How to Submit
Submitting Your Work.
Every three months, the Alexandrian publishes an online journal of works that add to the Canadian Catholic culture. Thank you for your interest in contributing your own talent! We publish artwork, short stories, poetry, drama and essays. Feel free to submit other works of thought or creativity that do not fall into these categories, keeping in mind that our primary purpose is to add new creative and thoughtful works to the culture, not analyze those that exist – for example, we would rather print a short story than a book review.
Look ahead at our list of themes for upcoming issues, or contact us to suggest a theme. For a better idea of our perspective and goals, read our mission and ideals.
How To Submit.
When you have a submission ready, having read the specifications below, email it to the editor, along with:
- Your name,
- Your preferred email address,
- Your age and citizenship (optionally).
Your information is not given to the editors when they judge your work, allowing them to make unbiased decisions. Age and citizenship are only requested because we may give priority to the work of Canadian youth; all submissions, however, will be judged on their own merit. Your email address is only used to inform you of the decision of the editors, and when you are accepted, to work with you in the editing process.
Editing.
After approving a work for publication, our team of editors may suggest changes which you, as author or artist, can choose to implement in your work. Whenever a work is edited, the result must be approved by the author or artist before it is published.
Copyright.
Since the Alexandrian is a free online journal, we do not ask our authors or artists to transfer the copyright of their works. This policy may change in the future, but right now, you are perfectly free to have a work published by the Alexandrian and sell it to another publisher later. Copyright law automatically protects “tangible and unique expressions of creativity,” without requiring registration. See Canadian Legal FAQs: Copyright for an overview of copyright law.
Art.
We welcome submissions of paintings, pen and ink or pencil drawings, digital art and sculpture.
Since this is an online journal, you need only email the editor a digital photograph of your work of art. Photos should be sent in JPG, PNG or BMP format, with a minimum size of 600×800px and a maximum of 1200×1600px.
Short Stories.
Short stories in any genre will be appreciated! We especially hope to encourage those writing fiction from a Catholic perspective. If you are an inexperienced author, you can get help from our editors and other authors in our facebook group.
Stories should be from 1000 to 7500 words in length, and be saved in Microsoft Word, Rich Text (RTF) or WordPerfect format.
Poetry.
We accept both formal (metrical) poetry and free verse. Since our purpose is to revive a tradition which our culture has lost, however, we have a special interest in encouraging a return to formal verse. Since many contemporary poets and critics have little experience writing in metre, we recommend the book Writing Metrical Poetry by William Baer.
Your poem can be of any length, rhyming or unrhymed, and in any form. Please send it in the text of your email or as a Microsoft Word, Rich Text (RTF) or WordPerfect attachment.
Drama.
One-act plays and other short plays are now being accepted by the Alexandrian. Follow standard formatting by listing the characters and summarizing the situation and set before beginning the script. Non-verbal cues ought to be italicized within parentheses. Plays should be kept under 7500 words in length.
Philosophy.
We anticipate a fruitful dialogue and mutual enriching of Thomistic and Personalist schools of philosophy in the Catholic world. Works from other schools and methods in line with the teachings of the Catholic Faith are also welcome.
Papers or essays should be from 1000 to 5000 words in length, be formatted in MLA style with all sources cited, and be saved in Microsoft Word, Rich Text (RTF) or WordPerfect format.
Other Essays.
Essays on theology, literature and even life experience are welcome. Keep in mind that we are interested in rebuilding a Catholic culture, so more culturally relevant essays will be given priority. The length and formatting guidelines are the same as for the philosophy section.