About

Toronto Journal is a writing journal in print and sound. We publish two issues per year in the summer and the winter.

Why does this journal exist? 

Toronto Journal has two foundational goals: to dig up forgotten history, and to publish great stories. In each issue you will find:

  1. History Feature: exploring some forgotten aspect of Canadian history
  2. Stories from the City: non-fiction set in and around the Greater Toronto Area
  3. Fiction: short stories from anywhere in the world
  4. Time Capsule: a publication or image from the past that ties back to the History Feature

How is it different from other journals? 

Two key things set us apart: anonymous submissions and the “sound” bit. 

We are firm believers that writing should speak for itself. Once a story is written, it exists outside of the author. Yet the typical literary journal submission process requires a cover letter and an overview of the author’s previous writing experience – a process we have always questioned. We aren’t looking for your credentials. All submissions to Toronto Journal are anonymous. 

As you may have gathered from our tagline, Toronto Journal is also published in audio format. Why? We want to tell stories. This isn’t anything new. It’s something that goes back a long way. The first ever stories were spoken – they captivated people around the fire and in the marketplace. The first stories we each hear in our own lives are much the same – they are stories that we hear. Everyone who loves stories first learned to love them in the same way: by listening to them told. It’s one of the oldest and greatest traditions there is and we want to be a part of it. Check out the audio version of each issue by looking up Toronto Journal, wherever you get your podcasts.

Where can I find the journal?

All issues can be purchased on our website, and the current issue can be purchased at bookstores across Canada. See the full list here.

The audio version of all issues can be found wherever you get your podcasts:

Masthead – Issue 8

Editors

Brigid Cami & Anthony Salvalaggio

Volunteer Readers

Jonathan Balazs | Rachel Chen | Gian Carlo Bello Delgado | Emily Hand
O. Hunt | Sarah Loegering | James Mahoney | Janet Myers
Madison Palmer | Sahana Radhaharan | Karen Robertson | Penny Ross
Naseema Tasneem | Sebastian Villate

Audio Narrators

Rebecca Burton | Brigid Cami | Drini Cami | Lila Flavin
Naomi Racz | Eric Rausch | Anthony Salvalaggio | Erica Salvalaggio
Glenna Turnbull | Karlis Wilde

Stories Illustrated By

Heon

Cover Art By

Ana Sofia Garcia

Web & Graphics

Brigid Cami

About our story illustrator: Heon

I’m an illustrator based in Toronto. I decode the world and its stories through my own lens, then rebuild their essence into an encoded visual language. I often work with lines and a limited palette, through intentional restraint to let each element speak with purpose. Through my illustrations, I hope to spark curiosity, offer delight, and bring quiet comfort to those who see them.
Instagram: heon_artstudio
Email: heonyangdesign@gmail.com

About our cover artist: Ana Sofia Garcia

Hello! I’m Ana, a Mexican creative based in Toronto. I like to follow ideas wherever they go, moving between digital, cartoons, watercolour, pastels, and whatever feels right that day. I try to see the world with curious eyes, knowing inspiration can come from big things, but also from the small details we don’t always take time to notice. For me, making art is about the process, where learning and growth happen, even if the result isn’t always a masterpiece. I hope my work inspires others to create something too. If you’d like to connect, you can reach me at ana.sofgv@gmail.com.