Atlantic Canadian Poetry Archive

Frequently Asked Questions

Why isn’t [poet of your choice here] included?
Is the poet you have just named an Atlantic Canadian with a recognizable body of work? If so, there are two things which can account for that poet's absence. The first and much more likely reason, is that we haven't received any submissions on that poet yet. (Speaking of which, feel free to look up our Submission Guidelines). The second is that for whatever reason we were unable to obtain permission to present that poet's work online.

Why isn’t [poet of your choice here] included on the Compendium List – can I still make a submission?

First, make sure the poet is not already published. Our list is forever growing, and you may have just missed them! If the poet is not already published on the ACPA and is not on the compendium, it is likely that we have received a submission on them. The reason you can’t find them anywhere is that the submission has not yet been edited and published, but will be soon!

To make sure we have an extensive list of poets, we can at this time only accept one entry per poet. But don’t be dismayed! The Compendium includes many talented poets who each deserve an entry written by you.

Why only Atlantic Canadian poets?
The number of outstanding writers from Atlantic Canada far outweighs the available scholarship on these writers. It is the goal of the ACPA to provide a venue for scholarship on what we feel is an under-analyzed bloc in the Canadian literary scene.
How do I submit?
See our Submission Guidelines. For further questions, contact .
Who is eligible for analysis?
Any Atlantic Canadian poet who has published at least a chapbook, been anthologized, or has a published collection of poetry may be included in the ACPA.

You’ll note that the poet must have spent significant time in Atlantic Canada (“Significant” doesn’t necessarily mean quantity; it largely depends on the poet's self-identification. Hence Elizabeth Bishop, who spent her early years in Great Village, is eligible. The poem “Your aunt from Edmonton,” which she wrote while she changed planes in Moncton, is not).

Furthermore, the poem you choose should have some ties to Atlantic Canada, whether by form, themes, images, etc. The Editors will have the final say in which poets and poems are to be published.
Who can submit an entry?
While anyone who can write strong critical analysis may submit an entry to the ACPA, we actively seek contributions from undergraduate students. Just as the ACPA is meant to broaden the scholarship available on Atlantic Canadian writers, it is also meant to provide an opportunity for students to gain experience in analyzing, editing, and publishing.
Is the ACPA a refereed source?
The ACPA is edited and maintained by undergraduate students at St. Thomas University. As such, it is not considered peer-reviewed, or refereed. Nonetheless, all submissions are put through a rigorous editorial process, and the editors and supervisors take the quality of any submissions very seriously.
I still have a question!

Than please ask! All questions can be submitted to

*Please note: The position for Managing Editor of the ACPA is dependent on Canada Jobs Grants. Therefore, we sometimes hit a lull where there is no funding for an editor. This means that during such times, no editing or publishing is taking place, and there is no designation for the maintenance of email. But don’t give up! Send us an email, and we promise to get back to you as soon as possible.