Am I still eligible for the contest if my submission does not follow the theme of memory?
Unfortunately, no. We require all submissions for the Contest and for the General Submission to respond in some way to the theme of “Memory.”
Can I submit my work if I’m not a Capilano University student?
Absolutely! While the Contest only applies to current students, we accept all writing and art that adheres to the theme in our General Submissions category.
Are there any costs associated with submitting?
The submissions for both the contest and the general submissions are free. In addition, if you are selected as a winner of the Contest, you receive the $250 prize.
What are the deadlines for submitting?
Submissions for the contest are now closed. Thank you to all who submitted. The finalists and winners will be announced in early 2027.
We’re still accepting General submissions until November 15th, 11:59 PM, 2026.
What are the guidelines for submitting written works?
We accept written submissions to a maximum of 2500 words or eight (8) pages — whichever comes first. Writing includes all kinds of prose and/or poetry: multi-genre works, literary essays, creative non-fiction, personal essays, memoirs & travelogues, short stories & genre-based fiction, creative journalism, scripts & monologues, and cross-genre poems, among others.
What are the guidelines for submitting visual art?
For the Visual Art category, we accept photography, traditional artworks, digital artworks, sculpture or 3D works submitted as a photograph, and multimedia design with no or very minimal writing. If selected as a finalist, you will have the opportunity to submit an Artist Statement of up to 250 words, but it is not mandatory. Please ensure that your work has a minimum of 300dpi or vector, and the entire piece should be able to fit on to a 8.5” x 11” page.
I’m confused about the Multi-Disciplinary category. How do I know if my submission fits? Where do I submit?
The Multi-Disciplinary category is meant for those submissions that consist of both writing and art in equal amounts or weight. The writing and art must be linked in some way. For example, you cannot submit a poem and an unrelated artwork, nor can you submit a 2500-word non-fiction memoir with one image attached in the body of the text. Both the text and the art must accompany each other and speak to each other in a way where, if either element was missing, the collective work loses some substantive value.
If this is confusing, don’t worry! Submit to whichever category feels right for your piece. If we think it suits another category more, we will move it to the category where we think your submission has the best chance of winning. Don’t let this stop you from submitting.
What if my piece has been published before? Can I still submit it to The LIAR?
For written works, no. The LIAR only accepts writing submissions that have not previously appeared in print elsewhere. However, if it is a submission for our Visual Arts category, please refer to the guidelines.
Can I apply for the General Submission if I live outside of the North Shore/BC/Canada?
Yes. The General Submission category is open to all writers and artists who feel they have a connection to Capilano University.
I don’t see my question here and I’m still confused. What do I do?
Email us at theliarcollective@gmail.com and we will respond to your query within 48 hours. For updates, follow us on Instagram at @theliarzine.
The LIAR respectfully acknowledges that we publish on the unceded territories of the səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish) and xʷməθkʷəỷəm (Musqueam) Nations.