Prairie Fire Magazine
@prairiefiremag.bsky.social
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Award-winning Canadian journal of innovative writing that has been publishing exceptional writing for over 45 years. One of Canada’s oldest literary magazines.
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Have you met our judges? These are the wonderful writers who will be reading your work this year!

Contest on now until November 30th!

prairiefire.ca/conte...
Image shows contest information, three copies of past contest issues, the PF and McNally Robinson Booksellers logo and an illustration of a typewriter with leaves coming out the back. 
Text: McNally Robinson Booksellers & Prairie Fire Writing Contests
2025 Annual Writing Contests
$3750 in cash prizes! One cash prize of $1250 in each category. 
MRB Poetry Contest (up to three poems per entry, max. 150 lines total) Judge: Tolu Oloruntoba
MRB Short Fiction Contest (one piece per entry, max 5000 words) Judge: Shashi Bhat
MRB Creative Non-Fiction Contest (one piece per entry, max 5000 words) Judge: Basma Kavanagh
Deadline: Nov. 30, 2025
Fee: $34 per entry, which includes a one-year subscription to Prairie Fire. 
Complete guidelines at prairiefire.ca. For inquiries: prfire@prairiefire.ca Shashi Bhat is the author of the story collection Death by a Thousand Cuts (McClelland & Stewart), and the novels The Most Precious Substance on Earth (M&S, Grand Central), and The Family Took Shape (Cormorant). Her fiction received the Writers’ Trust/McClelland & Stewart Journey Prize and was a finalist for the Governor General's Award for fiction, the Thomas Raddall Atlantic Fiction Award, the National Magazine Award for fiction, and the RBC Bronwen Wallace Award, and was longlisted for the Giller Prize. Shashi’s work has appeared in such publications as Hazlitt, The Fiddlehead, The Malahat Review, Best Canadian Stories, and The Journey Prize Stories. She is the editor-in-chief of EVENT magazine and teaches creative writing at Douglas College. Tolu Oloruntoba is the author of three collections of poetry, including Unravel (McClelland & Stewart, 2025), and a winner of the Governor General's Literary Award for English Language Poetry and Canadian Griffin Poetry Prize. He is a member of the poetry board of icehouse poetry, a Goose Lane Editions imprint. He judged Arc Poetry's Tamarack Prize, was on the 2023 CBC Poetry Prize judges panel, and was a peer assessor in the English Language Poetry category of the 2024 Governor General's Literary Awards. Basma is a Lebanese-Canadian artist whose multidisciplinary practice includes writing, drawing, printmaking, artist’s books, textiles, and performance. She has exhibited and performed artwork across Canada and in the US. She has published three volumes of poetry, Ruba’iyat for the Time of Apricots (Frontenac House, 2018), Niche (Frontenac House, 2015) andDistillō (Gaspereau Press, 2012). Basma has been an artist in residence at the Penland School of Craft, the Banff Centre, and the Minnesota Center for Book Arts. Her work has been supported by the Canada Council for the Arts, Arts Nova Scotia, and the Manitoba Arts Council, and she recently completed an MFA in Creative Nonfiction from University of King’s College. She lives and works in Nova Scotia, within Mi'kma'ki, the ancestral and unceded territory of the Mi'kmaq.
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Still a few spots left in our October 18th teen writing workshop!

Learn how to go deeper into your writing practice!

Details: www.prairiefire.ca/workshop-ale...
Emotionally compelling writing graphic
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It's heeeere!! 👽
Our fall issue has arrived! Join us as we explore moments of transformation, big and small!
Big shout-out to our cover artist @sivakhanson for this fabulous image! (We're in love with Siva's work and encourage you to check it out!)
prairiefire.ca/current-issue/
Cover of 46.3, featuring a UFO in the Canadian wilderness Cover of 46.3, featuring a UFO in the Canadian wilderness
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Hey Manitoba! Up for a celebration of home?

www.prairiefire.ca/c...

Deadline to submit: Nov 12.
Call for submissions graphic
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Kate Anderson-Bernier reads from "The Final Frame" which you can read the full version of in our summer issue at prairiefire.ca/current-issue/

Thanks to Kate for sending us this reading!

youtube.com/shorts/wLM1f...
Kate Anderson Bernier reads from "The Final Frame"
YouTube video by Prairie Fire Press Inc.
youtube.com
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Writers ages 16-19, learn how to take your writing up a notch! We're hosting a workshop on October 18th and we would love for you to come!

Details: www.prairiefire.ca/w...
Workshop graphic
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Manitobans! We want to hear from you!

Prairie Fire Press is seeking fiction, creative nonfiction, essays and poetry that showcases and celebrates Manitoba writing by Manitoba writers.

www.prairiefire.ca/s...
Kitchen Party graphic
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Check out the very cool Rose Cullis's new story "The Charm" in our summer issue!
Thanks to Rose for sending this cooool graphic! 😎
Details: prairiefire.ca/current-issue/
Image of Rose Cullis wearing some cool blue sunglasses, standing in front of a graffiti’d brick wall. 

Sophie is arrested by Dee’s anger. Her suffering is brave. Honourable. Sublime even. Sophie sits silently beside Dee, feeling awed by her proximity to a rage and grief so gothic and monstrous in its loneliness.” 
PF’s summer issue on sale NOW at prairiefire.ca
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It's contest season! Our annual writing contests are on NOW until November 30th!

Prairiefire.ca/conte...
Image shows contest information, three copies of past contest issues, the PF and McNally Robinson Booksellers logo and an illustration of a typewriter with leaves coming out the back. 
Text: McNally Robinson Booksellers & Prairie Fire Writing Contests
2025 Annual Writing Contests
$3750 in cash prizes! One cash prize of $1250 in each category. 
MRB Poetry Contest (up to three poems per entry, max. 150 lines total) Judge: Tolu Oloruntoba
MRB Short Fiction Contest (one piece per entry, max 5000 words) Judge: Shashi Bhat
MRB Creative Non-Fiction Contest (one piece per entry, max 5000 words) Judge: Basma Kavanagh
Deadline: Nov. 30, 2025
Fee: $34 per entry, which includes a one-year subscription to Prairie Fire. 
Complete guidelines at prairiefire.ca. For inquiries: prfire@prairiefire.ca
prairiefiremag.bsky.social
Writers ages 16-19! We have a workshop for you!

Learn how to go deeper in your writing! Facilitated by Carrie Hatland with Ben Paulic.

www.prairiefire.ca/w...
Workshop graphic
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Manitoba! This spring, we're celebrating Manitoba writers! Send us your work!

Details: www.prairiefire.ca/submissions/...
Kitchen Party Graphic
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We're down to our last box of copies! Snag a copy of the summer issue, which features "Cultural Differences" by Kevin Calder! Thanks for Kevin for the great beach pic!

Check out the issue here: prairiefire.ca/current-issue/

Text on a grey/blue background of quote from “Cultural Differences” by Kevin Calder.


Text: “On my birthday this year I got kissed by a porn star. It happened inside a gymnasium in front of Joaquin Phoenix. Not the PDA variety French kiss or anything, just ample enough for Joaquin to stop what he was doing, set his dumbbells on the floor and stare at us, if that gives you an idea as to how long the kiss lasted.

It was way better than spending another birthday with my boyfriend, who shared, as coincidence would have it—and there are none of those—the same special day as me. Both years we were together, our birthdays ended up being celebrated at a dinner table with his girlfriend, Aya, wedged in between us.”


PF’s summer issue on sale NOW at prairiefire.ca
Photo by Kevin Calder of two men on the beach. One is sitting on a chair, drinking and smoking. One is sitting on the ground looking at the first man.
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Writers ages 16-19 in the Winnipeg area! We have a workshop opportunity for you!

Join us on October 18th at Artspace!

Registration Details: prairiefire.ca/workshops/
Emotionally Compelling Writing graphic
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Call for Submissions!
A Manitoba Kitchen Party: A Celebration of Home!

Hello Manitoba! PF is seeking fic, cnf, essays and poetry that showcases and celebrates MB writing by MB writers.

Details: www.prairiefire.ca/submissions/call-for-submissions-a-manitoba-kitchen-party-a-celebration-of-home/
Manitoba Kitchen Party graphic
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Contest season is here! Get your submissions in my November 30th!

Contest details at prairiefire.ca/conte...
Image shows contest information, three copies of past contest issues, the PF and McNally Robinson Booksellers logo and an illustration of a typewriter with leaves coming out the back. 
Text: McNally Robinson Booksellers & Prairie Fire Writing Contests
2025 Annual Writing Contests
$3750 in cash prizes! One cash prize of $1250 in each category. 
MRB Poetry Contest (up to three poems per entry, max. 150 lines total) Judge: Tolu Oloruntoba
MRB Short Fiction Contest (one piece per entry, max 5000 words) Judge: Shashi Bhat
MRB Creative Non-Fiction Contest (one piece per entry, max 5000 words) Judge: Basma Kavanagh
Deadline: Nov. 30, 2025
Fee: $34 per entry, which includes a one-year subscription to Prairie Fire. 
Complete guidelines at prairiefire.ca. For inquiries: prfire@prairiefire.ca
prairiefiremag.bsky.social
The weather might be cooling down, but our summer issue is still hot and includes the prize-winning poem "I find Adam's rib in my mother's tongue' by Cassandra Eliodor!!

Check out the issue at prairiefire.ca/curre...

Text on a dark magenta background of quote from “I find Adam’s rib in my mother’s tongue” by Cassandra Eliodor.

Text: “In the beginning, god made sound
an opening of the mouth
the movements of the throat without the tongue
—la langue

/
	Perhaps, before the split,
there was never a need for the tongue
back when meaning came from the same belly
and lied inside a single skull”

PF’s summer issue on sale NOW at prairiefire.ca
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We're back! The PF Submittable portal is now accepting submissions!

prairiefirepress.sub...
Submittable now open!
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Check out Erika Thorkelson's coming of age story "Smoker" in our summer issue, on sale now at prairiefire.ca and in stores across Canada!
Thanks to Erika for sending this picture of herself circa "Smoker".

Check out the issue at prairiefire.ca/current-issue/

Text on a textured background of quote from “Smoker” by Erika Thorkelson.

Text: “It was a sugar high multiplied by a thousand, the first time I realized a chemical could release some of the pressure I’d been carrying in my body. I didn’t yet know there would be a crash. We grabbed for the pack, and each lit another.”

PF’s summer issue on sale NOW at prairiefire.ca 10 year old Erika Thorkelson.
prairiefiremag.bsky.social
Our annual writing contests are on now until November 30th!

prairiefire.ca/conte...
Image shows contest information, three copies of past contest issues, the PF and McNally Robinson Booksellers logo and an illustration of a typewriter with leaves coming out the back. 
Text: McNally Robinson Booksellers & Prairie Fire Writing Contests
2025 Annual Writing Contests
$3750 in cash prizes! One cash prize of $1250 in each category. 
MRB Poetry Contest (up to three poems per entry, max. 150 lines total) Judge: Tolu Oloruntoba
MRB Short Fiction Contest (one piece per entry, max 5000 words) Judge: Shashi Bhat
MRB Creative Non-Fiction Contest (one piece per entry, max 5000 words) Judge: Basma Kavanagh
Deadline: Nov. 30, 2025
Fee: $34 per entry, which includes a one-year subscription to Prairie Fire. 
Complete guidelines at prairiefire.ca. For inquiries: prfire@prairiefire.ca
prairiefiremag.bsky.social
Check out the winning Creative Non-Fiction piece from our 2024 writing contests by Siavash Saadlou! "At Home in Avonlea" is in our summer issue, found here: prairiefire.ca/curre...
Text on a dark blue background of quote from “At Home in Avonlea” by Siavash Saadlou

Text: “I couldn’t help but think of how Canadians might have felt when their sons went off to die in a war so far from home. In Iran, “martyrdom” was a word laden with honour and expectation, shaping our perception of war. I wondered if Canadians experienced grief differently—without the burden of pompous language.”

PF’s summer issue on sale NOW at prairiefire.ca
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Thanks to Noah Cain for sending this video of his poem "The Work of His Hands", which is featured in our summer issue!
Check out the issue at: prairiefire.ca/current-issue/
Reposted by Prairie Fire Magazine
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It's not too early to send in your contest entries! The McNally Robinson Booksellers & Prairie Fire Annual Writing Contests are on now until November 30th!

prairiefire.ca/conte...
Image shows contest information, three copies of past contest issues, the PF and McNally Robinson Booksellers logo and an illustration of a typewriter with leaves coming out the back. 
Text: McNally Robinson Booksellers & Prairie Fire Writing Contests
2025 Annual Writing Contests
$3750 in cash prizes! One cash prize of $1250 in each category. 
MRB Poetry Contest (up to three poems per entry, max. 150 lines total) Judge: Tolu Oloruntoba
MRB Short Fiction Contest (one piece per entry, max 5000 words) Judge: Shashi Bhat
MRB Creative Non-Fiction Contest (one piece per entry, max 5000 words) Judge: Basma Kavanagh
Deadline: Nov. 30, 2025
Fee: $34 per entry, which includes a one-year subscription to Prairie Fire. 
Complete guidelines at prairiefire.ca. For inquiries: prfire@prairiefire.ca
prairiefiremag.bsky.social
Head to summer camp in the '60s w/ Susan Glickman's piece "Sweet Water: An Autobiography with Musical Interludes". ⛺️
This story (& lots more!) can be found in our summer issue!
Thxs to Susan for sending these pics of her & her siblings in '67 & the drawing of the loon!

Prairiefire.ca/current-issue/
Text on textured background of quote from “Sweet Water: An Autobiography with Musical Interludes” by Susan Glickman

Text:
“Camp Wapomeo was situated on Canoe Lake, notorious as the site of painter Tom Thomson’s mysterious death/probable murder. The senior girls’ dock was where we went to encounter his ghost, a spirit no one feared and everybody welcomed. A spirit we absolutely believed in, since you could distinctly hear an invisible canoe paddle up to the dock, go briefly silent, then resume its passage on the other side.”

PF’s summer issue on sale NOW at prairiefire.ca Susan Glickman and siblings on the beach in 1967. Drawing of a loon
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Signal Boost!
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In the tradition of the poem as an act of love, as an act of protest, an act of visionary incantation, of remembrance, of a call to arms, and a much-needed balm—Coach House Books is inviting poetry submissions for an upcoming anthology of occasional poems, ed. @sinaqueyras.bsky.social
A PDF with information on submitting work to On Occasion, a poetry anthology edited by Sina Queyras. For this information in a different format, please email anthology.coachhouse@gmail.com.