Looking for Superstack Stories

The Sudbury Writers’ Guild invites members of the public and the Guild to submit poetry, prose, and images of Sudbury’s unique Superstack landmark. The Sudbury Writers’ Guild is creating a publication full of stories, facts, poems, and pictures of our beloved Superstack and want to hear what you have to say.

BACKGROUND:

In 2020, Vale announced their plans to decommission and tear down the Superstack. After 50 years in operation, it’s made a permanent mark on the community.

Here are just a few interesting facts:

*It is 1,250 feet tall

*The estimated cost to build was $25 million

*Construction was fully completed on Aug. 21, 1972

*It was the tallest free-standing structure in Canada until 1975

*Following completion of the Superstack’s concrete shell, a top-to-bottom vertical steel ladder was installed inside with rest platforms for maintenance

*On Aug. 20, 1970, it was still under construction when it was hit by a tornado, sustaining only minor damage. All six workers who were on the platform at the time survived.

In 2021, the Sudbury Writers’ Guild published a chapbook of stories, poems, and photos from the public, inspired by the colourful mural that transformed the Sudbury General Hospital. In addition to the book, “Painted Voices, “excerpts from the collection were also displayed on a series of posters for the public to enjoy.

Now, we want to hear your stories about Sudbury’s iconic Superstack. How has it been a part of your life? How has it represented you or the city? Maybe you worked on or around the stack or lived under it. Did you live here before the stack and saw the change it brought about? Was it a beacon of home? How did this concrete landmark impact you?

SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS:

*French and English submissions accepted

*Entries should be submitted in Word or compatible document, with your name, contact information and title at the top

*Submission can include poetry (up to 3 poems), or fiction or non-fiction prose (up to 2,000 words)

*Visual submission can include photographs, postcards, memorabilia, folk art, newspaper clippings, or others

*Previously published works are welcome

*Honorarium for selected entries dependent on project funding. Contributors retain copyright.

*Please include a cover letter with your name, the title(s) of your creative pieces, and contact information including phone number and email address.

****DEADLINE: MAY 12, 2023****

****CLOSED TO SUBMISSIONS****

For more information or questions contact us at superstackproject@sudburywritersguild.com