The Walrus

What this publication wants

This is BRYME's summary of the publication's focus — not a copy of their website. Type of writing: Essays, Journalism, Personal essays. Official guideline: The Walrus guidelines.

Topics, themes and styles they look for

• A pitch with the story, original research, approach, format, length, and why you. Samples as links or attachments.
• Essays: focused argument, original and significant, deeper than a newspaper op-ed.
• Features: stories not subjects — characters, access, narrative.
• Memoir: completed draft only.
• Note if it is a simultaneous submission.

Subjects they avoid

• A story The Walrus already covered.
• Fiction or poetry in this inbox. Fiction is Canadian writers, windows 1 Jan–28 Feb and 1 Jun–31 Jul only — closed on 19 August 2026.

Key requirements

• Email pitch@thewalrus.ca
• Description, research, length, clips

Who can submit

The official page does not restrict essays and features by nationality. Fiction and poetry guidelines separately say Canadian writers/poets. Do not collapse those rules.

Rights

Writers retain derivative rights. The page does not spell out first serial rights in more detail.

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

Email pitch (completed draft required for memoir)

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

• Official guideline: opens the publication guideline (new tab)
• Submission: Email pitch (completed draft required for memoir)
• Submission email: pitch@thewalrus.ca

What the guideline asks you to prepare

• Read https://thewalrus.ca/about/submissions/.
• Email pitch@thewalrus.ca for essays and features.
• Fiction: fiction@thewalrus.ca only in the stated windows. Poetry: poetry@thewalrus.ca.

What happens after submission

Expected response: Not publicly stated

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.