Submissions
(...MUST BE ASIA-RELATED!)
Articles
& Essays
Interviews & Profiles
Translations
Fiction
Poetry
Reviews
Graphics
Kyoto
Journal attracts an amazing diversity of unsolicited articles, essays,
reportage, personal observations, interviews, poetry, reviews, fiction,
humor, and translation (or various combinations of the above).
Fine illustrators, photographers, painters, printmakers, and calligraphers
also make their work available, giving KJ its very distinctive visual
identity.
While we do actively seek out specific material
for our special theme issues, unsolicited submissions are very welcome,
and are an essential part of our approach to assembling the magazine.
Since KJ is non-profit and all volunteer produced, our contributors
too are unpaid. As a token of our sincere appreciation, we
do provide a free one-year subscription to anyone whose work is published.
Format: Articles
/ essays / fiction / poetry / translation submissions should be sent
by e-mail (Microsoft Word file attachment is our preferred format, due
to its very useful Track Changes and embedded Comments functions –
please name files KJ[category]your surname month year.doc)....
If sending by "snail mail," please include an e-mail contact
address if possible. Please note that we do not return postal submissions.
Regarding
style and format etc, we have compiled a page of Guidelines
for Writing Articles for KJ, and a brief list of
KJ Style Conventions.
Response time: Since the
editors are all volunteers with day jobs and family commitments, there
may be some delay in our submissions process. If after submitting work,
you do not hear back from us within six weeks or so, please feel free
to send us a reminder.
If
you have something you'd like to share with our readers, please send
a proposal. We look forward to hearing from you.
ARTICLES
& ESSAYS
Essentially
we look for work that comes from the heart; that is original, creative,
sincere, and thought-provoking. Our masthead states "Perspectives from
Asia" – submissions must have some clear connection with Asia.
While
we respect academic research and depth of content, the approach should
be consistent with our non-specialist readership. In general, we look
for fresh personal insights, not superficial observations or perpetuation
of time-worn cliches. We are especially interested in local voices,
from all over Asia. We seek ideas that illuminate cultural differences
in a positive way, that promote intercultural understanding via specifics,
not generalities.
We believe strongly in brevity where possible,
but if a topic is of sufficient interest to carry readers' attention,
we do consider longer pieces. In our Encounters section
(Asia-related personal experiences), we aim for around
800 words, up to approximately 1,500 words maximum. Our usual length
for feature articles is less than 4,000 words. In special
cases we may consider up to 7,000 words.
The editors work closely with contributors
to develop the potential of initial submissions. We also look for links
and resonances between articles in each particular issue, so may hold
submissions pending emergence of a suitable context.
Managing
Editor, Ken Rodgers:
submissions['at']kyotojournal.org.
INTERVIEWS
& PROFILES
Interviews
have always been a vital part of KJ. We prefer direct Q &
A format, but also welcome profiles. We have posted some basic advice
on interviewing here.
Managing
Editor, Ken Rodgers:
submissions['at']kyotojournal.org.
TRANSLATIONS
In
our regular section called "In Translation,"
we seek to draw more attention to translation as a field that has been
– and remains – vital in developing cross-cultural awareness.
We also hope to give more exposure to the translators themselves, who
are of course essential to this process.
We
are very interested in in featuring more translations of work by Asian
writers. This does not mean only fiction or poetry. We'd also like to
publish more translations of worthwhile articles and essays. Most of
the stories we publish are shorter than 4,500 words, with the average
length being between 2,000 to 3,500 words.
To submit a translation, please send a proposal first by e-mail
Associate
Editor, Stewart Wachs:
editor['at']kyotojournal.org.
FICTION
Many of the same
conditions apply as stated above for articles & essays, such as
the need for a story to have clear Asian connections. This does not
mean that we seek imitations of established genres. We look for creativity,
unpredictability, and memorability; we are not interested in stereotypes
in characterization or cliches in plot. We look for clarity of expression,
and clarity of purpose. The reader should feel stimulated or even entranced
– and, essentially, in some way enriched by the content.
Regarding length,
4,000 words is an approximate upper limit; since space is always a consideration
there would be a much better chance of us fitting in a 3,000 word piece,
or shorter.
Generally speaking we prefer to publish new material. We may consider
a piece that has been previously published elsewhere, but this would
depend on the story itself, and how much exposure it received in its
original publication.
Fiction
Editor, Leza Lowitz:
fiction['at']kyotojournal.org.
POETRY:
Poetry
too must have a tangible connection with Asia. We specially
seek creative, original poems from Asian poets, either originally written
in English, or in translation.
In
the words of Robert Brady: "We do not seek words rooted in mere surface,
confusion, whimsy, or bursts of ego, where the least of living happens,
but poetry that holds up to time’s intelligent eye, that serves
not the poet, but the spirit. Your spirit, and the hungry spirit 2000
years from now if we survive, as Li Po feeds us now, in another age,
country, world from his own."
Please
limit initial submissions to three poems, sending them as MS Word attachments,
naming the file KJ poetry[your surname]month year.doc (e.g. KJpoetryXxxxxMar08.doc)
REVIEWS
Traditionally,
the roles of a reviewer and a critic have been defined separately. The
purpose of a review is to objectively introduce and evaluate a publication
for the benefit of readers who might find it of interest. Criticism
is a kind of commentary that assumes that the reader already knows the
subject that is being discussed. The critic displays his/her erudition,
with more value placed on creative synthesis of ideas.
For the KJ reviews section we welcome a blending of both approaches,
but prefer that the criticism doesn’t get too literary, artsy,
or academic. (It should not read like a high school Eng. Lit. essay
that tries to analyze or explain the author’s intentions). The
review should be judged ultimately by its value to our readers, as in
“access to [intellectual] tools.” Thus we prefer that reviews
be short and informative. We also recommend that they include quotes
or short extracts (if practicable) to give readers an immediate grasp
of style and content. And it is essential that a review should be thought-provoking
in its own right.
A good reviewer assesses the subject and provides a clear context for
its consideration and appreciation. While we prefer to run positive
reviews, constructive criticism is also worthwhile. However, if a reviewer
has nothing good to say about a particular publication, they are likely
wasting their own energy, and the readers’ time. We can make better
use of our page space.
Selection of material to be reviewed, then, depends a lot on its immediacy
of interest. We look for fresh ideas, and the quality of their presentation.
We publish the following three types of reviews:
Feature Reviews (up to 2,000 words max),
Short Takes (500 words at max, usually much less),
and
Long Views, covering worthwhile material that has long
been available (it may even be out of print).
Reviews may cover books, movies, CDs, anime, websites – virtually
any media with an Asian connection. Often reviews are selected to tie
in with a feature article or the theme of a particular issue.
The diversity of interests among our reviewers is of great benefit in
extending the magazine's diversity of outlook. We strongly encourage
reviewers themselves to look out for suitable material. They may also
be aware of upcoming publications in their field and request that KJ
orders them from the publisher. (Reviewers get to keep the books they
review…)
Please send a proposal
before actually writing a review for KJ, to ensure that we are interested,
and to avoid possible duplication of effort.
Reviews
Editor, Deidre May:
review['at']kyotojournal.org
GRAPHIC MATERIAL
We
welcome original and creative images, whether in traditional or "new"
media. Duotone printing may be used for fine photographic work, and
we have some full-color options. Design often incorporates different
papers in separate sections of the magazine.
FORMAT:
We accept photographic work on 35mm or larger color transparency,
black and white prints, or high resolution scan (send on either a CD
or MO). If the graphic is of a delicate historical nature or a
valuable personal possession we suggest color xerox (most such copiers
these days do amazing work). Please do not send original slides,
photos, or other irreplaceable artwork etc. KJ will not be held
responsible for the loss of any submitted materials.
Proposals
by e-mail are welcome.
Art
Director, John Einarsen: colorado['at']jade.plala.or.jp
