Guidelines

Halcyon Days have uplifting poems and stories, images, and messages. It complements the phrase “Keep Calm.”

                  Keep Calm. Think Halcyon.

The reading schedule for the final issue (31) 

is July 20-Sept 20, 23.

IMPORTANT: If you have ever had work published in Halcyon Days before, you are required to show that fact in your bio. Otherwise, I will not consider your submission(s).

NOTE: The bold typeface are new guidelines

General—those required in all submissions

• Titles: Prefer 5 words or fewer with specific words (scarlet vs. red).
• Theme: relaxing, tranquil, uplifting, positive.
• Length: no minimum but it has to hold the reader’s attention.
• Margins: 1.5 inches so I can make editorial notes.
• POV: I prefer 3^rd person. 
• Deadlines: the 20th of March, June, September, and December.

Miscellaneous

• Publishing your work is allowed after I publish it in Halcyon Days but please credit Halcyon Days as the original publisher.
• I can't offer free copies--that's why it's online. Print editions are available, but they have to be purchased. I will offer jpg screenshots of your accepted submissions.
• I accept simultaneous submissions and reprints (please credit the magazine: Reprinted with permission of Halcyon Days if I publish it afterwards).
• Whether poems or stories, I prefer content that excites the five senses. 
• If your submission has a seasonal setting and it’s accepted, it will go into the relevant edition. A Valentine or Christmas based story would seem out of place in a June issue.

      o  Spring – March issue

         o   Summer – June issue

         o   Autumn – September issue

         o   Winter - December issue

Poetry  

• Send a maximum of five poems
• Length: no minimum, but it has to hold the reader’s attention
• 1.5 margins
• Style: I prefer punctuated poems and those where the first words are NOT all capitalized.
  But I will consider exceptions.
• Instills a sense of well-being and inspiration. It should be something that makes the reader want to dwell on what they read (see example tab).
• Prefer poems that move me. Meaning I like poems with verbs, not just nouns.
• Forms: All. For haiku, I prefer the traditional 5-7-5 structure.
• I may include up to five from the same author in the same issue.
• Think unstressed, peace, relax, dream. 
• Submit as a .doc/.docx or rtf attachment. If you can't, please enter it in the email's body.

Fiction 

• Length: Approximately 2,000 words
• Spacing and Margins:1.5
• Conveys characters that learn about themselves and others who see the glass half full. By the end of the story, they make a difference in the lives of others. Please include a 1-3 sentence (or 50 word) teaser for your piece in the email or submission.
• Submit as an attachment.
• Submit as a .doc/.docx or rtf attachment. If not, please enter it in the email body.

Non-fiction Articles 

• Length: no minimum
• Spacing and Margins: 1.5
• Includes topics that provide ways for the reader to relax, unwind, forgive, make a difference, inspire creativity, or discover locations. 
• If you are submitting an actual place where you had halcyon moments, please: 

          1) Submission must include the place (city/town, province). If you're writing about a hotel, campsite, lake, trail, cafe/tea room, please mention the name.   

          2) Nonfiction: stories up to three pages.
          3) Haikus follow the traditional 5-7-5 form. Make the title the place name. Send a max of five.
          4) Prefer one-page poems.   
          5) I will consider high quality photographs.
          6) Reprints allowed.

• Submit as a .doc/.docx or rtf attachment. If you can't, please enter it in the email's body.

Photos
Do you have an eye-catching photo? Please attach one or more photos in an email with your attribution. Also include what camera you used. Images must be at least 300dpi.

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Email your submissions to halcyondaysmagazine.ca@gmail.com

• In the subject line type “Final Submission(s): [poem, story, article, a haiku collection, photo, recipe, etc.]” Replace the text in brackets with the category.
• In the body include why you think your submission is a fit for Halcyon Days, your contact information, where you found the website, and if you know how to use the comments feature in Word.
• If accepted, I'll ask for a third-person bio, an optional photo, and an optional email address/social contact info for reader feedback (you can include it in your bio). 

Keep Calm. Think HALCYON.