North Star Press of St. Cloud, Inc., was founded in 1969 by John Dwyer, who had been the business manager of the Liturgical Press in Collegeville, Minnesota, for thirty years. He intended that North Star produce books that had merit but perhaps were too regional for major houses, and he planned to devote his time to this endeavor after retirement, but he passed away six months after retiring his position at the Liturgical Press.

The business was continued by his widow, Rita Dwyer, and one of his daughters-in-law, Corinne Dwyer. In 2001, Rita retired, and the business was moved to Clearwater, Minnesota, and continued by Corinne and her daughter, Seal. A three-generational family business, Corinne and Seal plan to keep publishing great Midwestern books for many years to come.

North Star Press has published nearly three hundred books in its thirty-nine-year history and has also helped hundreds of people over the years realize their dream of being published come true through their Guided Self-publishing program.