The complete table of contents for the March 2021 issue of Blank Spaces magazine.

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

We believe in creating opportunity to explore the world of publishing, as well as inviting the contribution of those who believe in our mission of offering a safe and supportive community for creatives.

When Joanne, a contributor to our December issue (Letters from Dead Artists) expressed an interest in editing, we extended an invitation to bring her on board for our next issue.

For the month of January, sign up for a digital subscription and save 10% plus get the December issue FREE!

Has 2020 left you feeling invisible? The heaviness of this year has been a lot to bear, and I’ve sadly seen it bring out the worst in some people. I’ve also seen the way it has called others to rise up and find their own potential. As I’ve navigated this—the good and the bad—I’ve been able to examine my own responses and redirect my path towards the positive. While it’s easy to wallow in the shadows, there’s small victories to be celebrated when you push through the fog and focus on the other side.

I don’t believe it’s accidental that cursor seems to be derived from the root word “curse”. As I sit here, overwhelmed with a to-do list (that includes writing this introduction to the December issue), the cursor blinks at me in witchy fashion, and I am empty.

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

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 midst of a global pandemic is the worst time to try and raise funds, but we are so thankful for those of you who stepped up and gave generously. This means that, as we enter our fifth year of publication, our annual operation costs are close to covered. To say this is a relief is a gross understatement.

When you’re a dreamer, uncertainty can throw a major wrench into your fantasies. In this season of social distancing and hyper awareness, it’s easy to become jaded to anything beyond living in your pyjamas and eating bonbons until your jeans are only good for the donation bin. I’ve had to forcibly practice positive thinking and healthy habits; and though none of us know what tomorrow will bring, I’m making myself rethink old goals and set new ones.

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

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

Welcome to our new website! Learn what has changed and what you can expect in the future.

Blank Spaces strives to uphold the values of acceptance, inclusion, and love. We condemn any act or expression of hate and aim to lead with kindness.

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.