Literary Journal

Brick, A Literary Journal

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Journals & literary magazines0 open opportunities listedCanada

About the magazine

Founded in 1977 by the late Stan Dragland and Jean McKay, Brick: A Literary Journal began as a modest broadsheet in London, Ontario, and has since become one of North America's most respected independent literary magazines. Its founding ethos was rooted in a belief that serious literary criticism could be as engaging and personal as the literature it examines. Over four decades, Brick has maintained a commitment to publishing essays, interviews, and reviews that are intellectually rigorous yet accessible, often blurring the boundaries between criticism, memoir, and prose poetry. The journal is known for its discerning editorial eye, championing work that is thoughtful, idiosyncratic, and resistant to academic jargon. Its pages have featured a wide range of voices, from emerging writers to Nobel laureates, always with an emphasis on clarity, curiosity, and a deep love of reading.

Editorial focus

Brick is an international literary magazine based in Toronto, Canada, and edited by Dionne Brand, David Chariandy, Laurie Graham, Michael Helm, Liz Johnston, and Madeleine Thien. With a focus on literary nonfiction, the magazine prizes the personal voice and celebrates life, art, and the written word with the most invigorating and challenging essays, interviews, translations, memoirs, belles lettres, and unusual musings the editors can get their hands on.

Creative Nonfiction

Submitting your work

Reading periodOct 1 to Oct 31

Reading feeNo

PaymentCash

Response timeGreater than 6 months

Simultaneous submissionsYes

Unsolicited submissionsYes

Brick publishes essays, interviews, and reviews, not fiction or poetry. Before submitting, read several recent issues to understand the journal's tone and range; work that is overly academic, jargon-heavy, or purely promotional is unlikely to fit. The editors value writing that is personal, essayistic, and grounded in a genuine engagement with books and ideas. Submissions should be previously unpublished, and simultaneous submissions are accepted with notification. A brief cover letter that situates your piece within the journal's tradition is helpful, but avoid flattery or excessive biography. Patience is advised: response times can be slow, and the editors often work with writers through multiple revisions. Above all, demonstrate that you have something original to say and that you say it with clarity and conviction.

Brick accepts unsolicited manuscripts of nonfiction only. Submissions must be previously unpublished. Please note that we do not accept fiction or poetry submissions at all.

Read official guidelines

Submission calls

1 listed

ClosedDeadline · 2026-10-01