We are now accepting pitches for issue 03. The call for submissions will close on May 13th, 2024.

issue 03: migration

For issue 03, ISSAY! Magazine invites contributors to interrogate the roots and ripples of migration. Stretched out across time and space, how does movement change us? How do we transform with our surroundings and stay fixed to our origins?

Displacement–as a tool of violence, as a means of expansion, and as a personal experience of damage and discovery–is at the core of this publication’s identity. With this collection, we invite authors and artists to excavate sites of displacement and make sense of what is revealed. Where, and from whom does inheritance (of practice, of ideas, feelings, processes, etc.) take place? And how might we act as archivists of the histories lost, found, and created along the way? 

We welcome pitches for any of the following:

Essays/Articles (1000-1500 words)

Essays, both personal and academic in nature, are welcome at ISSAY! Magazine. We value longform writing that has a clear point of view, is informative, and avoids unnecessary jargon. Although we are not an academic publication we require citation when necessary in the form of Chicago Manual Style. 

Poetry (up to 4 pieces)

Poetry can be performed or written.

If submitting more than one poem, please compile into one .pdf, MP4, or M4A file

Reviews (500-1000 words) 

Reviews of art works, performances, books, movies, etc. should be thoughtful, candid, and provide personal insight. The art in review should be somewhat local to the writer, but does not need to be local to ISSAY!. We believe in prioritizing care in the creation process so if you don't like something, tell us why but do so with empathy for the artist whose work is in question. 

Creative Fiction (up to 1800 words)

Creative Fiction encompasses works such as scripts, short stories, scenes, letters, and experimental writing that does not neatly fit into one of the above categories. 

Interviews (800-1600 words)

ISSAY! Mag is interested in conversations between peers that are engaging and provide the reader with richer insight into the interviewee(s) practice. Transcriptions must be edited for readability by the interviewer. All interviews must include an introduction prior to the Q+A section. 

Photo Essays (4-8 images) 

Photo Essays should be a series of images that serve a central concept or story. We’re looking for compelling, diverse works that evoke emotion and communicate a narrative. Both film and digital photography are acceptable. Image files must be submitted as .jpeg or .tiff. 

How to submit your pitch:

Email elsha.samson@mountainstandardtime.org with the subject heading:

[YOUR NAME] ISSAY! Pitch. Please attach your pitch file in the form of a .pdf titled FirstNameLastName_Category.pdf (ie. JohnSmith_Review.pdf) 

Your pitch file should contain:

  • Your name

  • city of residence

  • email address  

  • A brief proposal of what you want to write/submit (max 250 words) 

  • An artist statement or bio (max 250 words) 

  • Links to any relevant examples of your work, previously published writing, existing artworks, or a first draft/excerpt from the work you intend to submit if already in progress

ISSAY! Mag publishes non-fiction, creative fiction, poetry, visual, digital, and performance art from contributors around the world. If you’re not not sure if your work is right for ISSAY!, please send us an email here.

ISSAY! Magazine accepts non-english works and will pay for necessary translation costs. 

We are looking for unpublished work. If you have submitted the same pitch to other publications, please note that in the body of your email. If another publication accepts your work first, please advise us immediately.

The deadline for submitting your pitch or first draft is May 13th, 2024. 

Compensation:

  • Essays, articles, reviews, and creative fiction writers will be paid a rate of $0.60 per word for a maximum of $600 CAD

  • For interviews, interviewers will be paid a rate of $0.50 for a maximum of $500, and interviewees will be compensated with a $100 honorarium. 

  • For poetry, writers will be compensated a minimum of $75 per poem

  • Photographers will be paid a rate of $75 per published image

  • Visual and performance artists will be paid a rate of $75 per published submission