Last updated: Sept. 21, 2021. Please contact Sylvia Skene if you do not see your deadline listed here. We reserve the right to post only those contests, submission periods and deadlines of interest to or run by our members. A few tips on submitting:
- Some magazines have seen drastic decreases in revenues, and are unable to receive pitches or submissions at this time. If you visit their website but are still unsure, please contact them before submitting.
- Most magazines receive submissions electronically only. Please check before submitting.
- Please only submit or pitch to a magazine after you have read and met the submission requirements and have judged your piece or idea to be a good fit for the magazine’s usual content. Submitting or pitching to any and all magazines, a.k.a. the shotgun approach, just marks you out as lazy and annoys the editors.
- If you wish to submit your work to a magazine, sooner is better, as by deadline most pieces have been selected. Any other work–however great–that doesn’t complement these pieces will likely not be picked up for publication.
- If you’d like to write for a member magazine not listed here, feel free to reach out to the contact on the member’s listing. You never know!
Note: for information on industry and professional awards and deadlines, please visit our Awards resource page.
Deadlines –Â Arts & Literary Magazines
See under the submissions page for details on what each magazine accepts.
EVENT Oct. 15, 2021: Non-Fiction Contest (creative non-fiction)
The Malahat Review Nov. 1, 2021: Open Season Awards (poetry, fiction, or creative non-fiction – not yet open), Feb. 1, 2022: Novella Prize (not yet open)
Portal Nov. 26, 2021: Vancouver Island University (VIU) students only
Preview: Guide to Galleries + Museums Listings only, e.g. art or museum shows and openings. Oct. 7, 2021 for Nov 2021-Jan 2022 issue, Jan. 7, 2022 for Feb-Mar 2022 issue See here for more deadlines.
PRISM international Sept. 30, 2021: Pacific Spirit Poetry Prizes (6 categories: Black, Indigenous, Canadian, US, International and Additional Entry), Dec. 1, 2021: Poetry regular submission, Dec. 31, 2021: Prose regular submission (fiction, non-fiction, drama, translation)
PULP Literature Oct. 15, 2021: Raven Short Story Contest Feb. 15, 2022: Bumblebee Flash Fiction Contest (opens Jan. 1), Apr. 15, 2022: Magpie Award for Poetry (opens Mar. 1), June 15, 2022: Hummingbird Flash Fiction Prize (opens May 1) Fiction in any genre. Entries limited in each category.
Ricepaper Oct. 30, 2021: Theme issue: Myths, Legends and the Supernatural. Accepts visual and written creative content by Asian writers of all cultural backgrounds. See submission guidelines page for details.
ROOM magazine Nov. 15, 2021: Short Forms, Jan. 15, 2022: Cover Art (opens Nov. 15), Mar. 15, 2022: Fiction (opens Jan. 15), June 15, 2022: Creative Non-Fiction (opens Apr. 1), Aug. 31, 2021: Poetry (opens June 15). Fiction, creative nonfiction, poetry, and art by folks of marginalized genders, including but not limited to women (cisgender and transgender), transgender men, Two-Spirit and nonbinary people. (Trans definitions here.)
subTerrain Seasonal submission periods. Open for Winter (#90) submissions, general issue
WordWorks Federation of BC Writers. Contact editor first before submitting. Oct. 15, 2021 for Vol. I (Jan), theme: Beginnings, Feb. 15, 2022 for Vol. II (May), theme TBA Can submit a pitch, article, poem or piece of fiction. Can also submit on non-theme topic.
Deadlines – Other Magazines
Saving Earth Magazine Writer guidelines – Deadlines Sept. 30, 2021 for Winter 2021 (issue #7)
the Verdict Trial Lawyers Association of BC. Dec. 1, 2021 for issue 172
Continual Submissions – Arts & Literary Magazines
See under the submissions page for details on what each magazine accepts.
The Capilano Review Not currently receiving submissions. Sign up to their newsletter to receive notice of when they’re open for submissions.
Dance International Editorial is geared towards dance professionals.
EVENT magazine Reviews only for now, plus via the above contest. Likely reopening for fiction fall 2021, poetry winter 2021.
The Pacific Rim Review of Books Manuscripts and letters only.
PRISM magazine Self-identifying Indigenous writers can submit for free. Low-income writers may contact PRISM to request that a contest fee be waived. See Submittable for more information on what’s being accepted.
PULP Literature Poetry, graphic/comic stories and cover artwork only. Currently also accepting short fiction.
Ricepaper No financial remuneration. Asian contributors of all cultural backgrounds are encouraged to submit.
ROOM Magazine Art, fiction and poetry submissions by women (cisgender and transgender), transgender men, Two-Spirit and nonbinary people.
Rungh IBPOC creators in Canada only. Interviews, essays, fiction, non-fiction, reviews, poetry, original art, illustrations, video, music, performance and more. Can also pitch an idea.
Continual Submissions – Other Magazines
The following magazines generally ask that potential contributors send a pitch or short description of what they want to submit rather than their actual submission. Please review the requirements on the magazine’s website before contacting the editor.
Asparagus Magazine On ecology and related issues.
BAZOOF! Magazine Submissions are welcome from youth (ages 7-14) or their parents/caregivers.
British Columbia History Note also the Anne and Philip Yandle Best Article Award and 2 W. Kaye Lamb Awards for the Best Student works scholarships (deadline March 31 of each year) are given out every year for works on historical topics.
Canadian Aviator Including videos, aerial photos.
Culturally Modified A quarterly online publication sharing stories and inspiration about the management of our cultural resources, both physical and intangible. Can also do pitches for audio interviews, short videos and photo essays.
Dementia Connections Editorial guidelines (pdf). Not sure whether accepting submissions; please contact the publisher if you’re interested.
Digits & Threads A member-supported online magazine for Canadian fibre and textile arts, crafts and industry, for enthusiasts in Canada and around the world.
Here magazine For and by new immigrants to Canada. Need to join the online community.
Island Parent Send pitches to Sue Fast, editor@islandparent.ca
Link magazine BCIT students only: writers, photographers, graphic designers, and bloggers. Theme calendar: September: BCIT Culture & Student Life, October: Mental Health & Wellness, November: Physical Health & Sports, January: Technology & Business, February: Sex & Romance, March: Food & Nutrition, April: Environmental & Activism, Summer: Open Theme
Loose Lips Submissions from experienced writers and journalists are welcome, but POC, LGBTQ+, and writers of all abilities are especially encouraged.
Page One Publishing: Douglas Magazine – Victoria business, Spruce Magazine – home & design, YAM magazine – lifestyle
Vancouver Magazine/Western Living Not sure about VanMag process; check masthead and contact editor if interested. Send WL pitches to wlmail@westernlivingmagazine.com
Watershed Sentinel Environmental news from BC and beyond. Writers guidelines.