What do Margaret Atwood, Rohinton Mistry and Eden Robinson have in common (aside from being some of Canada's most renowned writers)? They have all contributed to The Fiddlehead, the University of New Brunswick's (UNB) esteemed creative writing journal, which marks its 80th anniversary this year.
From its humble beginnings in the winter of 1945, The Fiddlehead has grown into one of the Canada's most highly regarded creative writing magazines. Its contributors are diverse, and its readership spans the globe.
"It started off as a mimeograph: a small, stapled-together kind of zine," said Dr. Sue Sinclair, associate professor of English at UNB and The Fiddlehead's current editor. "Although the word zine' wasn't a word back then, that's effectively what it was."
The Fiddlehead began with a group of passionate students and their mentor, Dr. Alfred Goldsworthy Bailey. Meeting at Dr. Bailey's home, the group became known as the Bliss Carman Society a creative writing group that laid the foundation for what would become a literary institution.
Ian LeTourneau, the current managing editor of The Fiddlehead, said the journal's first 16 or 17 issues were small and zine-like until it expanded to an international audience.
"They outgrew the small, grassroots-style journal they were," said LeTourneau. "They opened it up to the world."
This expansion was a significant milestone in The Fiddlehead's history. Under the leadership of Dr. Fred Cogswell, who became editor in 1953, the journal opened its pages to writers worldwide, transforming it from a local publication into an internationally recognized literary journal.
During Cogswell's editorship, the journal solidified its place on the UNB Fredericton campus. The Ice House (now McCord Hall) a small building that stored ice before electric refrigeration became the meeting spot for writers, both established and aspiring.
The "Ice House Gang," as Alden Nowlan called those who met there, became intertwined with The Fiddlehead insofar as many of the journal's editors and contributors frequented its meetings. It was once slated for demolition, but David McCord intervened, ensuring the building's preservation and ensuring its dedication as a space for creative writing. It remains a hub of creativity today.
Over the years, The Fiddlehead has published works by some of the most celebrated writers in Canada and beyond. Early contributors included Michael Ondaatje, David Adams Richards, Carol Shields and Alistair MacLeod.
"David Adams Richards used to hitchhike down to the Ice House for the group's literary meetings back in the '70s," said LeTourneau.
The journal has also featured artwork by renowned artists such as Bruno Bobak and Molly Bobak, a nod to its celebration of both literary and visual arts.
"The first 130 issues set the stage for all the visual and literary practices that continue to this day," said LeTourneau.
Some of New Brunswick's most remarkable artists established the legacy of The Fiddlehead's cover art.
"Lucy Jarvis and Marjory Donaldson were influential in establishing the journal's visual identity," said Sinclair. "It is significant that these two women were driving forces at a time when women weren't necessarily in such roles."
"A lot of the accomplishments become visible in retrospect," said Sinclair. "You might not think at the time that publishing a little-known writer named Eden Robinson is a big deal. Then you look back after a decade and realize that was a moment worth celebrating."
This sentiment underscores the journal's role in nurturing emerging writers and contributing to their success.
The Fiddlehead's editorial team is committed to maintaining the journal's high standards while embracing growth and change.
"It's important for a journal that's 80 years old to continue to be curious, flexible, and interested," said Sinclair.
"We'd always love to grow in subscribers and in voices," LeTourneau said. "It's about expanding and diversifying the range of perspectives and experiences represented in the journal."
The Fiddlehead receives thousands of submissions from writers worldwide.
To ensure that local voices are well-represented, The Fiddlehead has reserved one of its submission periods exclusively for Canadian writers.
"We keep a special eye out for works from Atlantic Canada," Sinclair said.
After 80 years in print, The Fiddlehead has established a reputation for literary and artistic excellence, building a vibrant creative community at UNB. Its influence endures with no signs of slowing down.
To mark its 80th anniversary, The Fiddlehead is hosting an exhibition at the Fredericton Public Library showcasing the artwork featured on its covers and pages throughout the years.
