Catherine Austen
Books & Animals
A Celebration of Reading
My home town, Gatineau, is one of this year’s hosts of Canada’s largest festival of reading. We’re an official “Reading Town” this month, with events and presentations that come to a close tomorrow. It’s all part of the National Reading Campaign’s mission to make reading a national priority.
I’m doing my bit to celebrate. Tomorrow afternoon, I’ll be at the Mill Road Community Space in Chelsea (just a few kilometres from home), speaking with readers of all ages about reading and writing and how they go together so well.
There’s a full day planned with authors, musicians, and other creative people from the region. So, since it promises to be a rainy weekend — and reading is a great activity for rainy days as well as sunny beaches — come on out and say hello if you’re in the area.
Have a great weekend!
Judging Books by their Covers
While browsing my online library catalogue, this book caught my eye:
It captured me not because of its great reviews but because I could have sworn it was in my TBR pile with a different name. I searched through the pile and found this:
Ah yes. Not quite the same book. Extremely similar cover, completely different book.
Apparently, this happens every now and then. Sometimes in a worse way:
Sheesh. They didn’t even change the kid’s clothes on that one. (Check out this Huffington Post article for more examples.)
(A word to designers here: if you’re buying usage rights to images that other people can buy usage rights for, maybe fiddle with the image a tad. By Gaslight is a wild re-envisioning in comparison with Long Drive Home.)
How do you feel when a new book comes out that has almost the same cover as your still-quite-recent book? Amused? Annoyed? Delighted? Honoured? (I’m thinking annoyed.)
But maybe a similar cover is an advantage, so long as the contents are good. Humans like the familiar, after all. And even a duplicate cover won’t lose a book any fans if the contents are awesome. Mockingbird and Long Drive Home are a perfect example of that. (Still, both were reprinted with new, not-as-good-but-at-least-unique covers:)
Todd Babiak’s Come Barbarians was published in 2013 with HarperCollins. Steven Price’s By Gaslight was published in 2016 by McClelland & Stewart. Both have had great reviews. And they’re both fine-looking books. By Gaslight was in fact voted a Best Cover of 2016 (annoying the Come Barbarians designer, I’m sure).
I confess that I bought Come Barbarians because of the cool cover. It’s that attractive. In both versions. I wouldn’t change it if I was either one of them.
In fact, I’m thinking the foggy green cobblestone street is good for at least one more novel. Change the coat to a cape and add a wizard in a window, and it would be perfect for a thrilling fantasy. Any takers?
Canadian Literary Short Fiction Markets (R-Z)
Here is the last instalment of my favourite Can-lit journals aka short story markets.
NB: These are not ALL the magazines out there in our northern land. This is my personal list of lit-mags that publish the kind of short fiction I read and write, and for which I’m eligible to submit. (So you won’t find Ricepaper here because I’m not Asian Canadian, and you won’t find Arc because I don’t write poetry.) For a more complete list, see the Writer’s Guide to Canadian Literary Magazines & Journals on the Magazine Awards blog. (I’ve cribbed from their list and added the information I want at a glance: word counts, submission policies, and payments. Feel free to crib from my list.)
Riddle Fence (St. John’s, Newfoundland)
- Publishes contemporary literature and artwork from Newfoundland and Labrador, across Canada, and around the world. 3 issues/year (print). Since 2007.
- Considers fiction up to 3,000 words, plus poetry, “fakelore,” creative non-fiction, and visual arts.
- Open submission period. Submit by email. Simultaneous submissions accepted. Responds in 6 months.
- Payment unspecified. Submission Guidelines
Room (Vancouver, British Columbia)
- A feminist literary magazine that publishes emerging and established Canadian writers who identify as female. 4 issues/year (print). Since 1975.
- Considers fiction up to 3,500 words, plus poetry, creative non-fiction, and visual arts.
- Open submission period for un-themed issues; specific deadlines for themed issues (e.g., deadline January 31st, 2017, for an upcoming issue on “migration”). Submit via Submittable. Simultaneous submissions accepted. Responds in 3-6 months.
- Pays $50-$120. Submission Guidelines
The Rusty Toque (editors across Canada)
- Publishes innovative arts and literature by new and established Canadian and international writers. 1 issue/year (online). Since 2011.
- Considers fiction up to 4,000 words, plus poetry, creative non-fiction, reviews, comics, and graphic narratives.
- Open submission period. Submit up to two stories/year. Submit online. Simultaneous submissions accepted. Responds in 3 months.
- Pays $50. Submission Guidelines
sub-Terrain (Vancouver, British Columbia)
- Publishes provocative work from “uprising” Canadian and international artists and writers. 3 issues/year (print). Since 1992.
- Considers fiction up to 3,000 words, plus poetry, creative non-fiction, commentary, photography and illustration.
- Submission periods correspond to upcoming open and themed issues (e.g., deadline Septebmer 1st, 2017 for the next un-themed issue). Submit via Submittable. No mention of exclusivity.
- Pays $50. Submission Guidelines
Taddle Creek (Toronto, Ontario)
- A general interest literary magazine that publishes entertaining works from new and established Canadian writers. 2 issues/year (print and digital). Since 1997.
- Considers fiction (no word limit), plus poetry and visual art.
- Submissions are currently closed (two themed issues planned for 2017 are closed to submissions). Check the website for further notice. (Check it just to read the amusing submission guidelines.) When they re-open, submit by email. Exclusive submissions only. Responds in 2-6 months.
- Payment unspecified. Submission Guidelines
THIS Magazine (Toronto, Ontario)
- An alternative magazine of contemporary journalism, arts and culture that publishes sharp, stylish work from new and established Canadian writers. 6 issues/year (print). Since 1966.
- Publishes mostly articles and essays, but also considers fiction up to 2,500 words and poetry.
- Query for articles; pitch or submit stories at any time. Pitch/submit by email. Responds in 3 months.
- Payment varies. Submission Guidelines
Understory Magazine (Halifax and Lunenberg, Nova Scotia)
- Publishes vital writing and visual art by and about Canadian women. 3-4 issues/year (online only). Since 2013.
- Considers fiction up to 1,500 words, plus poetry, creative non-fiction, essays, spoken word, and blog posts.
- Submission periods vary with upcoming themed issues (e.g., deadline March 31st, 2017, for “Youth on Power” issue; deadline June 15th, 2017, for “Service” issue). Submit by email or snail mail. Simultaneous submissions accepted.
- Pays $30-50. Submission Guidelines
untethered (Toronto, Ontario)
- Publishes “alternative views for” emerging and established writers and artists from Toronto, Canada, and the world. 2 issues/year (print). Since 2014.
- Considers fiction up to 5,000 words, plus poetry, creative non-fiction, and visual arts.
- Submission periods announced for upcoming issues (e.g., deadline for the next issue was December 2016) — check the website for next open period. Submit by email. Simultaneous submissions accepted.
- Payment unspecified. Submissions Guidelines
The Windsor Review (Windsor, Ontario)
- Publishes arts and literature by new and established Canadian and international writers. 2 issues/year (print). Since 1965.
- Considers fiction up to 5,000 words, plus poetry, creative non-fiction, and visual arts.
- Submissions open from September-April. Calls for submission to themed issues are posted on the website. Submit only 1 story/year with a submission cover page (see guidelines). Submit by email or snail mail. No specified policy on exclusivity (there’s a box to check on the submission form if the work is submitted elsewhere). Responds in 6 months.
- Payment unspecified. Submission Guidelines
That’s it! I’ll post the entire A-Z on my “Markets” page.
Remember to check out the magazines before you submit to them. Buy, borrow, subscribe. Find out which ones publish writing that’s to your taste and whose pages you’d be proud to see your work in. (I have a story upcoming in The Fiddlehead — now, that’s one I’m proud to be published in.)
Good luck. Have a great week.
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.
Canadian Literary Short Fiction Markets (F-M)
Continuing on last week’s blog, here are another 10+ excellent Canadian literary journals that short story writers can submit to.
The Feathertale Revew (Ottawa, Ontario)
- A humour magazine that publishes hip literary and entertaining work from Canadian writers. 2 issues/year (print and online). Since 2008.
- Considers fiction up to 2,500 words, plus poetry, sketches and cartoons.
- Open submission period. Submit by email or snail mail.
- Pays for work featured in the print Review. Submission Guidelines
The Fieldstone Review (Saskatoon, Saskatchewan)
- Publishes literary work in a variety of styles and genres from emerging and established Canadian and international writers. 1 issue/year (online only). Since 2006.
- Considers fiction up to 2,500 words, plus poetry, creative non-fiction, and reviews.
- One submission period per year (ended January 15, 2017—check guidelines for next period). Submit by email. Submit only 1 story/submission period. Precise submission guidelines–see website. Simultaneous submissions accepted.
- No mention of payment. Submission guidelines.
The Fiddlehead (Fredericton, New Brunswick)
- Publishes accomplished, fresh, and surprising work from new and established authors from the Maritimes, across Canada, and around the world. 4 issues/year (print). Since 1945.
- Considers fiction up to 6,000 words, plus poetry and reviews.
- Open submission period. Submit by snail mail. Exclusive submissions preferred. Responds in 3-9 months.Pays $40/page. Submission Guidelines
filling Station (Calgary, Alberta)
- Publishes innovative work from emerging and established Canadian writers and artists. 3 issues/year (print). Since 1993.
- Considers fiction up to 10 pages, plus poetry, creative non-fiction, articles, reviews, interviews, novel excerpts, visual arts, and photo-essays.
- Open submission period. Submit via Submittable. Simultaneous submissions accepted. Responds in 3-6 months.
- Pays $25 honorarium and a subscription. Submissions Guidelines
Freefall (Calgary, Alberta)
- Publishes “exquisite writing” from new, emerging, and established Canadian writers. 3 issues/year (online). Since 1990.
- Considers fiction up to 4,000 words, plus poetry, reviews, interviews, articles, novel excerpts, plays, creative non-fiction and visual arts.
- Submissions open from January-August (plus fall submissions to an annual contest issue). Submit online. Simultaneous submissions accepted. Responds in 6 months.
- Pays $10/page plus a copy. Submissions Guidelines
Geist (Vancouver, British Columbia)
- An arts and ideas magazine that publishes current literary, humourous and cross-genre writing relevant to Canadians. 3 issues/year (print). Since 1990.
- Considers fiction (no word limit), plus poetry, creative non-fiction, articles, reviews, visual arts, cartoons, and photo-essays.
- Open submission period. Submit by snail mail. Simultaneous submissions accepted. Responds in 4 months.
- Undisclosed payment. Submission Guidelines
Grain (Regina, Saskatchewan)
- Publishes cutting-edge eclectic work from developing and established Canadian and international writers and artists. 4 issues/year (print). Since 1973.
- Considers fiction up to 3,500 words, plus poetry, creative non-fiction, and experimental cross-genres.
- Submissions open from September-May. Submit online or by snail mail. Exclusive submissions only. Submit up to two stories/year. Responds in 6 months.
- Pays $50/page. Submission Guidelines
The Humber Literary Review (Toronto, Ontario)
- Publishes literary, academic, and artistic work relevant to Canadian literature. 2 issues/year (print and online). Since 2014.
- Considers fiction up to 6,000 words, plus poetry, creative non-fiction, essays, reviews, and visual arts.
- Open and themed issues with submission periods announced on the HLR website. (Submissions for the next issue closed on January 20th.) Submit online. Simultaneous submissions accepted.
- Pays $100. Submission Guidelines.
The Impressment Gang (Halifax, Nova Scotia)
- Publishes innovative writing relevant to the Halifax arts and literary community by Canadian and international writers. 3 issues/year (print and online). Since 2014.
- Considers fiction (no word limit), plus poetry, creative non-fiction, and reviews.
- Open submission period. Submit online. Simultaneous submissions accepted. Responds in 6 months.
- Pays $25. Submissions Guidelines
In/Words (Ottawa, Ontario)
- Publishes emerging writers from Carleton University and the Ottawa area, across Canada and around the world. 2-3 issues/year (online only). Since 2001.
- Considers fiction up to 2,000 words (shorter preferred), plus poetry and creative non-fiction, visual arts, and photo-stories.
- Submit to themed issues with specific deadlines (e.g., current theme is “digital dating” with a deadline of January 31st, 2017). Submit by email. One submission/issue. Simultaneous submissions accepted.
- Pays in copies. Submission Guidelines
The Malahat Review (Victoria, British Columbia)
- Publishes “risk-taking” contemporary work from new and established Canadian and international writers. 4 issues/year (print and digital). Since 1967.
- Considers fiction up to 8,000 words, plus poetry, creative non-fiction, reviews, translations, and visual arts.
- Open submission period. (Submissions for an upcoming themed issue on “Victoria Past Present and Future” close May 15th, 2017.) Submit via Submittable. Exclusive submissions preferred. Submit only 1 story/year. Responds in 9 months.
- Pays $60/page plus a subscription. Submission Guidelines.
That’s batch 2 of 4, with more to come next week. Now go write something worth the editors’ time. Have a great week.
Canadian Literary Short Fiction Markets (A-E)
I wrote short stories in my youth and published a dozen in Canadian literary journals–long defunct ones like Writ and Quarry, and still-going-strong ones like The Windsor Review and The New Quarterly (it really was a new quarterly back then). Though I’ve kept up with reading lit mags all my life, I only recently resumed writing short fiction for adults–which requires viewing lit mags as markets.
While some of today’s great Canadian lit mags still have the same submission guidelines they had 20 years ago (snail mail, SASEs and all), I’ve had to make a few updates on my “Lit Mag Submission Guidelines” file (the main change being that the file was on a 3 1/2″ floppy disk so I had to retype the whole thing).
The best resource for Canadian lit mag info is “A Writer’s Guide to Canadian Literary Magazines & Journals” on the Magazine Awards Blog. I’ve cribbed from that guide to make my own list of short story markets, which omits all the poetry bits but adds essential info like word limits, submission methods, and payments. If you’re a short story writer, feel free to crib from my list.
I’m offering the list in 4 parts of 10-12 magazines each because (a) I’m not finished typing the full list yet; and (b) you need time to buy/borrow and read the magazines before you submit to them. Because it would be crazy to try to publish your work in a magazine you’ve never read and might not even like. Right?
Canadian Literary Magazines–Short Fiction Markets A-E
The Antigonish Review (Antigonish, Nova Scotia).
- Publishes established and emerging writers from the Maritimes and across Canada. 4 issues/year (print). Since 1970.
- Considers fiction up to 3,000 words, plus poetry, essays, articles, book reviews, and translations.
- Open submission period. Submit by snail mail. Exclusive submissions only. Response in 4-8 months.
- Pays $50 + 2 copies.
- Submissions Guidelines
Canthius Journal (Ottawa and Toronto, Ontario)
- Publishes emerging and established female-identifying writers. 2 issues/year (print). Since 2015.
- Considers prose (mostly essays but also some fiction) up to 3,500 words, and poetry.
- Submissions are open for the summer issue until April 1st, 2017. Submit through Submittable. Simultaneous submissions accepted. Responds in 3-4 months.
- Pays $5/page + 1 copy.
- Submission Guidelines
The Capilano Review (Vancouver, British Columbia)
- Publishes experimental writing by emerging and established Canadian and international writers. 3 issues/year (print and pdf). Since 1972.
- Considers fiction up to 5,000 words, plus poetry, creative non-fiction, reviews, and visual arts.
- Open and themed issues with specific submission periods, e.g., Deadline April 1, 2017 for themed issue on “Food.” Submit through Submittable. Simultaneous submissions accepted. Responds in 4 months.
- Pays $50-$150.
- Submission Guidelines
Carousel (Guelph, Ontario)
- Publishes new and established Canadian and international artists. 2 issues/year (print). Since 1983.
- Considers fiction up to 3,000 words, plus poetry, comics and visual arts.
- Submissions are closed from January 10-June 30. (So submit after July 1st,, 2017.) Submit by snail mail or through Submittable. Simultaneous submissions accepted. Responds in 4-6 months.
- Pays $55-$100 + a subscription.
- Submission Guidelines
Carte Blanche (Montreal, Quebec)
- Publishes emerging and established writers and artists from Quebec, Canada, and the world. 3 issues/year (online only). Since 2004.
- Considers fiction up to 3,500 words, plus poetry, creative non-fiction, translations, comics, photography, and audio arts.
- Submission periods: March 16th-May 1st and October 1st-December 31st. Submit online. Simultaneous submissions accepted. Responds in 4-6 months.
- Pays “a small honorarium.”
- Submission Guidelines
Cosmonauts Avenue (Montreal, Quebec)
- Publishes literary work from writers around the world. 11 issues/year (online only). Since 2014.
- Considers fiction up to 8,000 words, plus poetry, creative non-fiction, translations, interviews, essays, reviews, and novel excerpts.
- Open submission period. Submit through Submittable. Simultaneous submissions accepted. Responds in 10 weeks.
- No payment.
- Submission Guidelines
The Dalhousie Review (Dalhousie, Nova Scotia)
- Publishes new and established writers of academic and literary works from the Maritimes and across Canada. 3 issues/year (print and digital). Since 1921.
- Considers fiction up to 5,000 words, plus articles, essays, creative non-fiction, poetry, and reviews.
- Open submission period. Submit by snail mail. Exclusive submissions preferred. Responds in 3-9 months.
- Pays 2 copies + offprints.
- Submission Guidelines
Eighteen Bridges (Edmonton, Alberta)
- An arts and culture magazine that publishes mostly commissioned work from established Canadian writers. 4 issues/year (print). Since 2011.
- Considers fiction (no word limit), plus poetry and proposals for articles.
- Open submission period. Submit by snail mail or online. Response time varies.
- Payment varies.
- Submission Guidelines
Event (New Westminster, British Columbia)
- Publishes contemporary poetry and prose from emerging and established Canadian and international writers. 3 issues/year (print and digital). Since 1971.
- Considers fiction up to 5,000 words, plus poetry, creative non-fiction, and reviews.
- Open submission period. Submit through Submittable. Simultaneous submissions accepted. Responds in 6 months.
- Pays $25/page.
- Submission Guidelines
Existere (Toronto, Ontario)
- Publishes emerging and established writers from York University and around the world. 2 issues/year (print). Since 1978.
- Considers fiction up to 3,500 words, plus poetry, essays, novel excerpts, reviews, creative non-fiction, photography and visual arts.
- Open submission period. Submit by email. (There is a precise submission format – see guidelines.) Simultaneous submissions accepted. Responds in 3 months.
- Pays a small honorarium + 1 copy.
- Submission Guidelines
Exile, the Literary Quarterly (Toronto, Ontario)
- Publishes new and established writers and artists from Ontario and Canada. 4 issues/year (print). Since 1972.
- Considers fiction (no word limit) and poetry.
- Open submission period. (Exile also publishes themed anthologies which have specific deadlines. Nothing open at the moment). Submit by snail mail. Exclusive submissions only. Responds in 4-6 months.
- Payment not specified. (Exile anthologies pay approximately 5 cents/word.)
- Submission Guidelines
That’s the top of the alphabet to start with. Happy reading and submitting. More to come Friday.
Have a great week.
A Year Around Here
I found some pictures on my phone taken during dog walks along the Ottawa River over the course of an entire year. (Not this past year, alas–these are from 2015. But nothing much has changed in this particular spot in the world, so these will do as a representative year.)
This is what a year looks like around here. (Notice how short summer is.)
Happy New Year!
Catherine Austen is an award-winning author from Gatineau, Quebec. Her favourite things are books and animals.
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