Cosmic Cranium Press delivers electrifying literature to audiences craving razor-sharp books. Cultural distortion is the thing—the Press honors a tradition that traces its roots from the Dadaists, the Surrealists, Situationists, Beatniks, Hippies & Punk Rockers. Specifically, we are looking for garage-punk solutions to problems most don’t know exist. The Press is also interested in smart, well-researched ideas that linger on the societal brink, as well as writing that dazzles weirdly. With these concepts in mind, Cosmic Cranium Press aims to reinvigorate reading, one book at a time.

CANADA IS NOT THE 51st STATE BOOK OF ESSAYS

DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSONS of ESSAY DRAFT HAS BEEN EXTENDED TO MAY 7th, 2025

Cosmic Cranium Press is curating a book of essays that demonstrate Canada is its own unique nation, and that it will absolutely NOT become the 51st state - not now, not ever.

We are looking for a diverse set of voices: Seniors, Indigenous writers, people who have come to Canada as refugees, LGBTQIA+ authors, general labourers, tradespeople, professionals - plus all the Canadian voices we've unintentionally left out.

The guidelines are simple:

1) In a 12-20 page essay, tell readers why US President Donald Trump's taunt about making Canada the 51st state is a non-starter.

2) Include a reasoned argument.

3) Your Canadian point of view matters, as does your personal, Canadian, story. Connect them to your argument.

4) Avoid ranting.

5) Check your facts. Find multiple reliable sources for them. This book is the opposite of the tech-bro, bot-run online cesspool where the loudest (best funded) interests too often have their lies accepted as fact.

Time is of the essence. Trump is not going to wait and neither are we. We are going to take a stand right now; essay drafts need to be turned in by May 7th, 2025 to be considered.  

This is a royalties-based, paid gig. We will edit the papers & hand them back for revisions by June 1st , 2025 with a goal of having completed drafts by July 15, 2025. With luck, the book should be up for sale by fall, 2025.

Please follow these writing style guidelines:

1. Use Canadian spellings, e.g.: "colour", "honour", "cheque", etc.
2. Essays should use 12-point, Times New Roman font.
3. Essays need to be turned in on a Word document and sent as an attachment to: submissions@cosmiccraniumpress.com
4. Use the header 'Not 51 - essay draft' when sending your email.

Submissions that do not follow these guidelines will not be considered.