Geist

What this publication wants

This is BRYME's summary of the publication's focus — not a copy of their website. Type of writing: Creative nonfiction, Fiction, Poetry, Essays. Official guideline: Geist guidelines.

Topics, themes and styles they look for

• Short non-fiction under 2,000 words, typically personal narrative, for Notes & Dispatches — they are always seeking this.
• Longform essays up to 5,000 words: innovative, thoughtfully researched and emotionally resonant narrative non-fiction.
• Work that takes the shape of lists, letters, instructions or other unconventional structures, matching creativity with intellectual rigour.
• Comics that are weird, funny, unexpected or experimental. Poetry: a maximum of 5 poems.

Subjects they avoid

• Work with no connection to Canada or relevance to a Canadian audience.
• More than your best single short story — they usually publish one per issue.

Key requirements

• Submission form
• Canadian connection
• Read several issues first

Who can submit

Official: their priority is work from emerging and established writers and artists who are Canadian or permanent residents of Canada, or whose work has a strong connection to Canada or would be relevant to a Canadian audience. They encourage submissions from Black writers, Indigenous writers, writers of colour, writers with disabilities and LGBTQIA2S+ writers.

Rights

Geist purchases first North American Serial Rights and non-exclusive electronic rights. Copyright reverts to the author after publication. They may use part of the work for promotional purposes.

AI policy

Not stated in the guideline

How to write for them

Official requirement: always follow the publication's own guideline exactly.

BRYME's practical advice: write for the publication's audience, use a clear structure, keep paragraphs short, lead with a specific angle, and confirm the word count before submitting. These are practical suggestions — they are not the publication's official rules.

How to pitch

Where a pitch is required, this is the general pattern BRYME recommends — always adapt it to the publication's guideline.

1. Research the publication and read several recent pieces.
2. Choose a specific idea that fits their beat and audience.
3. Write a concise subject line naming your idea.
4. Introduce yourself in one or two lines (who you are, where you publish).
5. Explain the proposed piece in a short paragraph — angle, structure, length.
6. Say why it fits this publication.
7. Include 2–3 relevant clips or links.
8. Close professionally and thank them for their time.
9. Send through the official channel only.

Accepting submissions now, with no stated closing date.

Track this pitch

How to submit

Submission form on their site

Apply through the official channel below. BRYME only records submission destinations it has verified.

• Official guideline: opens the publication guideline (new tab)
• Submission: Submission form on their site
• Submission email: submit@geist.com

What the guideline asks you to prepare

• Read several issues of Geist, or the archives at geist.com, before submitting.
• Pick the right section — Notes & Dispatches is the most open door at under 2,000 words.
• Submit through the form at https://www.geist.com/submit/.

What happens after submission

Expected response: Not stated; due to volume you may not hear back

If the publication does not state a response time, BRYME records that it is unknown. A follow-up is generally reasonable after a couple of weeks; if there is still no response, treat that as a likely non-acceptance rather than a rejection. Acceptance is normally communicated by the publication. If they accept, they will tell you exactly how to submit the final piece and, for most, how and when payment is made.