It’s hard to believe I’m writing this piece for the anniversary issue. One year. Whew! To say I’m proud would be a gross understatement. I am thrilled, amazed, humbled, and all the other positive words I’d list here if I didn’t feel the pressure to write something more profound.

The complete table of contents for the September 2017 issue of Blank Spaces.

If you're familiar with our submission guidelines you'll already know that, more than your publishing credits, we really want to know you. Actually, to quote ourselves directly: No pressure, we just want to fall in love with you.

And we mean it. Publishing credits are great and we will celebrate your portfolio with you but we value people over product and if you can give us a taste of who you are and sell us on your winning personality, we're going to want you in our tribe before we even read your submission.

When I was in high school, I bought myself a pewter ring of little people holding hands. They circled my finger like the physical manifestation of "Give Peace a Chance." I called it my "O Siem" ring. Music was my heartbeat and it helped me find my story.

The complete table of contents for the June 2017 issue of Blank Spaces.

My daughter came home from school a few months ago singing Humble and Kind. It’s a beautiful song written by folk singer-songwriter Lori McKenna, and made famous by Tim McGraw.

You already know this, but our number one plea to submitters is "MAKE US FALL IN LOVE WITH YOU!" and so, you won't be surprised to learn that our favourite submission letters did just that: they showcased personality, spoke to us like we're real live human beings (we really are!), and yes...they made us fall in love. Maybe not fully head-over-heels every time, but crushes are fun too!

The short existence of Blank Spaces has been a whirlwind of discovery, excitement, and fear. From my initial announcement (which was only in May!) to this moment now when I find myself writing a blurb for the second issue, life has been filled to the brim with a blurry ‘is this even real?’ kind of feeling.

When Blank Spaces was in the earliest stages of gestation, it was literally that: a blank space.

As I navigated thoughts surrounding the potential of a magazine, I wasn't close to finding a name until I asked myself:

Why start a magazine? What did I hope to accomplish?

When the inspiration for Blank Spaces struck I found myself heady with anxiety: would people actually care? What a thrilling surprise to learn that yes, in fact, they do! Canadians are hungry for content that reflects who we are and what we stand for, and I am beyond excited by the great pieces that came across my desk as I sent out feelers, looking for talent and collaborators.