FreeFall: Canada's Magazine of Exquisite Writing

Dec 6, 2011
Robin van Eck

FreeFallVol21No2 Cover - FreeFall Magazine

On the birth and growth of one of Canada's leading literary magazines

What started as a desire to provide a publishing outlet for members of the Alexandra Writers Centre Society, twenty years later FreeFall Magazine has become one of Canada's leading literary magazines.

Its name, borrowed from the "freefall method of writing" first introduced by W. O. Mitchell and later refined by Michael Fay, FreeFall Magazine was born from the Alexandra Writers Centre Society (AWCS) in 1990. The magazine was the realization of a few AWCS members in the hopes of providing their members an outlet to have their work published. In the early years, the magazine was distributed only to the members of the organization but certainly the dream of something bigger was always there.

In the early years, the magazine saw the likes of Faye Reineberg Holt, Shirley Black, Ashis Gupta, Sharon Drummond, Sherring Amsden published within its pages. Many of these writers have now gone on to become successful writers with numerous books or articles under their belts.

But the magazine struggled as is the norm for many literary magazines across the country,and around the world. Unable to retain volunteers to keep the magazine going, unable to access specific grant monies available only to literary magazines/publications, and unable to increase their subscription base to a competitive standard, a choice had to be made.

Should it stay or should it go?

The Changes That Were Made to FreeFall Magazine

Like a child leaving the nest for the first time, a decision had to be made. Under the direction of editor Micheline Maylor and managing editor Lynn Fraser, a proposal was made for FreeFall to branch out on its own, to become its own literary society.

And like a parent reluctant to let its baby leave, the AWCS was hesitant but, with the support of the rest of the family (members), together FreeFall and the AWCS came to a mutual agreement and the doors were opened.

Typically, when a child leaves home for the first time, he struggles to find his footing, to make a name for himself. But FreeFall became an exception. It found its footing and hasn’t stopped since.

FreeFall formed its own literary society, FreeFall Literary Society and changed the name of the magazine to FreeFall Magazine: Canada’s Magazine of Exquisite Writing.

When asked what they viewed as the greatest accomplishment of the FreeFall Literary Society, the answer was simple: tripling the subscriber base and national availability. As well, they have increased the amount they pay authors by five times: "It feels good to pay for every page in real money and still send a contributor copy, too. Authors, poets, and reviewers deserve compensation."

The magazine went from an 8 x 10 stapled copy to a smaller, perfect bound, glossy covered book. The page numbers have increased, allowing them room for more prose and poetry in each issue.

What Makes FreeFall Different From Other Literary Magazines?

FreeFall is linked to one of the only independent writers' centres in the country and the relationship has not changed. AWCS members receive an annual subscription with their membership and receive a discount on the annual contest entry fee. Recently, some of those members have even been nominated for awards by FreeFall, including Jane Cawthorne, Barb Howard, Barbara Parker, and Fran Kimmel.

Other writers should submit to FreeFall because it publishes a beautiful magazine. FreeFall is concerned with creative writers as writers and as readers - the whole creative process is addressed and recently they have added instructional columns for creative writers. They show the best of creative writing in their issues, and discuss in reviews interesting works coming out by Canadians. It's also a priority of the magazine to showcase emerging Alberta voices in each issue.

The magazine’s response time is low compared to some of the literary magazines across the country. And… they accept simultaneous submissions. Encourage it even. But the writer has an obligation, too. Never multiple submit to a contest. Never violate a specific set of submission guidelines. Always keep track of where you send your work and let the managing editors know immediately if you must withdraw your work. FreeFall believe editors need to realize time matters to authors.

Recently, they realized a goal of moving to three issues per year. This is occurring without an increase in cost to the AWCS members, for example, to underscore the continued good will. Their goal has always been responsible growth while honoring authors with aesthetically beautiful magazines and keen editorial.

Annual Prose and Poetry Contest

Each year, FreeFall holds an annual prose and poetry contest with a December 31 deadline. They invite a Governor General Award winning author to be the guest editor. This year it is Stephanie Bolster. Full submission guidelines are available on their website.