FAQ

Do I have to be from Northern Ontario to submit work? What boundaries do you consider for Northern Ontario? 

While we prioritise publishing work by writers and artists from Northern Ontario, submissions are open to anyone who feels a connection to the region. Though we technically consider Northern Ontario to be the statistical region shown here (and depicted in our logo) – we like to extend our small-town hospitality by saying: “Everyone’s welcome here.”

Does my work have to be about Northern Ontario?

It can be, but it doesn’t have to be. We prioritise supporting voices from our northern communities because they are underrepresented in the publishing world. While our shared geography has definitely helped inform and inspire these voices, we know it certainly does not – and should not – limit them. At Give’r! Magazine, we are interested in promoting those works which both celebrate our diversity and explore our shared experiences; we want the works that only you can create.

​​Can anyone submit work? Do your Readers know who’s work they are reading?

Yes and yes. While many publishers prefer to consider work separate from its writer or artist, we ask that you share with us a little about yourself and your connection to your work with every submission you send our way. Here’s why: we value supporting works created by people who have traditionally been marginalised, especially #OwnVoices works.

We particularly welcome submissions from individuals who identify as: BIPOC writers, writers with disabilities, LGBTQ2S+ writers, and writers from other intersectional and under-represented communities. If (and only if) you feel comfortable identifying yourself as one or more of the above, please do mention this in your cover letter. We respect your privacy and your journey, and will never disclose any personal information you choose to share with us without your consent, and we will never ask you to disclose any personal information to us that you are not interested in sharing.

We are proud to offer a #saferLIT platform. As such, we will not consider work that is ableist, misogynistic, queer-phobic or racist, or work that seeks to harm, humiliate or demean. If we receive work from a writer or artist that demonstrates a pattern of any bigotry or intent to cause harm, we will no longer accept submissions from that individual. If you feel that work we have published fits that criteria, or that any writer or artist we have published does not align with our ethos, we encourage you to contact us to discuss your concerns in confidence, and we commit to investigating and taking action with regards to any such claims. We listen and we stand by our community members, especially those most vulnerable.

​Do you charge a submission or reading fee?

Nope, submissions are always free for everyone at Give’r! Magazine. We believe you deserve barrier-free opportunities to showcase your work to the world and we are committed to providing that for you. We value your work and we want to see you being paid for it – not the other way around!

​​How many works can I submit at a time?

We know you’ve got a lot of fantastic work to show us, but we can only read and publish so much every month. So, we ask that you only send us up to 3 writing pieces at a time, in one specific category (ie. Poetry, CNF, Flash, Hybrid or Visual Arts). They don’t have to be pieces in a series, but if we think they go together well, we may decide to publish some or all of them in a single issue.

Do you accept simultaneous submissions?

We want you to have many opportunities to succeed, and so we are happy to accept simultaneous submissions. Of course, if your work is accepted elsewhere while we are still considering it, please let us know immediately out of respect for our Readers, and so we can send you our congrats!

​​Can I send in work that has been previously published?

At this time, we are seeking only unpublished works – but congrats to you on having your work published elsewhere! If there are exceptional circumstances why you feel this particular work needs to be republished (for example, we know a lot of writers and artists are looking for #saferLIT spaces), please do send us an inquiry and we’d be happy to start a dialogue with you. We are here to support you.

​​Can I resubmit a piece that you previously declined?

Inevitably, we have to turn away a lot of great work simply because it doesn’t fit with the current issue we’re building. Sometimes, if we feel really strongly about a piece like this, we may ask if we can hold onto it for a future issue. Other times, we might come across a piece that we feel is *almost* there, but not quite ready for publication yet, so we might ask you if you’d consider editing or reworking it for us. Beyond these two situations, the only time we’d consider re-reading a previously submitted piece is if it’s undergone a drastic rewrite. But you should know – just because we might not be able to offer the right home for your work doesn’t mean it won’t find the perfect home elsewhere.

​​Can I submit new work to another issue after being published (or declined)?

Absolutely, though we do prioritise new writers and artists who have not submitted to us before. So long as you keep creating evocative work, we want to keep reading it and sharing it with the world!

​Do you provide free Contributor copies?

We always provide our writers and artists with digital editorial proofs of the full issue prior to publication, however, we are not able to provide free print copies at this time.

​Do I keep the copyright of my work published by you?