About
Shrapnel is a not-for-profit online magazine showcasing original writing in absurdism, humour, surrealism, and other adjacent experimental genres from emerging writers across our fiction, creative non-fiction, essays, hybrid forms, and poetry sections. We also converse with the Canadian literary community through book reviews, interviews, and blog articles.
We are also keen to publish graphic narratives and comics, as well as transgenre work that is not easily categorized!
While we publish a variety of content, what sets us apart from most literary magazines is that we yearn for surreal, absurd, or humorous pieces. Fresh writing across all genres is welcome from CNF to spec. So send us your ridiculous and bizarre tales as we’re doing our best to be a beacon of playfulness in the literary world.
We support women, trans, and non-binary writers, members of the LGBTQIA2 community, as well as BIPOC voices.
Please submit to us through our submission page, and get updates about our community by signing up to our newsletter and following us on Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok.
Our Goals
We’ve got plans. Big plans. We’re looking to eventually start a book club, print themed bi-annual issues, and produce a podcast. Unfortunately, these things all cost money.
If you like what we’re about, we humbly ask that each person who sends a submission to kindly donate $5 if it’s within your means. In return, each writer will receive feedback on their piece, even in the event that the work is not quite what we’re looking to publish. For new writers, some direction and encouragement can be hard to come by from other magazines and publishers.
Your donation matters, and every dollar goes toward another writer getting published on our site. We'd be so grateful if you'd throw us that fiver you were going to spend on that coffee date you flaked on yesterday. Last we heard, reading at home is healthier than caffeine anyway.
Please note that if you’re in a position of financial hardship and are unable to donate, your submission will be evaluated with the same care that we give every piece, and personalized responses will be provided regardless.
Masthead
Jo Ramsay — Editorial Director
Jo Ramsay is a Canadian editor who also works as a literary assistant at PS Literary Agency. They’ve worked in publishing for several years at places that include PRISM International, This Magazine, Arsenal Pulp Press, Greystone Books, and The Ubyssey. They’ve lived in Canada, the UK, and Japan.
Reach them at editorial.director@shrapnelmagazine.com.
Dessa Bayrock — Poetry Editor
Dessa Bayrock lives in Ottawa with two cats and used to fold and unfold paper for a living at Library and Archives Canada. She is currently a PhD student in English, where she continues to fold and unfold paper. She was the editor of post ghost press for nearly three years and was the recent recipient of the Diana Brebner Prize. You can find her at dessabayrock.com or on Instagram at @dessayo, where she reviews books and posts anticapitalist memes.
Reach her at poetry@shrapnelmagazine.com.
Nour Sallam — Reviews Editor
Nour Sallam lives and works on the unceded, unsurrendered Territory of the Anishinaabe Algonquin Nation (Ottawa, ON). Nour has previously worked in editing, podcasting, communication, and journalism. She loves books of any genre that feature BIPOC characters, complex and nuanced histories, or touch on social and political issues.
Reach her at reviews@shrapnelmagazine.com.
Arjun Singh — Staff Blog Writer
Arjun Singh is an emerging writer located in the Greater Toronto Area. He writes prose and screenplays and is currently hard at work on a novel, screenplay and a short story collection. Her is also an avid reader and has an ambitious goal of reading 60 books every year. Arjun was published in the Humber Literary Review's Spotlight edition in Spring 2022.
Angie Barrios — Social Media Coordinator
Angie is a multi-media designer specializing in film and video production. She also enjoys working as a graphic designer and social media coordinator, creating and nurturing a community through social media. Outside of work, Angie enjoys painting and trying out cultural dishes from around the world.
Kathleen Landayto — Art Director
Kathleen is a freelance Graphic Designer specializing in branding for small businesses. She also enjoys working as an illustrator, creating culturally inspired pieces and custom artwork for her clients, and building up an art collection for sale on Etsy. Outside of work, Kathleen enjoys baking and tasting new food.