THE VERMIN


The Vermin is a new critical magazine based in Toronto, Ontario platforming the subversive and expository. We feature short and long-form writing in both non-fiction and fiction, criticism, and visual arts.



THE VERMIN


The Vermin is a new critical magazine based in Toronto, Ontario platforming the subversive and expository.

CALL FOR PITCHES + SUBMISSIONS
Issue 02: Against Pleasure



We are BACK for a second issue of The Vermin and we’re looking for pitches and submissions to explore the theme “Against Pleasure.” 

The negation of pleasure – not exclusive to pain but ranging from suffering to even the banal  – carves and erects a complex space unto itself.  Mainstream explorations of that space have been limited at the extremity of two poles. Against the backdrop of our feel-good pleasure-centric political and cultural terrain in the capitalist hubs of the Global North, the negation of pleasure has been entirely neglected. Conversely, political discourse can sometimes overly centre suffering, fostering a self-defeating feedback loop of nihilism. As theorist Ali Shari’ati once said, for colonized subjects, we must “look at our pain intellectually” and “to act.” Conclusively, Against Pleasure is an invitation for political questioning.

We are inviting work that examines and immerses wholly in the neglected space that is the negation of pleasure. Whatever that may look like, we hope it’s world destroying.

As always, The Vermin is an anti-capitalist multi-genre (and anti-genre) publication, and we invite a plethora of interpretations of the theme. Past submissions have ranged from art criticism, political essays, short stories, poetry, photography, illustration, and sculpture.

Submission Guidelines:


  • All submissions and pitches must be sent to theverminmag@gmail.com with the subject: “submission to Issue 2” or “pitch to Issue 2.” The email should include the title of the work(s), your name, where you are based, and a short bio. If you request to remain anonymous, please let us know.
  • If you are submitting a pitch, please let us know when you expect to complete the work. We are hoping for a 1-month turnaround time once the piece has been approved. 
  • Files should be saved under your last name, and the title of work: for example, “LASTNAME_ TitleOfWork” 
  • Submissions for images and artwork should be saved by number, (e.g., LASTNAME_title1, LASTNAME_title2, etc.) 
  • Submissions must be original and unpublished work.

Compensation: 


The Vermin is a volunteer-run, donation-funded publication. Based on the slashing of grant funding for artists, we are unable to compensate our artists and writers to the full extent of their labour. However, with some crowdfunding efforts, we will be offering $60 honorariums to each contributor. 

Deadline:


11:59pm EST, May 10, 2024.

For Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about Submissions, look here. 
© The Vermin Magazine