Guidelines

To Build Her Home is a home for stories. This Surrey-based publishing and art house welcomes emerging and established storytellers from across Canada.

Submission Theme: Remembrance

Definition: The act of honouring the past by keeping stories, memories, and wisdom alive in the present.

Submission Types

Poetry

  • Submit up to three poems per submission.

  • The total submission should not exceed three pages.

  • Please submit all written work in .docx or .doc format.

Fiction

  • Submit up to two self-contained works per submission.

  • Each piece should be no longer than 2,000 words.

  • Please ensure that each work is complete and can stand alone.

  • Please submit all written work in .docx or .doc format.

Non-Fiction

  • Submit up to two works per submission.

  • Each piece should be no longer than 2,000 words.

  • Please submit all written work in .docx or .doc format.

Visual Art

  • We accept photography, illustrations, multimedia, paintings, and drawings.

  • Submit up to 5 pieces per submission.

  • Include a brief statement (1–2 sentences) describing the intent or concept behind your work.

  • Please submit all written work in .docx or .doc format.

Annual Submission Windows

Spring Submissions: March 20 – May 31
Eligibility: Digital submissions are open to Canadian contributors. Must be 19 and older.

Submission Options

To Build Her Home offers flexible submission options to ensure accessibility for all creators:

  • Standard Submission

    Submission fee: $3 CAD

    If fee is a barrier, please send us an email through contact us

How to Submit

  1. Complete the submission form below.
    Please ensure all required fields are filled out accurately.

  2. Proceed to the payment.
    After submitting the form, you will automatically be redirected to the submission fee payment page.

  3. Enter your payment information.
    Follow the secure checkout process to complete your payment.

  4. Receive confirmation.
    Once your payment has been successfully processed, you will receive: A confirmation email verifying your submission.

Rights & Copyright

Written Work

To Build Her Home does not accept written work that has been previously published in print or online. This includes personal blogs, websites, newsletters, and social media platforms.

Submissions must be new to the public and unpublished at the time of submission.

Visual Art

We do not accept visual art that has been previously published in print publications (including books and magazines).

We will consider visual art that has appeared on personal websites, social media platforms, galleries, or exhibitions.

Rights

To Build Her Home acquires First Serial Rights and the non-exclusive right to archive the work on our website.

First Serial Rights means we have the right to publish the work for the first time.

Copyright remains with the creator and fully reverts to the author or artist upon publication.

After publication, creators are free to republish their work elsewhere, with acknowledgment of its first publication in To Build Her Home.

Response Time

Each submission is thoughtfully reviewed by our editorial team. Contributors can expect to receive a response within one to four months, allowing us the time to give every piece the attention and care it deserves.

General Inquiries

For all non-submission-related questions, please contact: Tobuildherhometeam@gmail.com

Submit Your Story.