Submit Your Work
to Island Writer

• You must be a Victoria Writers’ Society member.
  (Join Here)
• Works are accepted from both established and emerging writers currently living on Vancouver Island and the surrounding islands.

• Poetry: 100 lines max.
• Fiction: 5,000 words max.
  • Chapters from novels may be accepted if they can stand alone
• Creative Nonfiction: 2,500 words max.
• Flash Fiction/Nonfiction: 500 words max.
• Book Reviews: 500 words max.
  • Reviews must be of a new or current publication by a member of the Victoria Writers’ Society. 
  • Reviews cannot be done by the author of the publication.
• Cover Art/Photograph: subject matter must relate to Vancouver Island and the surrounding islands.

• One piece per category allowed. Separate submissions for each are required.
• Authors are requested to use inclusive language that respects diversity. No racism, hate, terrorism, or sexism will be tolerated.
• We do not accept stories written by AI tools such as Chat GPT. 
• Authors and photographers retain all copyright after publication.
• Selection is “blind,” and each submission must stand on its own merit. Content editors do not know who has submitted particular pieces of writing.
  • For this reason, details such as the author’s name should not be present anywhere in a submission or in the file name, but will be added after acceptance for publication.
• All interactions between and among Island Writer team members and authors must be respectful. The Island Writer team is entirely made up of volunteers. Please be considerate of their donated time.
• Authors whose work is selected for publication will be given an opportunity, consistent with publication timelines, to proofread their pieces but will not be able to make substantive edits.
• Content editors and the editor-in-chief strive to publish pieces that encompass a variety of topics, genres, perspectives, and experiences.

• Do not include your name on any of the documents you submit. Selections are made blindly.
• Submit a .doc or .docx file.
• Use Times New Roman, 12 point font, double spaced.
• Use tabs, not spaces, to indent paragraphs.
• Avoid leaving unnecessary spaces in your document and between paragraphs unless required for creative formatting.
• Poetry layout is dependent on available page space. Generally, 25 lines fit comfortably on one page.
• Check spelling and grammar. It is strongly advised to seek an independent review of your work before submitting.

• Send your .doc or .docx file as an attachment to the Editor-in-Chief, Valerie White: editor@victoriawriters.ca.
• In the subject line of your email, include: Island Writer – [Category].
  • Category options: poetry, fiction, creative nonfiction, flash fiction/nonfiction, cover art, or book review.
  • E.g. Island Writer – Fiction

Please allow up to 7 business days for receipt of your submission to be acknowledged.

Include the Following in the Body of Your Email:

• The title of your piece and the word count.
• Your name.
• Indication if you are a current, paid member of the Victoria Writers’ Society.
• Mailing address (for residence verification).
• Phone number (so we can reach you if something weird happens to your e-mail).
• A short bio (30-40 words).

• Demonstration of the art of storytelling;
• Character development, accounts of personal change or unique understanding of the human condition;
• A variety of plots, settings and themes;
• Vivid imagery, keen observation, lyrical or emotive language;
• Use of convention in grammar, spelling, punctuation and syntax following the Canadian Press Stylebook unless there is a literary rationale for deviation.