Editorial Charter
The North Lit Review is an independent, volunteer-run, not-for-profit literary journal. We exist to discover, encourage and publish outstanding writing, wherever it comes from. Every member of staff is asked to uphold the following principles.
1. Respect. Treat everyone you come across – other staff, contributors and readers – with courtesy and generosity, even when opinions differ. Good disagreement strengthens a journal; personal attacks weaken it.
2. The Writing Comes First. Judge every submission on the quality of the work itself. Nothing else. Leave personal preferences, assumptions and prejudices at the door.
3. Every Writer Deserves a Fair Reading. Read each submission carefully and in good faith and with an open mind and heart. Every piece deserves genuine consideration.
4. Two Sets of Eyes. Every submission should receive at least two independent editorial reviews before a final decision is made.
5. Champion Great Work. If you believe a piece is exceptional, say so. Our job is not simply to reject work, but to discover writing that deserves an audience. Finding and publishing great work is literally what we’re here for.
6. Use the Ratings Consistently
★★★★★ – Outstanding. Publishable immediately with little or no editing.
★★★★☆ – Very good. Publishable with modest editorial work.
★★★☆☆ – Promising. Worth encouraging but requires significant revision.
★★☆☆☆ – Not ready for publication.
★☆☆☆☆ – Does not meet the journal's current editorial standard.
Ratings should normally be accompanied by brief comments explaining the decision except where it’s obvious the piece isn’t a fit (too long, too short, really bad form, structure or writing) .
7. Respect Confidentiality. Submissions and editorial discussions remain within the editorial team until publication decisions have been made.
8. Declare Conflicts of Interest. Do not review work by family members, close friends or anyone where your impartiality could reasonably be questioned. Recusing yourself is the right thing to do.
9. Help Writers Grow. When offering feedback, aim to make the work stronger. Be honest, specific and constructive. We serve writers best by telling the truth with kindness. Sometimes how you say something is as important as what you say.
10. Remember Why We Exist. The North Lit Review is a labour of love. We are volunteers brought together by a shared belief that good literature matters. Support one another, enjoy the work and help build a journal that writers are proud to appear in.