CONTRIBUTE TO FOLKLIFE
FOLKLIFE pieces are meaningful stories about how people live the slow life, and why.
Roger at his fairy door on Salt Spring Island. Photo by Hope Fulton. Photo by Hope Fulton.
We look for honest, romantic, soulful, and perspective-shifting work that reveals life as an art form.
Our readers are curious, cultured, creative, and values-led. They care about slowing down, creativity, and their communities. They're exploring living close to the earth, and with intention.
What we're looking for
- Profiles and personal essays rooted in everyday detail
- Thoughtful reflections on craft, ritual, food, place, or process
- Hard and beautiful stories about the human experience from grief to joy
- Stories that begin with a single mug, memory, memento, or morning
- Visual work—photography, illustration, or mixed media—that lingers and surprises
Think Humans of New York, because we can all relate in some way, but slower and more spacious.
An artist finding purpose in paint making. A writer unpacking grief through tarot. A family living off-grid in the rainforest. A fat body living in a thin world.
The magic is in the detail, the honesty, and the invitation to connect.
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Photo by Syd Woodward.
TONE & STYLE
The best FOLKLIFE work is
Unflinchingly honest, never too cool for school
Visionary, grounded, and generous
Romantic, irreverent, serious, or surprising—but always real
Makes readers say “You’ve got to read this. It’s beautiful / funny / bold / moving.”
Photo by Stasia Garraway.
Photographers
We look for bold, deep, and smart visuals that complement our stories and stand on their own. If your work feels honest, artful, and beautiful—and makes people linger—it may be a good fit.
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Dave Bodaly of First Nations descent from Snuneymuxw First Nation, showcasing the cedar woven hat he made by hand. Photo by Syd Woodward.
FAQ
Written Submissions
We welcome finished work. If you’re unsure whether your idea is right for FOLKLIFE, reach out—we’re happy to help guide you.
- Aim for written features to be around 750 words for FOLKLIFE Magazine.
- For digital features we consider slightly longer or shorter peices.
FOLKLIFE Magazine is published every Spring in April, and every Fall in October.
We accept submissions year-round, for both print and digital, and will consider yours where it fits. Each magazine Volume does have a theme, but each piece doesn't have to fit the theme of the Volume.
Please note: FOLKLIFE readers don't come to us looking for local events or what's happening around town. Your piece should be interesting and relevant to our international audience. Thanks for understanding.
Please submit your pitch to info@folklifemag.ca.
Photography Submissions
Please submit examples of your work to info@folklifemag.ca.
Do you have a style guide?
Yes, we do. Please reference the FOLKLIFE Style Guide for written submissions.
Do you accept queries?
Do you accept previously published work and simultaneous submissions?
Yes, if it’s been published before, please include where and when.
Can you tell me why my piece wasn’t accepted or provide feedback?
We wish we could, but we’re a small team and can’t always give feedback. If your piece wasn’t accepted, it may be due to space, readiness, or overlap with other content. Keep writing, join a writers’ group, and submit again.
Do you have a current theme I can consider for FOLKLIFE Magazine?
We often work with themes in our magazine, but they sometimes shift during production. Contact us to ask about our current theme, but your piece doesn’t have to fit it exactly.
Get in touch
