THEME

Fables and Folklore

Fables and Folklore considers the intersection between fantasy and reality, exploring the way we use tales to envelope ourselves, our cultures, and our existence. Stories can create space for the imagination where reality falls short by presenting cautionary tales, unveiling hidden truths, and transforming abstract musings into tangible thought. Fables and Folklore draws upon forgotten worlds, whimsical fancies, and reimagined realities; it engages our connections with the people and places around us and invites us to create new tales.

This year, [spaces] Fables and Folklore seeks to explore ways to share our experiences, fears, dreams, and beliefs. This eighteenth edition will be a collection of fictional realism, magical realism, and original fairy tales told through poetry, prose, creative fiction, nonfiction, artwork, and photography. We invite artists who believe in the power of storytelling to answer the question: what are your fables and folklore?

We encourage you to dive into your culture, land, and family to create innovative and striking tales that contribute to our campus's mythos and identity.

Submission Guidelines:

Submissions are open for our 2024-25 academic year until November 1st at midnight.

[spaces] accepts fiction, creative non-fiction, poetry, prose, photos, and artwork by current students and alumni of Trinity Western University. All submissions are subject to an anonymous reading by a vetting panel, with the exception of works submitted by featured guests. Guest contributors are invited through consultation with advisors/and the spaces board. [spaces] does not return manuscripts.

Literary works are accepted on the condition that students attend a revision workshop and should expect to make further changes to their work. This aspect of the process is in keeping with our vision to nurture emerging writers, and to publish the very best (revised) draft of the student’s work.

Upon publication, copyright remains with the writer or artist, but [spaces] asks that should the piece be published elsewhere, first publication by [spaces] will be noted. No part of this journal may be reproduced without the explicit consent of the editors and writer(s) or artist(s).

Submissions to [spaces] must be original works never before published and not simultaneously submitted to any other literary publication. 

In years where we have an experienced translator, we can accept submissions in other languages! If chosen, the piece will be published in the original language, and the translation.

We do not accept artwork, poetry, or prose that has been generated by AI and any AI generated work will be removed from the vetting process. 

Please email any questions, comments, or concerns to spaces.literaryjournal@gmail.com

Please send submissions to spaces.literaryjournal@gmail.com