Submission guidelines

The 8th House Poetry and Short Stories project is open to emerging Black writers in Mi’kma’ki.

Submission guidelines:

• You are an emerging Black writer, who may have up to three publication credits, but who has not been published in book or ebook form.
• You are 18+
• You reside in Nova Scotia, and have for the six months prior to January 1, 2026 (preference will be given to writers residing in event areas [Halifax, Cherry Brook, Wolfville]). Limited travel bursary is available for applicants outside these areas. 

Submission guidelines:

We are inviting writers to submit work to participate in a live performance, be published in a zine and participate in mentored writing workshops with local established Black authors. 

To apply, writers should submit unpublished poetry or prose pertaining to the theme The 8^th House. The 8^th House represents ancestors, transformation, death, rebirth and tenacity.  

Poetry submissions may be three to five pieces of poetry.

Prose submissions may be up to 3500 words in length. 

You may submit EITHER poetry OR prose.

The resulting live performances of the submitted work will be 8-10 minutes long. 

Depending on length, written works may be edited for the zine publication with author approval. 

Your submission should be typed, double spaced, in Arial or a similarly easy to read font, in 12 point text. It can be saved in a word document or PDF and attached to your submission email. Please also include a short bio (three to four sentences) and a letter of intent. In the letter of intent please tell us:

1. Why you want to be part of The 8th House project.
2. What you most hope to learn from the mentorship workshops.
3. Your publication history.

Email your submission to the8thhousemikmaki [at] gmail.com

Project timeline:

Feb 16, 11:59pm AT – Submission deadline

March 3 – Applicants notified of final decision

March 13, 14 – Virtual workshops

March 27 – Zine edits due, if applicable

April 20-25 – Approval of zine edits by participants

May 8 to 10 – Live events, details to be announced