Catherine Austen
Creative Writing
Canadian Literary Short Fiction Markets N-Q
Continuing on the last couple of posts, here are another 10 excellent Canadian literary journals that short story writers can submit to.
The Nashwaak Review (Fredericton, New Brunswick)
- Publishes original work from new and established writers and artists from across Canada, with an Atlantic focus. 1 double-issue/year (print). Since 1994.
- Considers fiction (no word limit), plus poetry, travel articles, essays, art, and reviews.
- Open submission period. Submit by snail mail and email. No mention of exclusivity. Responds in 6 months.
- No mention of payment. Submissions Guidelines
The New Quarterly (Waterloo, Ontario)
- Publishes distinctive, innovative literary work by emerging and established Canadian writers. 4 issues/year (print and digital). Since 1981.
- Considers fiction up to 6,000 words, plus poetry, creative non-fiction, reviews, and interviews. Also accepts work for its website.
- Open submission period. Submit by snail mail with a completed cover sheet (see guidelines). Simultaneous submissions accepted. Submit only 1 story/year. Responds, sometimes with comments, in 6-9 months.
- Pays $250. Submission Guidelines
NōD (Calgary, Alberta)
- Publishes work from emerging and established writers and artists from the University of Calgary and across Canada. 2 issues/year (print). Since 2014.
- Considers fiction up to 15 pages, plus poetry, creative non-fiction, and visual art. Also accepts essays and reviews for its blog.
- Submit to specific issues (e.g., Deadline March 17, 2017 for upcoming unthemed issue). Submit by email. Simultaneous submissions accepted. Responds in 3 months.
- Pays one copy. Submission Guidelines
One Throne (Dawson City, Yukon)
- Publishes a diversity of literary and genre fiction from Canadian and international writers. 1 issue/year (online). Since 2014.
- Considers stories of 2,500-7,500 words, plus poetry and creative non-fiction.
- Open submission period. Submit via Submittable. Exclusive submissions only. Responds in days.
- No payment. Submission Guidelines
Prairie Fire (Winnipeg, Manitoba)
- Publishes exceptional and innovative work from emerging and established Canadian writers. 4 Issues/year (print). Since 1978.
- Considers fiction up to 10,000 words, plus poetry, creative non-fiction, and interviews.
- Open submission period. Submit by snail mail. Follow formatting guidelines (see website). Simultaneous submissions accepted. Responds in 3-6 months.
- Pays up to $350. Submission Guidelines
PRISM International (Vancouver, British Columbia)
- Publishes exciting contemporary literature from Canadian and International writers. 4 issues/year (print). Since 1959.
- Considers fiction up to 25 pages, plus poetry, creative non-fiction, drama, and translations.
- Open submission period. Submit via Submittable or by snail mail. Simultaneous submissions accepted. Responds in 2-6 months.
- Pays $30/page plus 2 copies. Submission Guidelines
The Puritan (Toronto, Ontario)
- Publishes exciting contemporary writing by new and established Canadian and international writers. 4 issues/year (online). Since 2007.
- Considers fiction up to 10,000 words, plus poetry, essays, reviews, and interviews.
- Open submission period. Submit online. Simultaneous submissions accepted. Responds in 3-4 months.
- Pays $50/story. Submission Guidelines
Queen’s Quarterly (Kingston, Ontario)
- An arts and ideas magazine that publishes engaging writing by Canadian and international writers. 4 issues/year (print). Since 1893.
- Considers fiction up to 3,000 words, plus poetry, essays, articles, and reviews.
- Open submission period. Submit by email or snail mail. Simultaneous submissions accepted. Responds in 1-2 months.
- Payment unspecified. Submission Guidelines
The Quilliad (Toronto, Ontario)
- Publishes diverse fictional voices from writers across Canada. 2 issues/year (print). Since 2013.
- Considers fiction up to 2,000 words, plus poetry and art.
- Two submission periods: check the blog for submission calls (e.g., they are currently closed but will re-open in April 2017). The Spring issue features literary pieces; the Fall issue has a Halloween theme and features literary and genre work, including apocalyptic stories, retold fairy tales, horror, and sci-fi. No mention of exclusivitiy.
- Pays $13. Submission Guidelines
QWERTY (Fredericton, New Brunswick)
- Publishes innovative work by emerging and established Canadian and international writers. 2 issues/year (print). Since 1996.
- Considers literary or genre fiction up to 5,000 words, plus poetry, creative non-fiction, reviews, and visual arts.
- Open submission period. Submit online or by snail mail. Simultaneous submissions accepted. Responds in 4-6 months.
- Pays in copies. Submission Guidelines
Good luck! Have a great week.
4 Comments on “Canadian Literary Short Fiction Markets N-Q”
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Catherine Austen writes books for kids and teens, short stories for adults, and reports for corporate clients. She lives in Gatineau, Quebec.
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Thanks for sharing this Catherine, it’s helpful to have them all together on one page to look through. It’s appreciated. 🙂
You’re welcome, Julie. When I do the last batch, I’ll make a page with the whole list, and hopefully keep it updated. Hope it’s of use.
Thanks for the lists, Catherine. I have submitted poetry to several of these journals and have had some of those submissions accepted for publication. Canada has some really excellent literary journals.
You’re welcome, and congratulations. The list is probably a bit out of date already (I’ll update once a year). But yes, there are some really fine publications here. Because I write fiction, I need a quick-list with word limits, so this one works for me. If you’re a poet, there are even more journals out there — check out this excellent list from CBC: http://www.cbc.ca/books/canadawrites/a-guide-to-canadian-literary-magazines-and-journals-open-to-submissions-1.4242191.