Submissions open Tuesday, Sept. 4, 2018 at 10am.
Submissions close Saturday, Nov. 3, 2018 at 9pm.
Zine published Sunday, Nov. 4, 2018 at 3pm.

In celebration of the 200th anniversary of the publication of Frankenstein, the Wordsfest Zine invites submissions of poetry, graphic art (drawing and comics), prose, creative nonfiction, and monstrous hybrids inspired by and in response to Mary Shelley’s classic work and its ongoing cultural legacy. Submissions may address, but are not limited to:

• the monstrous and monsters of all kinds
• artificial life, cyborgs and the transhuman
• the gothic, feminist horror, and horror generally
• alienation
• transformations
• hubris, genius, and their downfall 
• the possibilities and dangers of science
• obsession and revenge
• the reception, reproduction and transformation of the Frankenstein story 
• the contemporary relevance and ramifications of the text

 
Frankenstein is a rich and complex text whose ongoing cultural life is a vibrant collection of diverse and varied transformations, appropriations, and retellings. The above is by no means an exhaustive list of the themes this iconic work and its descendants touch on or of the creative avenues the book has opened up. Contributors are encouraged to explore the full breath of Frankenstein’s legacy. In one of the first reviews of the book, La Belle Assemblée called Frankenstein“a very bold fiction,” and we are looking for very bold writing. Impress us. Surprise us. And, maybe, shock us. 
All submissions should be under 500 words and graphic art should be no more than two pages.

​WordsFest produces an instant magazine called WordsFestZine. Anyone could submit work for publication. The work has to be related to WordsFest and our theme. It could be a reaction to a reading, event, an author, a happening, the contours of the day, anything that was brought about in contact with the Festival. In the great tradition of occasional writing, WordsFestZine documents, analyzes and celebrates the events, people and works that make up the festival as it is happening.

The publication is a partnership between Insomniac Press,
​Poetry London and WordsFest.

Download a PDF of the zine.
Click here for the 2017 zine wordfestzine_2017_final.pdf
Click here for the 2016 zine 2016wordfestzine.pdf
Click here the 2015 zine wordzine1.pdf

Purchase a copy
If you would like to purchase a copy of the zine email
Carolyn Doyle at Carolyn.doyle@lpl.london.on.ca.
​ They cost $5 per copy plus shipping and handling.