Deadline for pitches: July 31, 2015

This is a call for pitches for the 10th anniversary issue of Geez. Please send us your proposals for articles, creative non-fiction, poetry, and art.

A decade of Geez
Ten years and 40 issues – we’ve covered many topics, explored a lot of ground. We’ve spent 10 years covering the front lines of social justice and activism. We’ve shared stories of people living in alternative ways that challenge the dominant Western ideals, to which so many in North America are blind.

How do we encapsulate what the last 10 years have been like? And, how do we move forward into the next 10?

We’re calling for…

1. Greatest hits
We’ll feature some of our favourite stories – those that challenged us, or encompassed everything we stand for, or made us laugh. Does one piece in Geez stick out in your mind? Please send ideas and help us decide.

2. Where are they now?
Did you contribute a story that was published in Geez? Maybe your wrote about travelling overseas, or about living in a grass hut for a year. Maybe all you did was decide to stop using the internet or start making your own clothes. We’d like to hear your updates. How have things changed since you wrote that story for us? What have you learned? Share your wisdom, concerns, advice, discoveries.

3. Cutting edge of prophetic social justice, faith, and action
What big stories, major figures, important-but-neglected ideas need recognition? We’re looking for a prophetic word to direct our course. We’re looking for consolation for weary souls. What are the next issues to focus on? Send your story ideas. But please also suggest topics, writers, communities, events, and issues that we should know about.

4. MINI WRITING CONTEST: How Geez changed my life
If Geez magazine has been instrumental in even a small change (clothing, habit, friendship, worldview, meal prep, lost item, shopping pattern) that affects your life (builds community, cares for earth, kindness to animals, sense of wholeness, outbreak of peace, acknowledge privilege, address injustice), share your story. We want to learn from you. Our judges (the Geez editorial team) are eclectic: we’ll look for entries that are quirky, sappy, courageous, sanctifying, enlightening, earnest, ironic, stupid, failing, unifying, vice-ful, and virtue-laden.

Mini Details:
Deadline: August 15, 2015
Wordlength: 300 words or less (this is a mini contest! make each word count)
Prizes: $25 or a one-year Geez subscription for each published entry
Send entries by email: stories[at]geezmagazine[dot]org) a
Send entries by mail: to Geez mini contest, 400 Edmonton Street, Winnipeg R3B 2M2 Canada

A Few Notes about Submissions
We want long-form journalism, personal stories of transformation, short bursts of feelings, nuggets of insight and inspiration. Pick your aspect of the topic and expand with personal experience, researched wisdom, or spiritual insight.

In a great pitch, you describe the story, explain how it’s a perfect fit for Geez, list the sources you’ll consult, and state why you’re the best person to write it (see contact info and deadline below).


1. Longer non-fiction pieces, length: 650 or 1300 words: 
We’re looking for creative non-fiction essays, investigative articles or research-based pieces on the topic above. While a reference to your personal experience is welcome, readers need wisdom from other sources as well (interviews, books, articles, theologians, social-justice activists, academics, and moms and dads). Pitches should be one page, touch on the wider context of your topic and name at least one other source you will be consulting.

Here’s a request: Think of yourself as a Geez contributing editor. Ask yourself, What would readers who are social-justice oriented and at the fringes of faith want to read on this topic? If your pitch is accepted you’ll usually have three to four weeks to complete the piece.

2. Flash non-fiction, length: 50-350 words: 
These are short, personal experiences or insights. Your piece should capture a moment that illuminates a larger issue or convey a feeling familiar to us all. This is a chance to bring hope, insight, emotion, and connection to readers. Think of it as a snapshot with words.

3. Photos/illustrations: 
Consider the topic above and send original photographs (i.e. you took the photo) or illustrations that provoke or pacify, animate or incite. Or, if you know of a photographer or illustrator who can deliver an awesome photo essay or series of drawings and is willing to get big play in a premium little magazine for a modest honorarium, please pass this pitch along.

Tips for pitches: 
The Geez project is a discussion among people of faith seeking social justice. Our readers and writers express this through art, activism (a creative critique of those in power and the structures that keep them there, the promotion of alternative practices that subvert such powers), contemplation and a “more-grounded, interconnected” approach to living.

Additional info: 

Before pitching, please read our guidelines for writers here. 
Ideally we would like to respond personally to every piece of correspondence we receive. But given the number of submissions we receive – and having tried to respond to all – we realize it is just not possible. If you do not hear back from us within six weeks assume that we were unable to use your submission.

Deadline for pitches: July 31, 2015
Deadline for Mini-Writing Contest: August 15, 2015

Send pitches, manuscripts, and images Aiden Enns (editor) and Kyla Neufeld (managing editor)

email: stories [at] geezmagazine [dot] org

mail: 
Geez magazine 
400 Edmonton Street, 
Winnipeg, Manitoba, R3B 2M2
, Canada