THEME
Tenebrae
Tenebrae, the Latin word for “shadows,” explores the darker sides of the mind, and what we do when we are surrounded by gloom. Darkness can be a time of growth, transformation and expectation, and the way it transforms us depends on how we exist in it. Tenebrae draws upon the dark night of the soul, the warm, close, darkness of the womb and tomb, and the struggle to find meaning in the midst of depression. Yet, tenebrae also evokes the hope of light, like the pinprick of a star through the night. Darkness is an absence of light, and in the darkness, we are often searching for something we lack. What gives us hope?
This year, [spaces] asks contributors to consider the question: What happens in the darkness before the dawn?
Please keep submissions under 1200 words.
Submission Guidelines:
Submissions are open for our 2025-2026 academic year until November 8th at midnight.
[spaces] accepts fiction, creative non-fiction, poetry, prose, photos, and artwork by current students and alumni of Trinity Western University. All submissions are subject to an anonymous reading by a vetting panel, with the exception of works submitted by featured guests. Guest contributors are invited through consultation with advisors/and the spaces board. [spaces] does not return manuscripts.
Literary works are accepted on the condition that students attend a revision workshop and should expect to make further changes to their work. This aspect of the process is in keeping with our vision to nurture emerging writers, and to publish the very best (revised) draft of the student’s work.
Upon publication, copyright remains with the writer or artist, but [spaces] asks that should the piece be published elsewhere, first publication by [spaces] will be noted. No part of this journal may be reproduced without the explicit consent of the editors and writer(s) or artist(s).
Submissions to [spaces] must be original works never before published and not simultaneously submitted to any other literary publication.
In years where we have an experienced translator, we can accept submissions in other languages! If chosen, the piece will be published in the original language, and the translation.
We do not accept artwork, poetry, or prose that has been generated by AI and any AI generated work will be removed from the vetting process.
Please email any questions, comments, or concerns to spaces.literaryjournal@gmail.com
Please send submissions to spaces.literaryjournal@gmail.com.