2010 Themed Calls
As well as an open call for unthemed submissions to our journal, Descant is looking for special submissions for the following future themed issue:

(i) Ghosts and The Uncanny (deadline: March 01, 2010)

An idea, like a ghost, must be spoken
to a little before it will explain itself.
– Charles Dickens

For this special issue, Descant turns ghost hunter and dares to explore the murky connections between life and death, science and superstition, folk beliefs and fictions. We are looking for apparitions of all kinds. Do you have paranormal poetry? Are you haunted by the past? Do you have a ghost of an idea? Perhaps you’d like to address the role of ghosts in literature and film. We want to document the existence of ghosts, both literal and metaphorical, on our pages.

– Guest editors, Alex Maeve Campbell and Christina Francisco

(ii) Sicily (deadline: June 01, 2010)


Sicily … perhaps no other island conjures up such vivid images as the ancient island of Sicily. What comes to mind? Romantic idyll or land of feuding rivalries? The mafia? An island apart from mainstream Italian culture? What is your Sicily? Does every culture have its own Sicily — its own outsiders living within its midst? Explode the stereotypes and delve into a modern reality of what Sicily represents for you as a writer. Descant is requesting submissions of unpublished fiction, poetry, essays, photography and previously unpublished works of translation from the Sicilian.

– Guest editors, Michelle Alfano and Venera Fazio

Before submitting work to Descant, you may wish to consider the following guidelines:

C O N T E N T
Descant considers submissions of poetry (submit about six poems), short stories, novel excerpts, plays, essays, interviews, musical scores and visual presentations. Standards for acceptance are high. We receive a large number of submissions every month – please send only your best, carefully edited work. No submission may be under consideration by another publisher, nor can it have been previously published. Please note that it can take up to 12 months to hear back from us regarding your submission. *

F O R M A T
Submissions must be typed, double-spaced on one side of the page, with ample margins. Good quality photocopies or computer printouts are acceptable. On your envelope please print your full name, type of submission and complete address.

Manuscripts may be sent back if they do not adhere to format guidelines.

Art submissions can be mailed to us, either on hard copy or on CD-R. If sending on CD-R, use low resolution jpgs or pdf, preferably Mac format, but PC is acceptable. As with writing, we do not accept email submission or links to websites.

R E T U R N
Our preferred method of responding to submissions is by email; note that should you choose to have us communicate using this method, unsuccessful applications will be recycled following our response.

If you would prefer a paper response and/or your manuscript returned, include a SASE with adequate Canadian postage or International Reply Coupons.

Americans please note: U.S. postage on SASEs is not sufficient! Please use IRCs or Canadian postage on your SASE.

R E C O M M E N D A T I O N
We recommend that you read at least one issue of the magazine before submitting work. Descant is available in public libraries and bookstores across the country, and sample copies may be purchased from our office for $13 each, including postage. Get a copy here.

I F   A C C E P T E D
If accepted, it may take Descant up to 12 months to publish accepted works (occasionally longer, often shorter). Descant pays a $100 honourarium upon publication.

Mailing Address:
Descant
PO Box 314, Station P
Toronto, ON
M5S 2S8

General Questions?: info@descant.ca

* Please note that it can take up to 12 months to hear back from us regarding your submission: we appreciate your patience!

Our policies are reflective of the reality of our editorial procedures, which do take time. Descant receives more than 1500 submissions a year (!), and, simply put, that's a lot of text to go through. Although we have an extremely attentive team of Co-Editors (these are the folks who read all the subs and then make the tough choices) it should be noted that these kind individuals are powering all that is "Descant" from an editorial perspective using only volunteer hours as energy. They only have so much time to offer, and try their best to give your work all the attention it deserves.

Please respect the realities of our editorial process; if you are wondering about the status of your submission, and an appropriate amount of time has passed, feel free to politely enquire at: info@descant.ca