That’s right, we have another Writer’s Circle tomorrow, as well as another meeting of our Writer’s Room. Writer’s Room, 12-2pm, Adam’s Flora—a place for brainstorming, writing, and listening to everyone sip on their various beverages as they hammer away at their latest project. Or maybe you’re like me and you just need the space to get some work done, and that is absolutely fine too! Writer’s Circle, 2-4pm, Adam’s Flora—A place for sharing your writing and getting feedback! Also super fun, and a good way to connect with some fellow writers.

Reminder! We have another Reading + Q&A, this time featuring authors Jennifer Lovegrove and Emma McKenna. It’s from 7-9pm on September 11th, and is at the Niagara Artists Centre. We hope to see you there!

We are ONE month away from publication for John Whittier Treat’s Seventh City of Refuge! Preorder is still available on our website. Additionally, we are still open for submissions! Information about what we are looking for, and how to submit it, is also on our website.

That’s all, folks! Hope to see you at the events, and, as always, stay safe!

— The Phylum Team

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Quickly, before we dive right into what we’ve been working on, we just want to let you know that, yes, our submissions are still open! We’re looking for pieces that reflect the red twig dogwood; A plant that grows through winter, showing that even in the harshest of times, it can still beat the odds. We want pieces that reflect perseverance and strength! We kindly ask that all submissions stick to our theme for this issue. Any pieces centering around nature and the environment are encouraged. Our full-length submissions are open as well!

Moving right along, as you might have seen from our socials, we’ve been busy-bees here at Phylum. The biggest news, we hired two new staff members! In fact, a round of applause for Blythe as she tips her toes in the water of newsletter writing. I don’t know why I’m speaking in the third-person—Hello, Blythe here. Marketing Coordinator reporting for duty! A little bit about me is that I’m a writer and an editor on the side, and I have a cat named Guillotine who you may see stepping onto my keyboard from time to time. Additionally–and I know I’m already dropping a lot of information on you, stay with me–we hired the lovely Renée as our Publishing Assistant! Renée is also ecstatic to be a part of the team, and says: “My name is Renée Colucci (she/her), and I am the new publishing assistant at Phylum Press. My role includes tasks such as grant applications, various administrative duties, and event outreach for upcoming publications. I am a recent graduate from the English Language and Literature program at Brock University where I enjoyed my time as both a student and research assistant. I am an avid reader who enjoys approaching literature both as a hobby and from a research perspective. I believe that literature has the power and the duty to stimulate, challenge, and educate today’s readers, and I look forward to engaging with literature of this nature through my work with Phylum Press.”

Also, we had another one of our fantastic workshops with Anjalee on May 17th. Couldn’t attend? We’ll get you next time!

Lastly, we at Phylum are looking for ARC readers! If you’re interested in reading Phylum’s publications and posting reviews, please email eic@phylumpress.ca with: a short introduction, link to your socials/where you’ll be posting the review, what kind of work you’d be interested in reviewing.

That’s all from us for this week! We hope to see all your gorgeous submissions in our inbox soon!

Please join us tomorrow from 2 to 4 pm at Adam’s Flora for our Writer’s Circle! As always, we’ll be in the basement room, sharing and editing each other’s work. All levels of writers are welcome! Please come prepared with work to read and share with others.

We are having our second workshop with Anjalee on Sunday, April 5th! Here’s some more information:

Whether you’re a pantser or a plotter, join Phylum Press this season with facilitator Anjalee Nadarajan in a series of three online workshops: Project Storyworld. These workshops seek to help you in creating compelling characters, immersive settings, and well-structured plots. We want you to leave the workshops with more confidence and community support to tackle your storytelling project.

You will gain organizational tools, writing exercises, and methods for exploring different perspectives that can help you out of any stuck place. You will also learn terms from narrative theory that can provide a systematic way for you to distinguish between concepts like characters vs. narrators, and chronological order of events vs. narrated order of events.

Above all, you will be surrounded by other story nerds who are also going through the same pleasurable but frustrating process of writing a story.

E-transfer or PayPal $5 CAD to phylumpress@gmail.com to register. Please include your email in the notes!

We also wanted to let you know that submissions for issue 6 are open! This issue’s theme is Red Twig Dogwood, a plant that grows through winter, meaning that even in the harshest of times, it can still beat the odds. We want pieces that reflect perseverance and strength! Information on how to submit is available on our website and Instagram page!

Last but not least, we have a reading on Saturday, April 4th. Join us from 6 pm to 8 pm at the Niagara Artists Centre for an electrifying evening of readings from four authors of fantasy, sci-fi, and horror. Featuring Anuja Varghese, Emily A, Weedon, Chris Kuriata, and Terri Favro!

That’s all for now, readers, and we hope to see you at these events!

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For starters, we wanted to thank everyone who came out to our reading on Sunday, March 1st! We had an amazing turn out, and a special thank you to our readers Martha Batiz, Damian Tarnopolsky, and Ryad Assani-Razaki!

We have another writers circle this Saturday, March 14th from 2 to 4 pm at Adam’s Flora. The writer’s circle is open to all ages and levels of writers, we simply ask you come prepared with work to share. As always, we will be in the basement room of the venue!

We also have another reading this Sunday, March 15th at the Niagara Artists Centre. Join us from 7 to 9 pm for a reading and Q&A with writers Alison Gadsby, Heidi von Palleske, and KR Wilson. By the way, all attendees will receive a free mystery gift!

Beginning on March 22nd, we will begin hosting workshops run by our very own Anjalee Nadarajan! Titled Project Storyworld, this series of workshops is intended to teach how to create compelling characters, immersive settings, and well-structured plots. Workshops will run online and registration can be done by sending $5 via PayPal or e-transfer to phylumpress@gmail.com. Please include your email in the notes so we can send you the link for the workshop!

Last but not least, stay tuned as our full-length submissions will be re-opening! Further details to follow.

That’s all for now, folks!

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First and foremost, please join us this Sunday, March 1st for a reading and Q&A at the Niagara Artists Centre! From 7 pm to 9 pm, we will be listening to authors Damian Tarnopolsky, Martha Bátiz, and Ryad Assani-Razaki. Anyone who joins us for the reading will receive a free copy of one of our journals! We hope to see you there!

There will be another Writer’s Circle this Saturday, February 28th, from 2 pm to 4 pm at Adam’s Flora! We will be in the downstairs room, and writers of all ages and levels are welcome! Please come prepared with work to share and have edited.

Phylum Press is now offering a subscription model for our journals! Click here to view details on how to subscribe.

Lastly, we wanted to welcome our newest team member, Publishing Assistant Gabriella Campbell!

Gabriella Campbell is two months away from being a Creative Writing and Publishing graduate with the goal of building a life rooted in poetry. When Campbell is not writing, she is reading emotionally raw poetry and erotic fiction, often found giggling and kicking her feet next to her partner. She finds inspiration from authors like Katee Robert and Charlotte Brontë who speak on desire and emotional intensity in vastly different but equally uncompromising ways. When she finally puts her books down, Campbell turns to the universe itself, finding love in everything mother nature provides. Whether she is on a hike a couple hours from her home town, or walking in the grass barefoot in her backyard, she is embracing the earth one way or another. Campbell is a free spirit and an empathetic companion who takes what she is given and turns it into something magical.

That’s all for now, readers, and we hope you stay warm!

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More info coming soon. Until then!

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Due to the wrath of Jack Frost, we had to postpone our January 25th reading, and a new date will be announced soon. Stay tuned for the details! With that being said, we wanted to invite everyone to our (now) first reading of the year! Join us on February 8th, 2026, at the Niagara Artists Centre from 7 to 9 pm for a reading and Q&A with Alice Fitzpatrick, Aviva Rubin, and Lisa de Nikolits.

We also wanted to announce our second full-length publication:

COMING FALL 2027 - MUCH HAPPINESS AND OTHER STORIES: A new collection of tales by Janet Goldberg, author of the Proprietor’s Song and Like Human.

No matter their age, characters in Much Happiness and Other Stories struggle to find contentment in a world often bereft of it and are forced to confront themselves.

Phylum wanted to remind everyone that we are offering a subscription model for our journals! Click here to view details on how to subscribe.

Lastly, our submissions for ISSUE 005: DEVIL’S IVY close tomorrow, January 31st.

That’s all for now, and until next time!

Starting tomorrow, Saturday, January 17th, Phylum Press is hosting writer’s circles! Join us every other Saturday from 2-4 pm at Adam’s Flora with work you want to share and receive feedback on! All levels of writers and genres are welcome.

Our first reading series and Q&A will be taking place next Sunday, January 25th, from 7-9 pm at the Niagara Artists Centre. We’ll be joined by talented writers Aaron Kreuter, J.M. Frey, and Chyana Marie Sage. Join us and bring a friend!

Phylum Press also wanted to announce that we are launching a subscription for our journals. When you subscribe to a yearly subscription, you’ll earn 10% off! There’s no longer a need to buy them one by one when you subscribe, so head to our website phylumpress.ca for more information. Individual journals are still available for purchase!

Last but certainly not least, submissions for Issue 005: Devil’s Ivy will close on January 31st, 2026. Submit your fiction, non-fiction, poetry, or visual art today!

That’s all for now, dear readers. May we seize the new year!

There’s not much to report dear readers, besides a recap of our reading on December 7th. A huge thank you to Irina Moga for sharing her talent, and as always, thank you to everyone who came out!

Our fifth issue, Devil’s Ivy, is open for submissions now.

Phylum Press also wanted to take a moment and thank everyone for a wonderful year. We have seen exponential growth in our community, our team, and our network. None of this would be possible without the support of everyone around us. From our readers, to our team members, to our contributors, we appreciate each and every one of you.

But for now, we hibernate, and we’ll see you in 2026!

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We concluded our November readings at the Open Gallery Room last Sunday, November 30th. A huge thank you to Rosanna Micelotta Battigelli, David Giuliano, and Brit Griffin for their words and their time, and to everyone who came out to listen! We had a lovely reading, with David and Brit joining us over an online call; Rosanna was lucky enough to make it in person. Regardless, we are grateful for the dedication from these writers!

A reminder to everyone that our final reading of the year will be held this Sunday, December 7th, at the Niagara Artists Centre. Irina Moga will be joining us and sharing her work! We hope to see you all there! Our next reading will not be until January 2026.

Lastly, submissions are open for Issue 005: Devil’s Ivy! Send your work via email to phylumpress@gmail.com. Full submission details can be found on our website! As for Issue 004: Corkscrew Willow, it will be available for purchase in just a few days.

That’s all for now; after this, we’ll have one final newsletter until 2026. See you then, dear reader!

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We are also pleased to announce that we have contracted John Whittier Treat and his novel, The Seventh City of Refuge. We are thrilled to be working with John and can’t wait to share his amazing work with all of you, dear readers! We will slowly begin announcing our published manuscripts as time goes on, so stay tuned!

Last but certainly not least, Adam’s Flora (122 St. Paul Street, St. Catharines) has generously offered to host writers’ circles. If there are any writers located in or around the St. Catharines area who would be interested in joining, please let us know via email phylumpress@gmail.com or through DM’s via our Instagram phylumpress. This is a great opportunity to meet fellow writers who you can collaborate with, and to strengthen your skills as a writer and creative!

A final reminder that our submissions for Issue 5: Devil’s Ivy are NOW OPEN! Issue 4: Corkscrew Willow will be available Early December for purchase. Lastly, our submissions for our full-length manuscripts will close on November 30th. That’s all from us…for now!

Live Q&A to take place after the readings.

Park’s novel is set primarily in Oxford, England, and revolves around the only Korean Restaurant in town: the Oxford Soju Club. When I started this novel, I was drawn in by the mystery, straight-forward wording, and fascinating background of the novel. As I read, I was further enraptured by constant discussions of what it means to be “Korean,” whether one hails from the North, South, or another country entirely. This is, to put it mildly, a fascinating, emotional, clever book that manages to weave multiple genres of story into one. A mystery spy story done right. And it feels like a mystery – Park frames the story like a series of clues that appear as characters learn them, jumping from the very beginning, the death of Doha Kim, into his past, revealing who the legendary spy-master really is. Readers won’t get their final answer until the very end, but, if they’re like me, will rush to get there.

I am excited to see what Jinwoo Park does next. With Oxford Soju Club, Park promises to be an author who plays with the form of a novel, who tackles challenging, emotional, but also unique themes, with even more unique settings. While Oxford Soju Club is Jinwoo Park’s debut novel, he has worked on several other narrative based projects, including the award-nominated game Wonhon, a short film titled Anomaly, and multiple narrative-driven mobile games.

On the subject of submissions, Phylum Press is excited to announce ISSUE 05: DEVIL’S IVY! Devil’s Ivy, or more commonly known as Pothos, is a common houseplant and is native to China, the Indian Subcontinent, Australia, New Guinea, Southeast Asia, and various islands of the Pacific and Indian Oceans. Like writers and writing, this plant is hardy, makes the environment around them better, and can range from aesthetic winter house plants, or woody vines taking over a structure.

Also like writers, there are a massive variety of Pothos Plants (65 different species), and each has its own differentiation and identity.

At Phylum, the Pothos Plant represents hope. In this chaotic, violent world, little bits of light and happiness mean more than ever, and are hardier than they seem. For this Issue, we are looking for stories that are hopeful, scrappy, unassuming but powerful, and as tangled as the Devil’s Ivy.

We also wanted to remind everyone of our upcoming readings this month:

• On November 14th, join us for a reading and Q&A with Catherine Walker, Carole Giangrande, and Jim Johnstone!

• As well as November 30th, we are hosting Brit Griffin, David Giuliano, and Rosanna Micelotta for a reading + Q&A!

This past Sunday, November 2nd, Phylum’s own Gabriel and Max trekked out to Toronto to join the Meet the Presses Indie Lit Fair alongside several others of your favourite Canadian Presses. We met submitters, readers, and a ton of other literary fans, and got to see Jeremy Luke Hill receive this year’s bpNichol Chapbook Award! Thank you to Meet The Presses for having us!

And that’s all we have in our broadcast for this newsletter, folks! Once again, thank you for your support, for reading, and don’t forget to touch grass!

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I’ll admit, when I started reading, I wasn’t sold. Fade’s internal monologue sometimes felt too obvious, overly stating an already clearly implied point. Despite this reservation, by the end of the novel I had become aggressively attached to both Fade and her historian-nerd-friend, Nish. Nish, especially, charmed me with his intense love for the history of Nova Scotia’s witches, his energy, and his kindness towards Fade. Their friendship was the highlight of the book, even compared to the excellent atmosphere Penney concocted.

I look forward to what Penney writes next, whether that’s another book following Fade and Nish, or a separate world entirely.

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We’ve got a few things going on in the next month:

• Next Sunday, November 2nd, Phylum Press will be attending the Indie Lit Market! Find us there from 12pm to 4pm at 58 Cecil Street in Toronto.

• On November 14th, join us for a reading and Q&A with Catherine Walker, Carole Giangrande, and Jim Johnstone!

• As well as November 30th, we are hosting Brit Griffin, David Giuliano, and Rosanna Micelotta for a reading + Q&A!

All of our readings for the month of November will take place at the Open Gallery Room on 405 St. Paul Street, St. Catharines, Ontario. Thank you to the venue for hosting us this month!

We also want to note that we conclude our submission period for issue 4: Corkscrew Willow next Friday, October 31st. We are thrilled with the amount of submissions and cannot thank everyone enough for their contributions. If you’re interested in submitting, our guidelines can be found on our website phylumpress.ca or our instagram, phylumpress. This has been a huge year for us and we can’t wait to see what’s coming next!

Phylum Press is still actively seeking workshop ideas if anyone wishes to learn more about the craft of writing. Email us with your suggestions at phylumpress@gmail.com! Our next workshop is this Saturday, October 25th, from 12 pm to 1 pm.

That’s all we have for now folks. Stay tuned for whats to come from us!

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