Deadline: 31 January 2011
Mandala Journal seeks submissions of original poetry, fiction, nonfiction, and art for the 2011 issue, "Reconciliation."
Mandala Journal is an online, student-run multicultural journal for poets, writers, artists, and thinkers published by the Institute for African American Studies at The University of Georgia. Since the online launch in April 2010, the journal's audience has grown to include readers in fifty-six countries and territories around the world.
Please note that due to weather issues earlier this month, the submissions deadline has been extended to January 31, 2011.
Please follow our guidelines below carefully. We only accept submissions that are relevant to the theme, follow the guidelines, and are emailed during the open submissions period to mandala.journal@gmail.com.
2011 Theme: Reconciliation
Definitions:
1. Making an effort to accept the past while understanding that it does not define us.
2. Choosing to accept one another and to coexist despite history and its pain.
3. The reunion of elements that were never meant to be separated.
Questions:
* Does reconciliation involve forgetting the past?
* Is reconciliation possible without loss?
* In order to reconcile with others, must we first reconcile with ourselves?
* Is reconciliation a daily task?
* How does reconciliation shape the future?
* What role does/can storytelling play?
Frames of Reference:
For me, forgiveness and compassion are always linked: how do we hold people accountable for wrongdoing and yet at the same time remain in touch with their humanity enough to believe in their capacity to be transformed?
—bell hooks
My humanity is bound up in yours, for we can only be human together.
—Archbishop Desmond Tutu
Submission Guidelines
Simultaneous submissions are welcome with immediate notification of acceptance elsewhere. No previously published work, please. Note that we only accept one submission per author per genre during each reading period.
Cover Letter
In the body of your email, please include contact information and a short bio. Also include your attachment's name. We are unable to open attachments that are not specified clearly in your cover letter.
Poetry
Submit 3-5 poems as a single attachment formatted for MS Word (.doc) or .rtf. Your email subject line must follow this convention: ‘Poetry Submission: YOUR NAME’ (for example, 'Poetry Submission: Amiri Baraka'). Include contact information in the attachment.
Fiction
Submit manuscripts that are double-spaced, right margins not justified, and 7000 words maximum as an attachment formatted for MS Word (.doc) or .rtf. Your email subject line must follow this convention: ‘Fiction Submission: YOUR NAME’ (for example, 'Fiction Submission: Nella Larsen’). Include contact information in the attachment.
Nonfiction
Submit manuscripts that are double-spaced, right margins not justified, 7,000 words maximum as an attachment formatted for MS Word (.doc) or .rtf. Your email subject line must follow this convention: ‘Nonfiction Submission: YOUR NAME’ (for example, 'Nonfiction Submission: James Baldwin’). Include contact information in the attachment.
Art
Submit images formatted as .jpg. Your email subject line must follow this convention: ‘Art Submission: YOUR NAME’ (for example, ‘Art Submission: Kara Walker). Include contact information in the attachment.
It bears repeating: Please follow our guidelines carefully. We only accept submissions that are relevant to the theme, follow the guidelines, and are emailed during the open submissions period to mandala.journal@gmail.com.