Submit Your Work
The Malahat Review publishes poetry, short fiction, and creative nonfiction by new and established writers from Canada and abroad as well as reviews of Canadian books. In alternate years, it runs the Long Poem (two $1,000 prizes) and Novella (one $1,500 prize) Contests and the Far Horizons Award for Short Fiction and the Far Horizons Award for Poetry ($1,000). It also holds an annual Constance Rooke Creative Nonfiction Prize (one $1,000 prize), as well as the annual Open Season Awards (one $1000 prize in each of three categories: poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction).
Submission Guidelines
The Malahat Review reads all year. To emphasize the contemporary nature of the writing it publishes, The Malahat Review seldom accepts work with more than one issue's delay in publication. The best way to know what we are looking for is to order an issue at the address below: $14.95 in Canada (including shipping and postage), $16.95 for U.S. orders, and $17.95 for those from elsewhere. You can also subscribe.
Genres
Poetry
Unsolicited poetry submissions should consist of five to ten poems on any subject and in any style. The magazine will often accept several poems by the same author; therefore, please do not limit your submission to a single poem.
*Read Q&As with poetry board members Jay Ruzesky, Kyeren Regehr, and Rhonda Batchelor on what they're looking for in submissions.
Fiction
Unsolicited submissions of short fiction may range in length from 1,200 to 8,000 words. Unless the stories are very short, the editorial board discourages submissions consisting of more than one story. Please specify the number of words in each story submitted.
The Malahat Review often receives stories with potential that nevertheless require further refinement. Very occasionally, it will "tentatively accept" a story of particular promise. With the author's agreement, a fiction board member will work closely with him or her to revise the story in order to evolve to final publishable form. the author will not be paid his or her contributor's honorarium until the story has been finalized. In the unlikelihood that an acceptable final draft cannot be arrived at, the author will be paid a "kill fee" of $100 CAD.
*Read Q&As with fiction board members Julie Paul, Iain Higgins, and Matthew Hooton on what they're looking for in submissions.
Creative Nonfiction
Unsolicited submissions of creative nonfiction may range in length from 1,000 to 3,500 words. No restrictions as to subject matter or approach apply. Creative Nonfiction is literary writing based in fact. It can include, but is not limited to, the personal essay, memoir, narrative nonfiction, social commentary, travel writing, historical accounts, and biography, all enhanced by such elements as description, dramatic scenes, dialogue, and characterization. The Malahat Review endeavours to reflect the wide array of writing that is today categorized as creative nonfiction and does not advocate any one school or style of narrative. However, we do look for stories strongly based in reality that enlighten or educate the reader via fresh insights, powerful use of language, and compelling storytelling. It is not always enough that the stories have a personal basis -- they must move the reader into an apprehension of wider human situations or issues. Unless the stories are very short, the editorial board discourages submissions consisting of more than one story. Please specify the number of words in each story submitted. (Read the Creative Nonfiction Collective's definition of creative nonfiction here.)
*Read a Q&A with creative nonfiction board members Holly Pattison and Vanessa Annand on what they're looking for in submissions.
Translations
The Malahat Review will consider translations of poetry, short fiction, and creative nonfiction. When submitting translated work, please include a copy of the original text and a copy of a letter of permission from the author and/or first-language publisher.
Criticism
The Malahat Review reviews Canadian-authored books of poetry, fiction, and literary nonfiction in every issue. Most reviews are 800 to 1000 words in length. The magazine rarely publishes articles and interviews. Please query first by mail or email since we seldom consider unsolicited book reviews or other criticism. Samples of previously published work should accompany your query.
Artwork
The Malahat Review rarely publishes unsolicited artwork on its cover or on inside pages.
How to Submit
All submissions must be typed and paginated. Poetry must be single-spaced; fiction, creative nonfiction, and book reviews must be doubled-spaced. Your name and contact information should appear on each page. Please include a short biographical note typed on a separate page.
Please only submit one genre per envelope.
All submissions and queries must be accompanied by a self-addressed, stamped envelope. Submissions or queries without a SASE will not be returned or responded to.
No submission should be stapled or held together with one or more paperclips.
Entries from outside Canada require international response coupons (IRCs) or Canadian postage. Foreign postage, including U.S. stamps, is not acceptable for mailing in Canada. Canadian stamps may be purchased online from Canada Post at www.canadapost.ca.
What We Consider Previous Publication
Previous publication is considered to be any appearance in print or online, including on or in a newspaper, newsletter, magazine, anthology, chapbook, book, website, electronic magazine, personal blog, Twitter, or Facebook. Please note that even if the print run or circulation of the print publication where the work has previously appeared is small, this is still considered previous publication. No work that has been excerpted elsewhere is eligible for submission; nor is a work that has been revised since its original publication.
Electronic Submission
The Malahat Review does not consider submissions sent by email.
Simultaneous Submission
The Malahat Review discourages simultaneous submissions.
Response Time
Response time will vary depending on the volume of submissions received. Please allow three months for poetry and nine months for fiction and creative nonfiction.
Payment
We purchase first world serial rights and, upon acceptance, pay $40 CAD per published page plus a one-year subscription. Copyright reverts to the author upon publication.
Mail submissions to:
University of Victoria
P.O. Box 1700
Stn CSC
Victoria, B.C. V8W 2Y2
Canada
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Constance Rooke Creative Nonfiction Prize
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