Resources

Writers’ Resource Hub

Last updated September 22, 2025

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The Writers’ Resource Hub provides a range of resources for writers at all stages of their careers—from aspiring to established—covering everything from getting published and marketing your book to writing retreats and residencies, literary festivals, funding opportunities, and more.

Writing and Publishing Resources

Getting Published and Writing Advice

Looking to publish a book? Use these guidelines as a starting point to learn how to approach publishers.

If you’re looking to publish shorter-form writing (for example, a short story or a couple of poems), visit the Publications Open to Submissions below to find lists of publications where you can submit your work.

1. Finish Your Manuscript

Complete your manuscript before submitting it to publishers. The only exception is if your book is non-fiction, in which case it is often acceptable to submit a book proposal before completing a manuscript. Check with prospective publishers to see what they would like.

Ensure your work is in the best shape possible before contacting publishers. You may want to hire an editor to help you polish your manuscript. To find potential editors, visit Hire A Writer, our online directory of professional writers and editors.

2. Research Publishers

Research publishers to get a feel for what kind of work each of them publishes. You can go about this in one of several ways:

3. Query Publishers

Publishers will generally not want you to send your entire manuscript unless it’s requested. Instead, they’ll typically ask for:

  • A brief cover letter
  • A brief synopsis of the work (including a word count)
  • A sample from your manuscript
  • A brief biographical statement or resume

Always follow the publisher’s instructions on what materials to send and how to send them. You can usually find submission instructions on their website. Pay attention to publishers’ submission periods. Often, they will only accept submissions during a certain portion of the year.

After you’ve submitted to a publisher, be patient. Publishers receive far more submissions than they can accept. They will likely have many submissions to review at a given time and can take several months to respond. If a publisher hasn’t responded to you after three months (unless they specify a longer wait period), then you can email them asking about your submission.

Simultaneous Submissions

Generally, you may submit your manuscript to more than one publisher at a time, but ideally not a huge number. This is a process called simultaneous submission. When submitting simultaneously, be considerate of prospective publishers and let them know you’re doing so. As soon as you know one publisher is seriously considering your manuscript, let the others know. It may even prompt them to fish yours out of their slush pile earlier.

4. Prepare Final Manuscript

If a publisher responds to your query and asks to see your manuscript—congratulations! It’s time to prepare and package your final manuscript.

Follow the publisher’s instructions for formatting and sending your manuscript. If you’re unsure, ask whether they want an electronic or hard-copy version. Generally, your manuscript should:

  • Have 1-inch or 1.5-inch margins (check publisher’s guidelines)
  • Be double-spaced, left-aligned
  • Use a neutral, adequate-size font (for example, 12-point Times New Roman)
  • Have consecutive page numbering
  • Be single-sided (if printed)

Resources for Formatting a Manuscript:

Writing Advice and Publishing Resources:

Publishers and Publisher Associations

Publisher Associations

English-Language Quebec Publishers

For a short description of many of the English-language publishers active in Quebec, visit the Association of English-language Publishers of Quebec’s directory of their members.

To find publishers in all of Canada, visit the Association of Canadian Publishers’ directory of members.

Finding a Literary Agent

Literary agents represent authors to publishers, negotiate contracts, and help authors advance their careers. Agents will generally take a commission (15-20%) on the sale of a book to a publisher.

Literary agents accepting submissions will request a query letter: a letter of introduction presenting yourself and your manuscript. Before sending a query letter, take some time to research the agent and whether your work is a good fit for them. Many will specialize not only in a genre, such as fiction or non-fiction, but also in a specific market niche or sub-genre (for example, “character-driven mystery thrillers”). Whenever possible, follow the guidelines an agent supplies on their website when you submit your query.

You do not need an agent to find a publisher in Canada. Agents are more common in the United States, but according to the Writers’ Union of Canada, there are only about thirty agents working in Canada. Most agents will only accept a few new clients, if any, each year.

Use the resources below to find literary agents and advice on querying.

Literary Agent Registries

Literary Agencies in Quebec

Resources on Querying Literary Agents

Platforms

  • Query Tracker
    An online platform for finding and contacting literary agents and managing queries

Articles

Videos and Podcasts

Editors, Publicists, and Translators

Editors

Professional editors offer experience, expertise, and objectivity when reading and advising you on revisions of your work. Traditional publishers will likely have in-house editors. Some writers will also hire an editor to polish a manuscript before sending it to publishers or literary agents. An editor may offer different levels of editing, such as developmental editing, line editing, copy editing, and proofreading.

Publicists

Publicists provide public-relations services, such as pitching journalists to persuade them to cover the authors and books they are promoting. They may be employed by a publishing house or by a firm of publicity specialists, or they may work freelance.

Literary Translators

Literary translators help a book reach new audiences by bringing it to life in a language other than the original. To learn more about literary translation, including how to get your work translated, watch our Lunch and Learn with literary translator Katia Grubisic.

Publications Open to Submissions

Payment information provided when possible. No payment information means that contributions are unpaid, payment details are not readily accessible, or compensation is variable. Refer to individual publications for specific information.

Quebec-Based Publications

carte blanche
QWF’s digital literary magazine
Accepts: Fiction, non-fiction, poetry, French-to-English translation, visual art, comics
Payment: $75 per published piece

Quist
QWF’s digital literary magazine publishing Quebecers aged 14-21
Accepts: Fiction, non-fiction, poetry, hybrid forms, graphic storytelling
Payment: $75 per published piece

AE Science Fiction
Accepts: Fiction, non-fiction, poetry

Ahoy
Accepts: Fiction, non-fiction, poetry

Cactus Poetry Press
Accepts: Poetry, chapbooks

chouette
Accepts: Fiction, non-fiction, poetry, visual art

Columba
Accepts: Poetry

Dark Matter: Women Witnessing
Accepts: Fiction, non-fiction, poetry, visual art

Headlight Anthology
Accepts: Fiction, non-fiction, poetry

The Imagist
Accepts: Fiction, non-fiction, poetry

LBRNTH
Accepts: Fiction, non-fiction, poetry, visual art

Lez Spread the Word
Accepts: Fiction, non-fiction, poetry, visual art (by queer women)
Payment: $200 per published piece

Maisonneuve Magazine
Accepts: Non-fiction pitches, reviews, comics

Maybe Mag
Accepts: Fiction, non-fiction, poetry

The Mitre
Accepts: Fiction, non-fiction, poetry, screenplays, stage plays, songs (by members of the Bishop’s and Lennoxville communities)

The Montreal Review
Accepts: Creative and critical non-fiction, visual art

The Montreal Review of Books
Accepts: Book review pitches

Montreal Serai
Accepts: Articles, political cartoons, multimedia work

The Pit Periodical (Linktree)
Accepts: Fiction, non-fiction, poetry, visual art

Running Man Press
Accepts: Articles, essays, fiction, poetry

Slug Magazine
Accepts: Fiction, poetry, visual art

Soliloquies Anthology
Accepts: Fiction, creative non-fiction, poetry

Stimulant
Accepts: Fiction, non-fiction, poetry

Turret House Press
Accepts: Poetry, chapbooks

Vallum
Accepts: Poetry, chapbooks
Payment: $300 for accepted chapbooks

yolk
Accepts: Fiction, non-fiction, poetry, visual art
Payment: $100 for digital publication, $30 per printed page (max $200)

Canadian Publications Outside Quebec

Acta Victoriana
Accepts: Fiction, poetry, visual art
Payment: $20 per published piece

The Ampersand Review
Accepts: Fiction, non-fiction, poetry
Payment: $50 per poem (max $100); $100 per prose piece

Arc Poetry Magazine
Accepts: Poetry; essays, interviews about poetry
Payment: $50 per published page

Archetype: A Literary Journal
Accepts: Fiction, non-fiction, poetry, visual art

Augur Magazine
Accepts: Fiction, poetry
Payment: $0.14 per word for prose; $100 per poem

The Artisanal Writer
Accepts: Essays, interviews, reviews
Payment: $55 for each published essay

Blank Spaces
Accepts: Fiction, non-fiction, poetry, visual art

Briarpatch
Accepts: Non-fiction pitches
Payment: $150-$350

Brick, A Literary Journal
Accepts: Non-fiction
Payment: $65-$720

Broken Pencil
Accepts: Fiction, non-fiction

Canadian Literature
Accepts: Scholarly non-fiction, poetry

CNQ: Canadian Notes & Queries
Accepts: Non-fiction
Payment: $0.10 per word (max $200)

Canthius Journal
Accepts: Fiction, non-fiction, poetry (by writers of marginalized gender identities)
Payment: $50-$150

The Capilano Review
Accepts: Non-fiction, poetry, visual art

Choa
Accepts: Fiction, non-fiction, poetry, visual art (by women of Korean heritage)
Payment: $30-$50 per published piece

Cloud Lake Literary
Accepts: Fiction, non-fiction, poetry
Payment: $50 per published page (max $150)

Contemporary Verse 2
Accepts: Poetry, non-fiction about poetry
Payment: $35 per poem; $65-$150 for non-fiction

Counterflow
Accepts: Fiction, non-fiction, poetry, visual art

The Dalhousie Review
Accepts: Fiction, non-fiction, poetry
Payment: $5 per published page

DarkWinter Literary Magazine
Accepts: Fiction, poetry

Dreamers Creative Writing
Accepts: Fiction, non-fiction, poetry
Payment: $20-$60 per published piece

EVENT
Accepts: Fiction, non-fiction, poetry, reviews
Payment: $40 per page for poetry; $35 per page for prose (max $500)

EXILE Quarterly
Accepts: Fiction, non-fiction, poetry, drama, translation, visual art

Existere
Accepts: Fiction, non-fiction, poetry, visual art
Payment: $100 per accepted submission

The Feathertale Review
Accepts: Fiction, poetry, cartoons

The Fiddlehead
Accepts: Fiction, non-fiction, poetry
Payment: $65 per published page

filling Station
Accepts: Fiction, non-fiction, poetry, visual art

Freefall
Accepts: Fiction, non-fiction, poetry, visual art
Payment: $10 per page (max $100)

Funicular Magazine
Accepts: Fiction, poetry

Geez
Accepts: Poetry, non-fiction pitches
Payment: $50-$100

Geist
Accepts: Fiction, non-fiction, poetry, comics, visual art
Payment: $50-$1,000

Grain
Accepts: Fiction, non-fiction, poetry, plays, comics, visual art
Payment: $50 per published page (max $250)

GUTS: Canadian Feminist Magazine
Accepts: Fiction, non-fiction, poetry
Payment: $500-$2,000

Hazlitt
Accepts: Fiction, non-fiction, poetry, visual art

Hermine Annual
Accepts: Fiction

The Humber Literary Review
Accepts: Fiction, non-fiction, poetry, visual art
Payment: $100 per published piece (per 2-3 poems for poetry)

Juniper – A Poetry Journal
Accepts: Poetry 

The Literary Review of Canada
Accepts: Non-fiction, poetry, visual art

The Malahat Review
Accepts: Fiction, non-fiction, poetry
Payment: $70 per published page

Milk Bag Magazine
Accepts: Fiction, poetry, art

The Nashwaak Review
Accepts: Fiction, non-fiction, poetry

The New Quarterly
Accepts: Fiction, non-fiction, poetry
Payment: $75-$350 per published piece

NŌD
Accepts: Fiction, non-fiction, poetry, visual art

NUNUM
Accepts: Fiction, visual art
Payment: $20 per published piece

On Spec
Accepts: Fiction, poetry
Payment: $100 per published piece

Parentheses
Accepts: Fiction, poetry, visual art

Pinhole Poetry
Accepts: Poetry
Payment: $5 honorarium

Plenitude
Accepts: Fiction, non-fiction, poetry (by LGBTQ2S+ writers)
Payment: $50-$60 per poem; $100-$125 per prose piece

The Polyglot
Accepts: Fiction, non-fiction, poetry, visual art
Payment: $100 per published piece

Prairie Fire
Accepts: Fiction, non-fiction, poetry, creative non-fiction

PRISM International
Accepts: Fiction, non-fiction, poetry, drama, translation 
Payment: $40 per printed page for prose; $45 per printed page for poetry

Pulp Literature
Accepts: Fiction, poetry, graphic novels, visual art
Payment: $0.02-$0.08 per word for prose; $25-$50 for poetry

The Ex-Puritan
Accepts: Fiction, non-fiction, poetry
Payment: $50-$200

Queen’s Quarterly
Accepts: Fiction, non-fiction, poetry

Ricepaper
Accepts: Fiction, non-fiction, poetry, drama, graphic novels, translation, visual art (by Asian-Canadian writers and artists)

Riddle Fence
Accepts: Fiction, non-fiction, poetry, visual art
Payment: $50 per published page

Room
Accepts: Fiction, non-fiction, poetry, non-fiction, visual art (by people of marginalized genders)
Payment: $50 per published page (max $200); $75 for reviews and web publications

Spadina Literary Review
Accepts: Fiction, non-fiction, poetry, visual art

subTerrain
Accepts: Fiction, non-fiction, poetry
Payment: $50 per poem, $0.10 per word for prose

The Temz Review
Accepts: Fiction, creative non-fiction, poetry
Payment: $20 per published piece or batch of poems

THIS Magazine
Accepts: Fiction, non-fiction, poetry, visual art

Untethered
Accepts: Fiction, non-fiction, poetry, visual art

The Windsor Review
Accepts: Fiction, non-fiction, poetry

For international publications, try the following platforms:

Self-Publishing

Self-publishing is an increasingly popular option, particularly as e-books, the internet, and social media change the terrain of digital publishing, distribution models, ordering, and how a writer may interact with an audience or readership.

There are a number of companies that provide self-publishing services (known as “vanity presses” or “hybrid publishers”). If you’re considering going that route, it is worthwhile to shop around and compare costs and services: some hybrid publishers are genuinely in support of independent publishing, while others charge large amounts of money to publish your book and may leave you with little support for promotion and distribution.

While self-publishing may offer a greater degree of independence, it may mean that a book is not eligible for certain prizes or book fairs. It’s also worth considering the numerous advantages that an experienced publisher can bring to the editing and distribution process, and to the credibility of your book.

Getting an ISBN

An International Standard Book Number (ISBN) is a 13-digit number that identifies published books and allows them to be sold and distributed worldwide.

Acquiring an ISBN is free through ISBN Canada. To do so, go to ISBN Canada’s web portal and apply for an ISBN account, then follow their instructions to complete the process.

Some self-publishing platforms will acquire an ISBN or ISBN-equivalent for your book as part of their services. For example, if your book doesn’t already have an ISBN, Amazon KDP will assign it an ASIN (Amazon Standard Identification Number) for distribution on Amazon.

Self-Publishing Platforms

Resources

ARC Sites

ARC sites allow self-published authors to send advanced reader copies (ARCs) of their books to users who read and review their work, allowing authors to cultivate a readership and build reviews on Amazon, Goodreads, and elsewhere.

Further Reading:

Facebook Groups for Self-Published Authors

Facebook Groups for self-published authors can be a useful resource for peer-to-peer feedback and guidance on everything from binding, printing, and publishing to marketing and self-promotion.

For advice on book marketing, see the Marketing and Self-Promotion section below, under “Business of Writing” Resources.

For advice on copyright and registering copyright, see Legal Advice, Copyright, and Royalties below, under “Business of Writing” Resources.

Writing Workshops, Courses, and Programs

Writing Workshops and Courses

Writing Mentorship Programs

MFAs and MAs in Creative Writing in Canada

MFAs and MAs in Creative Writing are a popular pathway to establishing oneself as a writer or literary artist. Below are the major graduate-level creative writing programs in Canada:

You may also want to consider American graduate-level programs, which often offer more comprehensive funding for students. For information on American MFA programs, consult the following resources:

Writing Residencies and Retreats

If you are accepted into a residency or retreat program that costs money, you may be eligible for a grant to help pay for the costs of attending. Check the grant programs of the Canada Council for the Arts and Conseil des arts et des lettres du Québec for more information.

Canadian Residencies and Retreats

Municipal and Public Library Residencies

University Residencies

International Residencies and Retreats

For more retreats and residencies, visit:

Resources for Younger Writers

“Business of Writing” Resources

Grants and Funding

Grants can be an indispensable source of income for writers and literary artists. Often, grants come from government bodies—such as the federal Canada Council for the Arts, provincial Conseil des arts et des lettres du Québec, or municipal Conseil des arts de Montréal—but they can also be awarded by corporations, foundations, trusts, and other private sources.

Non-Government Organizations Offering Grant Assistance

Government Grants

Foundation Grants

Grant Support for Writers with Disabilities

The Conseil des arts et des lettres du Québec (CALQ) and the Canada Council for the Arts (CCA) offer application assistance and additional support funds for artists and writers with disabilities:

Freelance Writing

A freelancer provides services to businesses, organizations, and individuals on a project-to-project or contractual basis. Services a freelance writer may provide include:

  • Content writing for blogs, websites, and publications
  • Reporting and/or article writing
  • Technical writing
  • Grant writing
  • Copyediting
  • Ghostwriting

Resources:

Marketing and Self-Promotion

How much time and effort a writer has to put into self-promotion often depends on their publisher. Generally, larger publishers will have more staff and resources to market your book. But even with a big publisher, authors are still often expected to engage in self-promotion through social media or by participating in public activities, such as interviews, book signings, or literary festivals.

Writers can use a range of marketing channels and tools to promote their work, including

  • Author website
  • Social media (such as Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, LinkedIn, and BlueSky)
  • Email mailing lists
  • Outreach and networking (for example, at bookstores, conferences, festivals)
  • Book trailers (published on YouTube and/or social media)

The following links contain general tips on book marketing and self-promotion:

If you wish to promote your services as a writer, consider joining Hire a Writer, QWF’s directory of professional writers and editors.

Book Reviews

Book reviews can help you get exposure, grow your audience, and build credibility with both readers and professionals in the book industry. Your publisher might submit your book to reviewers on your behalf, or you might need to do it yourself.

The following is a partial list of book review outlets and directories of book reviewers to consult:

Before submitting your book for review, always check the publication’s website for guidelines or eligibility criteria.

Legal Advice, Copyright, and Royalties

The following organizations can help if you have a legal query about copyright, intellectual property, or other writing-related matter, or if you are in need of advocacy support. If you need to engage a private lawyer specializing in literary matters, contact us.

Registering Copyright

Copyright is a property right that protects works of original authorship. In Canada, your work as a writer is automatically protected by copyright the moment you create it. Registering your copyright is entirely optional, but it might be desirable if you want to prove your ownership of the work. You can register your copyright with the Canadian Intellectual Property Office for a fee.

Royalties

Royalties are payments to a creator for the use of their copyrighted material. Typically, authors can earn royalties in one of three ways:

Copibec and Access Copyright are non-profit organizations that specialize in copyright management, including the licensing of copyrighted material to schools, businesses, and other customers to ensure copyright owners receive royalties.

The Public Lending Right (PLR) Program sends annual payments to authors when their works are borrowed from Canadian public libraries. It is overseen by the Public Lending Right Commission, an advisory body of the Canada Council for the Arts.

Contracts

With the adoption of the Status of the Artist Act (La Loi sur le statut de l’artiste) in 2022, the Union des écrivaines et écrivains québécois (UNEQ) has the power to negotiate collective agreements setting minimum working conditions for writers and literary artists in Quebec, including those outlined in publishing contracts.

Income and Taxes

Writers and artists residing in Quebec are responsible for filing their taxes every year with both the Canada Revenue Agency and Revenu Quebec.

The following resources provide guidance on filing income taxes as a working artist and/or literary professional:

Community Resources

Literary Organizations

Quebec-Based Literary and Arts Organizations

National Literary Organizations

Provincial Writers’ Federations

Bookstores and Book Clubs

Many independent bookstores in Quebec offer discounts to QWF members on regularly priced books. See the list of QWF Membership Discounts on our Membership Overview page.

Bookstores in Montreal

Bookstores Outside Montreal

Book Clubs

Festivals and Events

Quebec Literary Festivals and Book Fairs

Salons du livre in Quebec

For festivals in the rest of Canada, visit the Writers’ Union of Canada’s list of Canadian festivals.

Reading Series, Open Mics, and Other Events

Mental Health Resources
  • AFC
    Provides financial and mental health support services to Canadian entertainment professionals
  • AMI-Quebec
    Offers free programs to help manage the effects of mental illness through support, education, and guidance
  • ELAN’s ArtEd Program
    Includes components such as the Youth Mental Health Initiative, which provides mental health-focused training for artists working with youth
  • Vent Over Tea
    Free confidential active listening service to promote mental wellness and connection
  • YES Montreal Mental Health Resources

The links on this page are meant for research purposes and do not constitute an endorsement from QWF. QWF is not responsible for any external content.