Geist is a magazine of ideas and culture made in Canada with a strong literary focus and a sense of humour. The Geist tone is intelligent, plain-talking, inclusive and offbeat. Each issue represents a convergence of fiction, non-fiction, poetry, photography, art, reviews, little-known facts of interest, cartography, and the legendary Geist crossword puzzle.
Before submitting work, please read an issue of the print magazine, or dig deep into the archives at geist.com. While you’re at it, why not read (or reread) George Orwell’s pertinent essay “Politics and the English Language”? You may also want to check out the tips in our Writer’s Toolbox.
Non-fiction: We publish short non-fiction, usually personal narrative, in the Notes and Dispatches section. Longer non-fiction pieces are published as Features. We are especially interested in photographs and stories about family history (see Julia L. Star’s “The Patio”) and in historical narrative (see Stephen Osborne’s “Signs and Portents”). Send a maximum of one longer piece or two shorter pieces.
Fiction: We publish short stories in the Features section. Send one story at a time. We also hold contests, including the annual Geist Literal Literary Postcard Story Contest for short-short stories. Winning entries and honourable mentions appear in the magazine and at geist.com.
Poetry: Send a maximum of 5 poems.
Photography/Art: We look for art and photography to accompany written work in the magazine, and we also publish art and photo essays with text by the artist. The best way to submit your work is by regular post, but you can also send an email to artsubmissions@geist.com with a brief introduction and low-res jpeg files or a website link. When submitting artwork by mail, send digital media or photocopies only—no originals.
Reviews: Endnotes are written by Geist staff and correspondents. We do not publish unsolicited reviews, but we will always read and consider critical essays dealing with issues of the imagination as reflected, for instance, in the work of one more authors. (See Alberto Manguel’s “I Believe Because It’s Impossible” in Geist 71.)
Findings: We reprint excerpts from published work and works-in-progress in the Findings section, along with documents and interesting items found on the web, or anywhere in the real world. We appreciate suggestions from writers, artists and publishers.
Naturally, these categories are flexible. We like work that crosses genres or that surprises us in other ways.
We do not accept e-mail submissions, except for art and photography. Please send manuscripts by mail to:
Editorial Board, Geist
#200 - 341 Water Street
Vancouver, B.C.
Canada V6B 1B8
Include a sase with Canadian postage or irc. Simultaneous submissions are okay, but please note it in your cover letter and let us know if your submission is accepted elsewhere. We buy first North American serial rights for most original work, and second or third serial rights for previously published work (including work published on the internet).
Please wait at least two months before e-mailing to check on the status on your submission.
