The Walrus launched in September of 2003 with a straightforward mandate: to be a national general interest magazine about Canada and its place in the world. We are committed to publishing the best work by the best writers from Canada and elsewhere on a wide range of topics for readers who are curious about the world. The Walrus is published by a registered non-profit charitable foundation.
If you are a writer interested in contributing to The Walrus, please see our writer’s guidelines and read the print version of the magazine. Aspiring editors and art directors should have a look at our internship program; advertisers can find out about dates and rates on our advertising page. We hope you’ll enjoy The Walrus; let us know what you think.
Please consider becoming a supporter of The Walrus Foundation, the charitable non-profit organization that publishes The Walrus and presents other important educational initiatives. Sign up to our free e-newsletter. And, if you haven’t already, become a subscriber — the best rates are right here at walrusmagazine.com. Save time, save trees, save money, and subscribe online.
Sincerely,
The Editors and Staff
Why “The Walrus”?
When The Walrus began its development, its founders wanted to create a smart, distinctly Canadian general interest magazine. They also wanted to dissociate this country with the “log chomping” and “earnestness” of our national animal (and cliché), the beaver.
Enter the tusked mammal — an arctic icon they viewed as curmudgeonly but clever, bulky but agile (if only in water). It was an eccentric but sensical choice, they thought — the perfect namesake for a publication with enough intellectual heft, confidence, and wit to dig deeply into matters vital to Canadians.
Like its animal counterpart, which swims with unexpected grace, The Walrus thrives in its niche environment. It is Canada’s best, most awarded magazine — the industry’s elegant heavyweight. The Walrus brings Canadians stories that are engaging, important and original; in doing so, it is proving itself the “fun beast” of its founders’ vision.
arts and culture
Marianne Ackerman, Julia Dault, Wendy Dennis, Charles Foran, Alexander Gelfand, Don Gillmor, David Gilmour, Adam Gopnik, Pico Iyer, Marni Jackson, Pasha Malla, John Bentley Mays, Hal Niedzviecki, Adam Sternbergh, Timothy Taylor, Clive Thompson
design
Bruce Mau, James Victore
fiction and poetry
Margaret Atwood, Randy Boyagoda, Joseph Boyden, Dionne Brand, Leonard Cohen, Douglas Coupland, Helen Humphreys, Wayne Johnston, Lisa Moore, Miriam Toews, Jane Urquhart, Guy Vanderhaeghe, Michael Winter
fine art
Shary Boyle, Damien Hirst
illustration
Monika Aichele, Marian Bantjes, Guy Billout, Ronald J. Cala, Seymour Chwast, Thomas Fuchs, Jason Logan, Bruce McCall, Gary Panter, Graham Roumieu, Seth, Leanne Shapton, Yuko Shimizu, Tamara Shopsin, Joost Swarte, Jillian Tamaki, Gary Taxali, Team Macho, Sam Weber, Balint Zsako
photography
Edward Burtynsky, Rita Leistner, Eamon Mac Mahon, Louie Palu, Lana Šleziç, Larry Towell, Christopher Wahl, Donald Weber
politics and society
Michael Adams, Joan Bryden, Deborah Campbell, Gwynne Dyer, Ron Graham, Allan Gregg, Mark Kingwell, J.B. MacKinnon, Roger Martin, Susan McClelland, Marci McDonald, Jeremy Rifkin, Chris Turner, Chris Wood, John Vaillant
“The country does need a high-quality magazine that talks up to
its readers, and which brings humour, anger, and real passion to Canadian
public debate.”
Michael Ignatieff, leader, Liberal Party of Canada
“A magazine such as The Walrus promises
to be the missing link in the cultural and intellectual life of this country.”
Anne Collins, executive editor, Random House of
Canada
“My god, a critical discussion of intelligent issues! What will
these Canadians think of next?”
Clayton Ruby, lawyer
“The Walrus is one of the
most intelligent magazines to have entered the Canadian scene in some time.
It has shown great courage; its standards are high and its success noteworthy.
I would ask that you give generously to ensure the survival of this very
important publication. The Canadian literary landscape will be better for
it.”
Margaret Atwood, author, winner of the Booker Prize
“The Walrus is one of the
best things that has happened in Canada. It’s very rare, an outfit
like this, informed by integrity, vision, and dedication. Please help The
Walrus survive. We need it.”
Leonard Cohen, poet, singer/songwriter, and author
“Intelligent, long-form journalism that encourages thoughtful debate
is not — as you have likely noticed — easy to come by in this
era of sound bites, tabloids and ‘journalism’ designed to sell
us goods and gossip. Then there is The
Walrus — a sophisticated magazine with a mandate to engage
Canadians in issues of national importance.”
Pamela Wallin, journalist, broadcaster, and diplomat
“What is a country without conversations, and stories to tell? How
do we remember the past, think about the future without an examination
of where we are today? The Walrus brings
us together, each turn of page is a new opportunity to discover, explore,
and learn more about our home and native land: I am The
Walrus. We are The Walrus.
Canada is The Walrus.”
Frank McKenna, deputy chairman of Toronto-Dominion
Bank, former politician and diplomat
