A Case of You
Letter from the Editor as published in the March 2025 issue
When Joni Mitchell sang of living in a box of paints, of a love that could serve her memory full, I like to think she was singing about more than a lover. Perhaps she was singing about this vast canvas of a country that both contains and releases us, that fills us up with its stories and still leaves us room to create our own.
When I founded Blank Spaces, I made a deliberate choice that we would exclusively publish Canadian voices. Not because I don’t appreciate the incredible wealth of global talent out there, but because I recognized something vital missing in our literary landscape. In a world where borders seem increasingly fluid and digital platforms make everyone next-door neighbours, we need spaces that are distinctly, proudly, and exclusively ours.
The evidence of this need arrives in my inbox every day. Stories of life in remote fishing villages in Newfoundland, poetry born from the bustling streets of Toronto, art that captures the play of light on Rocky Mountain peaks. These aren’t just pieces of creative work—they’re threads in our national tapestry, each one vital to the whole.
Being Canadian isn’t just about geography. It’s about experiencing life through a lens that’s uniquely our own, shaped by our shared values, our diverse perspectives, and yes, even our weather (because what Canadian writer hasn’t penned at least one piece about snow?). When we publish exclusively Canadian voices, we’re not just filling pages—we’re documenting our collective journey, preserving our cultural fingerprint, and most importantly, creating space for voices that might otherwise be lost in the endless noise of the wider world.
As digital platforms become more crowded and homogenized, the need for dedicated spaces that nurture and amplify Canadian creativity becomes more crucial. This isn’t about isolation or exclusion. Rather, it’s about creating a home where Canadian creators know they belong, where their experiences are understood without translation. It’s about saying to that emerging poet in Prince Edward Island, that aspiring photographer in Nunavut, that short story writer in Manitoba: this space is for you. Your story matters. Your voice deserves to be heard.
As we get ever closer to launching into our tenth year of championing Canadian creativity, our commitment remains unwavering. In a world that sometimes feels like it’s spinning out of control, we’re proud to be an anchor point for Canadian literary arts—that quiet corner where our stories can unfold in their own time, where every province and territory has a seat at the table, where every voice, whether it speaks in whispers or shouts, has the chance to be heard.
Joni Mitchell once sang that she could drink a case of her love and still be on her feet. That’s how we feel about Canadian stories—we could drink in a thousand tales, poems, and artwork from every corner of this nation, and still be thirsty for more. Because that’s the beauty of what we’re building here—a space where every drop of creativity adds to our collective story, where every voice makes our chorus stronger, where every new perspective colours our shared canvas more vibrantly.
Thank you for being part of this journey with us. Thank you for believing in the power and importance of Canadian voices. And thank you for helping us ensure that these voices continue to ring out, clear and true, in our ever-changing world.
With gratitude,
Alanna Rusnak
Editor in Chief, Blank Spaces
