Arc accepts unsolicited submissions of previously unpublished poetry in English, or translations of poetry into English, on any subject and in any form. For spoken word pieces, poetry uploaded to a submitter's personal channel or social media account is eligible for submission.
Arc is NOT accepting general poetry submissions. General submissions received between April 1, 2026 and July 31, 2026, will be considered for the Spring 2027 issue.
Arc publishes reviews, interviews, and articles on poetry and poetry-related subjects. Please query first as Arc seldom considers unsolicited prose manuscripts; submit pitches or ideas, including a brief description and an estimate of anticipated length, along with samples of previously published work.
Arc does not publish fiction or drama.
Arc publishes a limited amount of artwork in black and white and in colour by a single artist or photographer in each issue, including on the front and back covers, and on up to eight inside pages. Please see www.arcpoetry.ca for instructions on querying about contributing visual art to the magazine.
Arc tries respond to unsolicited submissions of poetry and essay/article queries within four to six months. Arc can’t promise to respond to inquiries regarding the status of submissions before the completion of this editorial cycle.
Arc’s Writers’ Fees are as follows:
$50 per page for poetry or prose (including feature-length reviews) published in the magazine.
$50 per print-page-equivalent for poetry or prose on the website.
$80 per column for brief (approx. 500-word) reviews.
Diana Brebner Prize
Prize: $500
The Diana Brebner Prize is awarded yearly for the best poem written by a National Capital Region poet, who has not yet been published in book form. The prize honours the late Diana Brebner, an award-winning Ottawa-based poet who was devoted to fostering literary talent among new, local writers.
Entry Fees
Each entry also entitles the entrant to a 1 year (3 issue) Canadian subscription to Arc. If the entrant is in the USA, they will get 2 issues of Arc; if they are outside of the USA and Canada, they will receive 1 issue of Arc.
Entry fees are $35 for 1-2 poems, and additional poems are $5 per poem. Please inquire about alternative payment methods if necessary.
Guidelines
- Eligible entries must not exceed 35 lines each (including spaces).
- No simultaneous submissions or previously published poems will be accepted.
- Entrant’s name, address, e-mail and phone number must not appear on the poems.
- Emailed entries should have “Diana Brebner Prize” in the subject line, and can be sent to: brebner@arcpoetry.ca.
- Mailed entries should be sent to: Diana Brebner Prize, Arc Poetry Magazine, 2 Daly Avenue, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, K1N 7B9
Eligibility
The contest is open to authors who have had their principal home and actual residence in the National Capital Region for at least 6 months immediately prior to the date of submission, and who have not yet published their poetry in book form. Proof of residency may be required.
Policies
Mailed entries will not be returned.
Entrants’ information is concealed during deliberations.