WestWord magazine is published quarterly and contains articles about the writing life and business, profiles of Alberta writers, listings of markets and contests, member news, upcoming events, and more. Subscriptions are included with membership. Back issues are available in the member section of the WGA website.
Advertising
To place an ad in WestWord or for more information, please contact our head office at [email protected] or by phone at 780.422.8174 (1.800.665.5354 toll free Alberta).
Submission Guidelines
Guidelines for Writers
How to submit an article
- Send your article by email to [email protected] with the subject: “WestWord Article.”
- Please use Times New Roman, 12-point font, and double-space and paginate your document.
- Name your file as “[Surname]—[Title]” (for example: “Smith—Untitled”).
- Attach your submission as .doc or .docx files.
- We suggest your article be between 500 and 1,500 words in length.
How to submit a proposal
In addition to commissioned articles, WestWord welcomes unsolicited submissions.
- Your proposal should express concisely and coherently the article’s essential elements; how you intend to approach the article; the section of the magazine best suited to the idea; and a summary of your credentials (no CVs please).
- Email enquiries to [email protected] with the subject: “WestWord Article Proposal.”
- The body of your email should contain your name, contact information, brief biography and outline of your proposal.
- WestWord has a small staff. The response time to all proposals will vary.
Copyright and payment for articles published
- We buy first Canadian serial print rights and limited, non-exclusive digital rights; copyright reverts to the author after publication.
- Publication occurs within a year of acceptance.
- WestWord believes writers should be compensated fairly for their work and pays industry rates for articles.
How to submit a letter to the editor
Letters to the editor are welcomed as a way to encourage an exchange of ideas and opinions among members.
- Email enquiries to [email protected] with the subject: “WestWord Letter to the Editor.”
- The body of your email should contain your name and contact information.
Member News Submissions
Writers’ Guild of Alberta members in good standing may submit announcements about book publications, awards won, or other news about their writing life to the Member News section of WestWord. Submit news via email to [email protected]. For book announcements, you can also use the Tell Us About Your Books form to include your book announcement on the Member Books page, WriteClick, and/or WestWord using a single form (see here for more details and the form).
Guidelines for Artists and Photographers
How to submit artwork and photos
WestWord welcomes enquiries from artists and photographers. We are interested in images that relate to writing and the writer’s life.
- Email enquiries to [email protected] with the subject: “WestWord Imagery Proposal.”
- The body of your email should contain your name, contact information, brief biography and links to your work.
- All digital images for publication should be 300 dpi, TIFF, JPG or EPS format.
- Please contact the editor about publishing photos of conferences, author’s readings and presentations.
Copyright and payment for artwork and photographs
- We buy first Canadian serial print rights and limited, non-exclusive digital rights; copyright reverts to the author after publication.
- WestWord welcomes inquiries for cover art, and interior art and photographs. Contact the editor for more details at [email protected].
WriteClick Submission Guidelines
The WGA welcomes news about members. You are invited to submit announcements about awards won, upcoming book launches, public readings, literary news or other news to [email protected].
Deadlines
| WestWord Volume Issue | Dates of Distribution | Deadline for Ad Bookings | Deadline for Submitting Pitches | Deadline for Member News* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
January – March |
January 1 – March 30 |
November 15 |
October 1 |
November 15 |
|
April – June |
April 1 – June 30 |
February 15 |
December 1 |
February 15 |
|
July – September |
July 1 – September 30 |
May 15 |
March 1 |
May 15 |
|
October – December |
October 1 – December 31 |
August 15 |
June 1 |
August 15 |
*For member news announcements, please note that you can submit book announcements at any time, but if you submit after the deadline your books will be included in the next issue of the magazine