s p a c i n g : : : whose space is public space?

WRITER'S GUIDELINES

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Spacing is always looking for new ideas, and welcomes queries and pitches from writers for both our magazine and website.

Spacing articles should focus on an issue, event, organization, person, project, or place related to public space in Toronto. Some articles focusing on information outside T.O. will be included in our 'Outer Space' column and Cover Feature section.

Privately owned spaces are not part of our mandate, even if they are open to and used by the public and serve a public function. There are grey areas, however, and we are willing to consider pitches that address them.

Spacing is about advocacy, defence, critique, solutions and celebration of the city. We want to inspire others to take part in our public space, by writing about creative things people are doing, and by giving them information and tools they can use. Spacing is above all a political and cultural magazine, and authors should show they are aware of the social implications of their subject. The majority of the articles will directly or indirectly address the politics of public space and its relation to other issues.

Submitting a Proposal

Before submitting a proposal, read through past issues of Spacing to get an idea of our writing style and the type of stories we are looking for.

Email a written proposal, along with a writing sample. The proposal should be long enough to include the angle, point of view, sources, and length. Please inform us if you have sent your proposal or manuscript to other publications. For the most part, Spacing is only interested in previously unpublished work.

The editorial collective will discuss your proposal. If it is accepted, you will be contacted by one of the editors. As we are constantly receiving new pitches from writers, this whole process often takes a few weeks, therefore, do not expect an immediate reply. If your proposal is not accepted, we will try our best to get back to you and let you know why.

We welcome proposals from both experienced and inexperienced writers. We receive numerous queries for each issue, and often end up with more good ideas than the magazine can hold. If we like your pitch, we will decide whether it is best suited for the magazine or the Spacing.ca web site. Writing for the web site is an especially good opportunity for new writers who are looking to explore ideas and formats best suited for the digital world. Most articles that do not make it into the printed magazine will usually become part of the Spacing.ca web site upon the issue's launch.

After an Article is Accepted

After your article is accepted, an editor will be assigned to your article and will let you know the word count as well as the deadline. Keep in mind that once you've submitted a completed piece to the magazine you may be asked to revise your article or to do more research.

Spacing will communicate with you about our contributor rates when we request the use of your contribution.

Any questions? Email Spacing Managing Editor: Todd Harrison [ toddharrison @ spacing . ca ]

If you'd like to contribute photos or illustrations email creative director Art Director: Matthew Blackett [ matt @ spacing . ca ]