Thankfully, the function of Blank Spaces has been little affected by the restrictions of Covid-19. We exist mostly in an online space and will be able to maintain our regular volunteer positions for the foreseeable future. And though the dreams of a physical location are currently on hold, there are many other ideas stirring in the pot.

The complete table of contents for the June 2020 issue of Blank Spaces.

We are so pleased to announce that five writers have made the shortlist for our March 2020 Write Prompt Challenge.

We blinked and the whole world changed. Times are uncertain right now and we're all waiting on the edge of our seat to see if our efforts to flatten the curve are going to pay off. I feel so thankful to be in Canada. Our vast land mass should be working in our favour and it seems the majority of people are heeding recommendations.

Self-funded since its inaugural issue in 2016, Blank Spaces has achieved a great deal without major outside investors. I'm really proud of that. Now it's time to look ahead and talk about what it would take to see some real growth. While we have reached as far as the shores of Vancouver Island and the red sand beaches of P.E.I. we dream of saturating Canada with the words and art of its very talented and underappreciated creatives.

I have dreams. Most of them are much bigger than me, but I’m not afraid of them. By keeping such things to yourself, the chance of them seeing the light of day is slim. By saying what we want out loud, we give the universe a chance to answer.

We are thrilled that the fine folks at The Writers’ Trust/McClelland & Stewart have once again invited Blank Spaces to put forth three emerging writers we were privileged enough to feature in 2019.

The complete table of contents for the March 2020 issue of Blank Spaces.

We are so pleased to announce that four writers have made the shortlist for our December 2019 Write Prompt Challenge.

Nothing shows character like the way you behave in a parking lot close to Christmas. People cram and honk and curse and steal spots and leave shopping carts in inconvenient places. A season that should bring out the best in us seems to do the opposite in most.

It’s cliché to question the passage of time, but I can’t help myself: where does it go? I’m so excited that over the last few years I’ve been able to check off a substantial number of accomplishments from my bucket list. I’m less excited about the grey hair I found in my left eyebrow last week, or that my oldest son will be leaving me for university in the fall, or that, in less than a month, I’ll be turning forty. There is still so much to be done.

The Pushcart Prize: Best of the Small Presses series, published every year since 1976, is the most honoured literary project in America. They welcome up to six nominations (print or online) from little magazine and small book press editors throughout the world, and selected winners will appear in their annual publication.

The complete table of contents for the December 2019 issue of Blank Spaces.

We are thrilled that a child wanted to enter our write prompt challenge - so thrilled that we want to share his story with you!

We are so pleased to announce that five writers have made the shortlist for our September 2019 Write Prompt Challenge.

Get a little peek into the launch party the Blank Spaces team threw for the release of Just Words Volume 3, a beautiful collection of works by Blank Spaces contributors.

The complete table of contents for the September 2019 issue of Blank Spaces.

It seems like a lifetime ago I posted the blog that shared my vision to start a magazine. What began on a whim has become a living, breathing thing because of you—the ones who read and subscribe and contribute. Through this venture I’ve had the privilege of publishing the work of over 200 Canadian creatives, many of whom told me Blank Spaces was the first publication to accept them. I count this as a massive honour. It’s one thing to share a vision, it’s a whole other thing to see that vision come to light. And it’s only your involvement that has allowed that to happen.

One of our top goals at Blank Spaces is to build community, and part of building relationships is being face to face. Yes, we know many writers and artists are introverts and we know that introspective spirits birth amazing art, BUT we also know that putting yourself out there, warts and all, allows others to connect on a more personal level.

The complete table of contents for the June 2019 issue of Blank Spaces.