The landscape of Canadian literary publication is significantly shaped by regional hubs that foster artistic growth, and among the most prominent in Alberta is FreeFall. Based in Calgary, Alberta, FreeFall operates as a sophisticated conduit for the expression of poetry, fiction, and non-fiction. The magazine functions not merely as a periodical but as a mission-driven entity managed by the FreeFall Literary Society of Calgary. This society was established as a non-profit group in 2008, following a pivotal transition in leadership where Micheline Maylor and Lynn C. Fraser assumed control of the publication. The shift to a non-profit structure ensures that the magazine's primary objective remains the advancement of literary arts rather than commercial profit, allowing it to prioritise the quality of work and the development of writerly voices over marketability.
The core mandate of FreeFall is the active encouragement of a broad spectrum of writers. By providing a professional platform, the magazine supports new writers who are attempting to break into the industry, emerging writers who are refining their craft, and established Canadian writers who seek a respected venue for their latest work. This tiered approach to inclusivity ensures that the magazine remains a representative cross-section of the Canadian literary experience, offering a space where quality is the primary metric for acceptance.
Beyond its role as a publisher, FreeFall is an entity defined by its social consciousness and ethical framework. The FreeFall Literary Society maintains a rigorous stance against racism, sexism, oppression, and all forms of dehumanisation. This commitment is not merely passive; the society actively works to amplify diverse voices within the literary world, ensuring that the pages of the magazine reflect a multifaceted view of human experience. Furthermore, the organisation acknowledges the geographical and historical context of its operations through a formal land acknowledgment. They recognise that their work and presence exist on the traditional territories of the people of Treaty 7. This includes the Blackfoot Confederacy, specifically the Siksikas, Kainai, and Piikani, as well as the Tsuut’ina First Nation, the Îyâxe Nakoda Nations, and the Métis Nation of Alberta, Region 3.
Publication Cycle and Editorial Scope
FreeFall operates on a semi-annual schedule, releasing two issues per year. This deliberate cadence allows for a high standard of curation and a focused editorial process. A defining characteristic of their publication year is the dedication of one full issue to the Annual Prose and Poetry Contest. This focused issue serves as a prestige showcase for the winners and shortlisted entries, providing a competitive yet rewarding environment for writers to test their skills against their peers.
The editorial scope of FreeFall is expansive, encompassing a wide variety of literary and visual formats. The magazine does not restrict itself to a single genre, instead integrating multiple forms of expression to create a holistic artistic experience.
- Poetry: The magazine accepts a variety of styles, providing a venue for both traditional and experimental verse.
- Fiction: This includes a broad range of prose, from short stories to more fragmented narrative forms.
- Non-fiction: The publication features essays and reports that explore the human condition and contemporary issues.
- Literary Reviews: Critical analysis of other works is included to foster a dialogue within the literary community.
- Author Interviews: These segments provide insight into the creative process and the personal histories of the writers.
- Visual Arts: The integration of visual elements ensures that the magazine is an aesthetic experience as well as a textual one.
Detailed Submission Framework and Guidelines
The process of submitting work to FreeFall is governed by a strict set of guidelines designed to maintain the quality and regional focus of the publication. A critical restriction for contributors is that open submissions are exclusively reserved for writers located within Canada. This policy reinforces the magazine's mandate to support the Canadian literary ecosystem. The only exception to this geographic restriction is the Annual Prose and Poetry Contest, which remains open to international applicants, thereby allowing the magazine to benchmark Canadian talent against a global standard.
The window for open submissions is strictly defined, occurring from 1st June to 30th September. This creates a concentrated period of curation that informs the subsequent issues.
Prose Submission Specifications
Prose writers have a significant amount of latitude in terms of what they can submit, provided they adhere to the length and originality requirements.
- Word Limit: Submissions must be up to 4,000 words.
- Accepted Formats: Short stories, novel excerpts, creative non-fiction, plays, and postcard stories.
- Topic Scope: Writing-related topics or general-audience non-fiction are permitted.
The financial remuneration for prose is structured based on the final layout of the magazine. Writers are paid $10 per page as it appears in the published issue, with a maximum cap of $100. In addition to this monetary payment, the author receives one physical copy of the issue containing their work.
Poetry Submission Specifications
Poetry submissions are managed with specific constraints regarding quantity and length to ensure a diverse array of poets can be featured.
- Quantity: Writers may submit between 1 and 3 poems.
- Style: There are no restrictions on the style of poetry.
- Length: No individual poem can exceed 6 pages in length.
The payment for poetry is a flat rate of $25 per poem, complemented by one physical copy of the issue.
Visual Arts and Photography Requirements
FreeFall treats visual art as a primary component of its publication, particularly for its cover. The requirements for photographers and artists are technical and precise to ensure print quality.
- Format: Photographs of original artwork or other subject matter are accepted.
- Colour Profile: Photos must be submitted in black and white.
- Dimensions: Maximum dimensions are 6 inches by 4 inches.
- Resolution: A minimum of 300 dpi (dots per inch) is required.
- Naming Convention: Files must follow the artistname_titlename scheme.
Payment for cover art or cover photographs is $100, and the artist receives one copy of the issue. To further support the artist's professional development, FreeFall provides a one-page biography inside the issue to promote the artist's work to the readership.
Interviews and Book Reviews
Unlike prose and poetry, interviews and book reviews are not submitted as completed pieces. Instead, they operate on a proposal basis.
- Process: Writers must submit proposal queries.
- Finalisation: Detailed guidelines are provided only after the proposal has been approved by the editors.
- Remuneration: Approved and published reviews or interviews are paid $50, and the writer receives one copy of the issue.
Submission Policies and Legalities
The FreeFall Literary Society maintains clear policies regarding the status of the work they publish to protect both the magazine and the authors.
- Payment Timing: All financial payments are issued upon the actual publication of the work, not upon acceptance.
- Originality: The magazine has a strict policy against publishing previously published works. This includes pieces that have appeared in other print journals, digital platforms, or online spaces.
- Simultaneous Submissions: FreeFall allows writers to submit the same piece to multiple publications at once. However, it is the responsibility of the writer to notify FreeFall immediately if the piece is accepted elsewhere to avoid duplication.
Compensation Structure Summary
| Category | Payment Amount | Additional Benefit |
|---|---|---|
| Prose | $10 per page (max $100) | 1 Copy of Issue |
| Poetry | $25 per poem | 1 Copy of Issue |
| Cover Art/Photos | $100 | 1 Copy of Issue + 1-page bio |
| Interviews/Reviews | $50 | 1 Copy of Issue |
Conclusion
FreeFall stands as a vital pillar of the Calgary arts community and the wider Canadian literary scene. By transitioning into a non-profit society under the leadership of Micheline Maylor and Lynn C. Fraser, the publication has insulated itself from the commercial pressures that often homogenise literary output. The rigid adherence to a Canadian-centric submission policy for general entries, while maintaining a global window via the Annual Prose and Poetry Contest, allows the magazine to act as both a protector of national identity and a participant in international literary excellence.
The financial structure of the magazine, while modest, provides essential validation and professional compensation for writers, particularly through the per-page payment for prose and the flat fees for poetry and reviews. Furthermore, the technical requirements for visual arts—specifically the 300 dpi black and white mandate—demonstrate a commitment to high-production print standards. By integrating diverse voices and maintaining a strict ethical stance against oppression and dehumanisation, FreeFall does not merely publish text; it curates a cultural archive that is deeply rooted in the geography of Treaty 7 and the spirit of Canadian creativity.