The VR accepts pitches for, and on-spec submissions of, new work by mail or email. (Please do not bother with a SASE; we do not return papers.) The VR's editorial mandate
is to raise discussion around, and the profile of, arts and culture in Vancouver and BC.
The stories we publish are distinguishable from other magazines and newspapers by featuring stronger opinions, a big-picture approach, and unrestrained cheekiness where applicable. Criticism, however, should always have a thought-provoking and constructive intent, even if expressed strongly. Humour is welcome. We like sophisticated ideas expressed in journalistic writing; please read the selected articles from past issues to
get a sense of VR style.

The magazine has the following sections:

FAIR COMMENT:

These shorter pieces (500-1200 words) are meant to express a strong opinion and/or insight, and ideally have a local or BC focus. They can be reflections on world events or trends from a local POV. Some aspect of the arts is always a welcome subject, but anything related to culture can work (politics, design, history, architecture, work or lifestyle experiences, current events, etc.) These pieces are meant to surprise and delight with their counterintuitive approach, unpredictable but well-argued opinions, and great writing.

FEATURES:

The VR's features are, essentially, longer versions of Fair Comments on worthy subjects. Length can range from 1,600 to 4,000 words. We like to take on subjects, or angles on subjects, that are rarely featured in or have been passed over by other publications. Subject matter can vary widely, with a range similar to that of Fair Comments. We sometimes feature essays or pieces of writing that touch on, or are inspired by, the ideas contained in books (preferably Canadian); see Terry Glavin's “Cetacean Fetishism” from our Summer 2004 issue as an example.

FICTION:

Please note that The Blueprint BC Fiction Series is booked through fall 2011, so we will no longer be looking at new submissions until further notice.

With the recently launched Blueprint BC: The Fiction Series, VR is running new BC fiction in every issue—short fiction in spring and fall and feature-length fiction in summer and winter. This establishes VR as a magazine committed to publishing original fiction with a thumping BC pulse. Fiction Editor Zsuzsi Gartner looks for crazily beautiful, inimitable and thought-provoking work by both emerging and established writers. She’s interested in writers engaged with their environment—physical, psychological and/or imaginary—in a way that exceeds using place as mere setting or backdrop. Submissions can be sent to her attention via editor@vancouverreview.com, or by mail (see Contact).

POETRY:

VR publishes one poem per issue. The subject should be local, in that it relates to BC or Vancouver in some way. “Make it new” was the credo of Ezra Pound, a poet often credited with ushering in 20th-century poetry that shelved Victorian artifice and sentimentality in favour of diamond-sharp imagery and harder truths. It doubles as VR's call to poets to help us revision this part of the world. Length should ideally not exceed 250 words. Submissions can be sent to Poetry Editor Caroline Harvey at poetry@vancouverreview.com, and she asks that text be copied into an email rather than sent as an attachment.

BOOK REVIEWS:

We run long (approx. 1,000 words), medium (600-700 words) and short (250 to 300 words) reviews, mainly on local and Canadian new releases (we provide review copies; ensure lots of lead time if you're interested in a particular upcoming title). However, if you have a fresh take on a classic, well-known, or even little-known title, we may be interested.

NINE O'CLOCK GUN:

This is the magazine's parting shot, so to speak. Subject matter can range widely, as with Fair Comments and features-we've even featured fine art but should have a kick.