If you’re looking to read incredible Canadian content, look no further than the many literary magazines published right here in Alberta: filling Station, FreeFall, Funicular, On Spec, The Polyglot, and The Prairie Journal are all committed to sharing emerging and established Canadian writers and poets.

This week, we’re shining the spotlight on FreeFall literary magazine based in Calgary, Alberta. There are two compelling issues—featuring poetry, fiction, non-fiction, literary reviews, author interviews, and visual arts—published each year by the FreeFall Literary Society of Calgary non-profit group. 

Their mandate is to “encourage the voices of new, emerging, and established Canadian writers while providing a platform to be proud of for their quality work.” FreeFall receives submissions from all over the world for their annual contest, but maintains “a commitment to Canadian content for general submissions.”

Each year, one issue is dedicated to the Annual Prose and Poetry Contest, with over $2,000 in prizes. Short story and poetry submissions are also considered for inclusion in the Calgary Public Library’s Short Story Dispenser, a machine at the Central Library branch that prints short fiction or poetry by local authors. This year’s contest—judged by award-winning author Sheri-D Wilson—runs until April 30, 2025, so there’s still time to send in your entries!

We asked Crystal Mackenzie, managing editor, about a past contest winner that represents an aspect of Canadian identity in a way that might especially resonate with readers in these times. She recommends “Lake Winnipeg” by Mike Sluchinski, the 2024 third place poetry winner: “The poem captures the ‘if you know, you know’ piece of a cultural identity, where inside jokes and knowing nods live. You don’t have to be from Winnipeg, or even an ice fisher, to connect with the poem and feel like you are in on the joke.” You can read the poem in FreeFall Volume XXXIIII Number 2, available through your local Alberta library’s eMagazine collection, or in a beautiful print copy.

For a taste of what FreeFall has to offer, take a moment to sample these 2024 Alberta Magazine Publishing Awards nominees: Tyler Hein’s short story “Mouse Trap,” Dee Hobsbawn-Smith’s poem “Departure” (introduced and read here in a FreeFall video with the poet), and Bruce Hunter’s gold award-winning poem “Dark Water.” All three award-nominated pieces are included in FreeFall’s Spring 2023 issue. 

Purchase any issue of FreeFall online or at many of the independent and chain bookstores across Canada. Writer’s Guild of Alberta members can even receive a discount on their annual subscription!