2023 Writing in the Margins Shortlist

Every year for over a decade, Briarpatch Magazine has held an annual Writing in the Margins contest. We accept entries of fresh creative non-fiction, poetry, and photography that bring to life issues of social and environmental justice. We want writing and photos from the edges – from new creators who have something important to say, or from longtime creators who can show us a new way of seeing things.

We are delighted to announce the shortlisted entries in our 13th annual Writing in the Margins contest. Thank you to all of the writers and photographers who shared their work with us, and congratulations to our shortlisted entrants!

Creative Non-Fiction Shortlist

"No Irish, no Blacks, no dogs" by Lee Mae Spence
"We were breastfed war" by Izzeddin Hawamda
"The land travelled through" by Dorion Thomas Gray Ramsey
"We feast" by Kayla Tanner
"Are you North or South Korean?" by Iris (Yi Youn) Kim

Poetry Shortlist

"To the land" by Sarrah Ghadeer Malek
"The inquiry" by Valdez Juan Straughter
"River study" by Kyla Jamieson
"Leaving home: Ekhaya" by Tatenda Dlali
"Cagro Bhai (Brother Crow)" by Fazeela Jiwa

Photography Shortlist

"Doorstep to doorstep" by Selena Phillips-Boyle
"The little ones are watching" by Marco Muller

Our judges Helen Knott (creative nonfiction), Juliane Okot Bitek (poetry), and Kevin Settee (photography) will select one winner and a runner-up in each of their respective categories. The winners will be published in our May/June 2024 issue and the runners-up will be published online on this website in May. We will announce the best hometown entry in the coming weeks.

This contest was possible thanks to a grant from the Regina Public Interest Research Group (RPIRG).