiers killed in the Minories'
by Ian McDonough. Northwords Issue 6.

First Prize £200.00
Second Prize £50.00
Third Prize £25.00

Conditions : Usual competition rules apply.

The entry fee is £1.00 per poem. There is no limit to the number of entries. Poems should not exceed 40 lines in length and the author's name should not appear anywhere on the entry. Your full name and address should be on a separate sheet of paper along with the title of the poem.

The competition will be judged by Iain Crithton Smith.
Born on the island of Lewis in 1928, iain Crichton Smith is widely recognised as one of Scotland's leading writers, both in English and Gaelic. his highly acclaimed work includes numerous novels, collections of short stories, volumes of poetry and radio plays in both languages.

Entries (and fees) should be mailed to:

Northwords Poetry Competition
c/o Tom Bryan (Dept. W.)
68 Strathkanaird
Ullapool
Ross-shire
Scotland
United Kingdom
IV26 2TN.

Cheques or international money orders should be made payable to 'Northwords'. The closing date is 30 June 1996 and all prizewinners will be notified by post by 30 August 1996.

Subscription :

Prices include postage:

Single copy : £2.50
Two Issues : £5.00
Three Issues (one year) : £7.50
Back Issues of Nos. 1-6 : £2.50 each

Cheques or international money orders should be made payable to 'Northwords' and sent to the address shown above.

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