For over 50 years, EVENT has published the very best in contemporary new poetry and prose. We are one of Western Canada’s longest-running literary magazines, and welcome submissions written in English from around the world. Each issue of EVENT includes high quality fiction, poetry, non-fiction and book reviews, and we feature emerging and established writers side-by-side in our pages. Visit www.eventmagazine.ca

PLEASE BE ADVISED: Canadian Fiction (August 2026) and Canadian Poetry (August 2026) have reached their submission caps and are now closed. We will open again to fiction and poetry submissions on December 1.

Submission Periods

UNLESS OTHERWISE POSTED, WE ACCEPT FICTION AND POETRY SUBMISSIONS DURING FOUR MONTHS OF THE YEAR:

• JANUARY
• JULY
• AUGUST
• DECEMBER

EACH SUBMISSION PERIOD BEGINS ON THE FIRST OF THE MONTH AND LASTS UNTIL THE FINAL DAY OF THE MONTH, OR THE DATE THE SUBMISSION CAP IS REACHED (WHICHEVER COMES FIRST). WE ENCOURAGE WRITERS TO SUBMIT EARLY IN THE MONTH TO AVOID DISAPPOINTMENT.

What We’re Looking For

Fiction: Whether you’ve never published before, or you’ve published seven novels, we’re looking for the same thing: compelling characters, plots that surprise us, narratives that move us, stories that have something new to say. 

Poetry: We love poems that are lyrical without being overwrought, and are profound without being pretentious. We look for honesty of emotion, and images that arrest us. 

Non-Fiction: The creative non-fiction we publish mainly comes through our annual Non-Fiction Contest due to limited page space. We are looking for real-life experiences told as riveting narratives  with distinct voices. We publish essays that feel artful and true. Our 2026 Non-Fiction Contest is currently open.

Your best bet at getting your work published in EVENT is by reading some of our issues. Find the current issue at Chapters/Indigo, libraries or local newsstands; subscriptions and single issues in print or digital format can also be purchased online or through our office.

The Details:

• We will consider only ONE submission at a time, in one genre. Once you have received a response from us, you are free to submit another piece of writing. 
• However, writers with manuscripts currently under submission are permitted to submit to our annual Non-Fiction Contest.
• Writers may only appear in EVENT once every two years, with the exception of Reviews, contest winners and Notes on Writing essays. 
• Simultaneous submissions are fine, but please advise us immediately should a piece under consideration be accepted elsewhere.
• We review every manuscript we receive. During high volume periods, responses may take up to six months.
• Submissions must be entirely human-created. We do not accept work that was written, developed or assisted in any capacity by artificial intelligence (AI) tools such as ChatGPT.
• We publish work by Douglas College students, but do not publish work by Douglas College staff or faculty (or their family members) who have had an affiliation with the college within the past two years, with the exception of reviews.
• Please review our Editorial Policy for rights, payment policies and additional details.
• See the individual categories below for more specific details about submitting.

Reading Service for Writers 

If your manuscript needs another eye, try EVENT’s Reading Service for Writers.  Manuscripts will be edited by one of EVENT’s experienced editors and  receive an assessment of 700-1000 words detailing strengths and  weaknesses, and providing recommendations for revision. All manuscripts submitted will also be considered for publication.