The Malahat Review was established in 1967 by University of Victoria English professors Robin Skelton and John Peter. Thereafter, editors have included Constance Rooke, Derk Wynand, and Marlene Cookshaw. John Barton is the current editor (as of January, 2004).

Malahat originally bore the subtitle “An International Magazine of Life and Letters,” reflecting the founding editors’ background in European literature and connections in the international literary community. Under succeeding editors and in step with the growing of a truly national literature, the journal became more strongly Canadian, with a focus on Canadian and international fiction and poetry rather than belles lettres and critical work.

Prizes and Awards

For more than two decades The Malahat Review has been the recipient of numerous commendations of excellence. The Western Magazine Award Foundation has declared it Magazine of the Year (or a finalist for that award) eight times. In the last five years alone, seventeen Malahat authors have featured in the National Magazine Foundation’s roster of finalists, taking home five gold and four silver awards. At the 2009 National Magazine Awards, Malahat authors won gold and silver in poetry and one honourable mention in fiction.

Stories by Malahat writers have won the M&S Journey Prize six times. In 2000 Malahat received international attention when Novella Prize winner “The Deep,” by Mary Swan, was awarded the prestigious O. Henry Prize for the best short fiction published in an American journal.

Editorial Vision

The Malahat Review is dedicated to excellence in writing. Its aim is to discover the most promising of the new writers and publish their work alongside the best established writers, to present work accurately and attractively to readers, and to increase awareness of Canadian writing in general through perceptive critical comment.

The vision for the journal is determined by the Editor, while submissions are selected by the Editor and the Editorial Board. An advisory board, composed of members drawn from the Victoria writing and academic communities, supports and oversees the magazine in the fulfillment of its editorial mandate.