Want to write for us?

Then we’d love to hear your ideas. Julian Sterling publishes thoroughly researched, deeply reported narrative non-fiction about Atlantic Canadian people, places, and ideas. Stories should range from 4,000 to 8,000 words.

Before pitching to us, consider the following questions:

What’s your story?

We’re looking for stories, not subjects. Narratives, not thinkpieces. Creative nonfiction is often grounded in newsworthy or topical events and issues, but those ideas are brought to vivid life by a focus on people, places, and scenes. In other words, storytelling.

So as much as possible, let us know:

  • Who are the main subjects/characters? (Not simply sources of information, but individuals whose experiences drive forward the narrative action of the story.)
  • What are the key locations?
  • What is the narrative arc?
  • What are some of the key scenes you can describe?
  • Does the story involve some key dramatic conflict—whether institutional, interpersonal, personal, or otherwise—that will make for compelling storytelling?

What’s your style?

We’re not looking for flowery writing, but we do want to publish writers whose prose style is accomplished, engaging, and evocative. Craft your pitch with something approaching the style you’ll bring to the piece.

Explain why Julian Sterling is the right place for your story, and why you’re the person to write it. And of course, include a couple of your best previously published clips, regardless of subject matter.

What We’re Looking For, In a Nutshell

Again, stories. Dramatic, funny, moving, surprising, or otherwise compelling narratives about people, requiring intimate access to those people, and cooperation from them. If these stories reflect deeper ideas and themes relevant to Atlantic Canada, Canada, or the world at large, all the better.

If you’ve never pitched something of this kind before, take a look at former Walrus and Maisonneuve editor Drew Nelles’ guide to writing a magazine pitch letter.

And read some of our favourite recent long-form pieces to get a sense of how we approach storytelling:

Send pitches and queries to [email protected]