Currently, we are open to submissions from all VCU undergraduate students, regardless of their major.
Pwatem accepts submissions on a rolling basis throughout the year and we encourage writers and artists to submit their works multiple times. We do not require cover letters and there is no fee for submissions.
submit your 2024-2025 art and literary submissions here!
Writing Requirements
Pwatem accepts a variety of creative works, including fiction, non-fiction, scripts, plays, and all forms of poetry. We welcome submissions in all styles and genres. Typically, we publish pieces that are no longer than 3500 words. To submit your work, please attach your entire submission as one file (if submitting multiple poems, please include them in one file). Format your submission in Times New Roman, 12-point font, and include your name in the body of the file name.
ex. [Submission Title] _ [Your Name]
In addition to our print publications, we accept submissions for short fiction, creative non-fiction, academic non-fiction, and any form of literature to be published on our website. Contributors whose works are published on our website will have the opportunity to include direct links to their personal social media platforms.
Art Requirements
Pwatem accepts a wide range of media, including but not limited to sculpture, photography, paintings, prints, illustrations, graphic arts, and comic art. To submit your work, please include the title of the piece and your name in the body of the file name. Attach an individual high-resolution, well-documented image of the work in .png file format. You may also include a link to an online portfolio in the submission email.
We do not accept AI generated art
We also welcome submissions of film, musical recordings, spoken word, and kinetic imagery for website publication as well.
Editing Process
All submissions are reviewed by our full staff in the order in which they are received. Our staff consists of undergraduate students from various majors, so please allow 3-6 weeks for our response. For written pieces, our editors may propose edits and work closely with the writer to develop the piece. Ultimately, the writer will make the final decision on what changes will or will not be made. This process typically takes 3-4 weeks. For pieces that are accepted for our website, please allow at least 2-4 weeks for publication.
Can the art piece be anything including photography?
Yes, we get photography submissions all the time!
Does this piece of fiction have to be completed? What if its like the first chapter of a longer story?
Yes! That’s fine! You can also elaborate within your artists/writer statement that it is the first chapter of a longer story. I would just be mindful and think critically about whether the chapter holds up on its own versus as a part of a longer story! Also, please keep in mind that the word limit for our submissions is 3500. Excited for your submission! 🙂