Sure. Our readers prefer 'entertaining' stories.Our best advice is to read an issue or two, then ask yourself if you'd expect to see a story like yours in Storyteller.

How long does it take for you to tell me if you've accepted or rejected my story?

We try to return rejected manuscripts as quickly as possible. Stories we intend to publish usually take longer, as we must consider each story in the context of all the others we're planning to publish in that issue. We usually spend about six weeks preparing an issue for publication, so if your story happens to arrive just as we've stopped reading and begun editing, it could take up to three months to hear from us.

It's been four months, and I still haven't heard from you.

Did you send a SASE with sufficient postage? Did you double-check that your address and postal code were correct? Did you double-check that our address and postal code were correct? If so, then something went awry. Perhaps we never received the story, perhaps it got lost on the return trip. I you haven't heard from us in four months, it's safe to assume that we have no plans to publish your story, and you're free to submit it elsewhere.

I've corrected the problems you wrote about when you rejected my story. Can I send it to you again?

It's not considered appropriate protocol to resend a story unless the editor has specifically requested it. Editors, like the readers they choose stories for, judge stories on first impression. If you made a good enough first impression, the editor will ask for a second look.

Why do some stories get a form letter rejection and some get a more detailed sheet?

Sometimes, there's not much to say about a story except "yes, we will be publishing it in an upcoming issue, or "no, thank you." Sometimes the editor has the time to give details, and sometimes not. Don't assume that a form-letter rejection means anything better or worse than a detailed rejection.

Can I send you a story that's shorter/longer than your specified word count?

No. Please keep submissions within our specified word count.

Do you accept email submissions?

No, for several reasons. First, with the number of viruses out there, it isn't always safe. Also, it is not an efficient way for us to work.

Do you publish poetry? book reviews? essays?

No - we're Canada's Short Story Magazine. Other magazines are doing a fine job publishing everything from how-to articles to experimental fiction. We don't think Canada needs another magazine to do that.

Can I illustrate my own story?

Illustration is a very specialized field, and we're very happy with the illustrators we have now. They work closely with us, and know exactly the kind of thing we're looking for. Introducing new graphic styles would upset the overall balance of graphics and text. If you'd like to illustrate for Storyteller, feel free to send us samples of your work. But we recommend you send us story illustrations, as opposed to drawings unrelated to any fiction.

I'm a brand-new writer. What are my chances of getting into Storyteller?

As good as anybody's. We don't choose stories based on age, sex or food preferences. We don't really care who's written the story, as long as it's the kind of story we want to publish.

How can I increase my chances of getting into Storyteller?

Luck has absolutely nothing to do with it. Professionalism does, even if you've never published a story before. Professional writers know their markets, know the quality and type of story those markets accept. We cannot overemphasize the importance of becoming familiar with a magazine--any magazine--before you send them your work.