How to pitch your personal essay to Canada 2017

You don't have to be a professional writer to tell an amazing story.

As the countrymarks 150 years since Confederation, we at Canada 2017 want to hear new and surprising stories about Canada from the people who live them everyday.

Can you take us to a time and place where your notion of Canada shifted? Or to a corner of this vast country that most have never seen? Can youbusta clich, make us laugh, give us pauseor tell us something we've never heard before?

Our team iscommissioningpersonal essaysrooted infirst-person storytelling personal experiences that springboard into larger ideas and visions of what the country could be.

Our call-out isopen to the general public. You don't have to be a published writer, just a generous raconteur willing to work with one of our editors. We are accepting pitches all year.

Here are 5questions we will ask when considering personal essays:

1. Is the writer sharing a personal point of view about contemporary Canada, rooted in a perspective-shifting experience?
2. Is this a surprising story? Or aperspective that is not often heard from?
3. Does it challenge stereotypes about Canada or Canadian identity?
4. Why does it matter that this story takes place in Canada?
5. Does the essay present a vision for what the country could be?

If you have a story that fits all or most of these criteria, send an email to2017@CBC.ca with the subject line Personal Essay followed by a working headline.

Please include ashort pitch (no more than 250 words)as plain text in the body of your message, as well as your full name and current location.

Please note: weare interestedoriginal writing. Previously published work will not be considered.

• Sample essay:Why I stayed in Iqaluit after moving there by accident

Response time willdependon the volume of submissions, but we will let you know when yourpitch has been received and follow up with next steps if we are interested in commissioning your piece.

Need an idea? Interview yourself!

Here are a few questions that just might lead youto that great yarn. Think of a personal experience that answers the questionand run your answer through our five questions above.

• When was a time in your life you felt most proud to be Canadian? Conversely, when has Canada most disappointed you?

• Do you have an odd, uncommon or evenunpopularreaction to a Canadian icon or symbol? Conversely, doyou know a person, place or event that should be a new Canadian icon or symbol?

• Can you think of a personal relationshipthat changed your view of Canada? Why did itaffectyou so deeply?

• Can you think of a Canadian moment that sparked a strong reaction in you? (Think: tears, shock, uncontrollable laughter.)

• Think of your very best crowd-pleasing story. Can you file it under"only in Canada"?

• Has a trip or move within or outside Canada given you new perspective on the country?

• What is your most prized Canadianpossession? Was does it symbolize for you?

• When explaining Canada to non-Canadians, what do you tend to oversimplify? Why is that?

• Have you ever experienced something strange or surreal (dare we saysupernatural) in Canada?

• How do you think about your Canadian identity? Do you take it for granted? Appreciate it deeply? Struggle with it? Why?

Answer bravely and honestly, and you will be on your way. The email again: 2017@CBC.ca

Lead photo by GavinSchaefer/Flickr/CC