The Tug Hill Literary Review was conceived in the winter of 2005 by Half-Shire Secretary George Widrig and President Shawn Doyle. An agreement was made after the initial run to partner with Debbie Quick of the Historical Association of South Jefferson, and for a time with Lewis County Historical Society. The initial three volumes of 2005, 2006 and 2009 were successful and benefitted all three organizations. Following the death of George Widrig and the departure of Lewis County from the partnership, the periodical suffered and was not published in 2007 or 2008. A single issue was run in 2009.

During the pandemic, the Half-Shire and HASJEFF teams discussed resurrecting the Quarterly. In December 2020 the first issue ran with a larger format and a more organized editorial committee. We are pleased with the reception and initial success!

The Tug Hill Literary Review mission is to publish a 4–5-page lead story (longer than either organization's regular newsletter can accommodate) and to publish poetry and prose from our members and our files that reflect the unique character of the Tug Hill/Eastern Lake Ontario region of northern New York State. Photography and book reviews are alco included.

The Review is sent out to paid subscribers of both organizations and the last run in January 2021 sent out a combined 1,200 issues.