Griffith REVIEW: Writers Guidelines

Writers’ guidelines (updated March 2012)

About Griffith REVIEW

Griffith REVIEW is written with intelligent, well-informed and curious readers in mind. The themed approach means that for each edition there is probably both a specialist and a general readership. Each article or essay should aim to provide new insights for the specialist and engage the general reader who has only a passing interest in or knowledge of the field.

Griffith REVIEW is designed to foster and inform public debate, to provide a bridge between the expertise of specialists and the curiosity of readers, to provide the space to explore issues at greater length and with more time for reflection than is possible under the relentless pressure of daily events and to provide the opportunity for established and emerging writers, thinkers and artists to tease out complexity and contradiction and propose new ways of thinking and seeing.

Each edition of Griffith REVIEW will explore a topical theme from a number of different points of view, with writing from a range of genres – reportage, essay, memoir, fiction and poetry. The range is deliberately wide and is designed to provide readers with a number of points of entry to the subject – the aim is to create an informed, respectful conversation in each edition.

The complexity of contemporary issues cannot be adequately illuminated by one form alone – the who, what, when, where, how and why of events is important but the feel for what they mean may be better understood when a novelist’s eye is applied, the cacophony of current activities better comprehended with the aid of an expert’s insight into competing theories or the rhetoric of public debate unpacked by detailed behind-the-scenes reportage, snapshots of revealing moments or reappraisals of events past. There is no place for technical or professional jargon, clichés or predictable viewpoints. As Griffith REVIEW looks and feels like a book, the writing should have a long shelf life and attempt to capture the spirit of the times. It should provoke, engage and challenge with memorable stories and insightful analysis.

Peer Review

Peer review is provided upon request for those essays submitted by academics who need such endorsement of their work for the Australia Research Council and other academic purposes. Peer review is conducted by Griffith REVIEW’s Editorial Board which comprises a group of standing members and an expert panel that supplements the core Board membership for the review of articles related to the panel member's field of expertise, in such specialist areas as history, political science, law, anthropology, sociology, international relations, environment and other areas as required. Potential contributors requiring peer review must submit this request to [email protected] at the time of submission of their article.

Tips on how to become a Griffith REVIEW writer

These are things to consider if you would like to write for Griffith REVIEW. Don’t be afraid to be provocative or express an opinion that is well-grounded and argued. Wit, humour, sharp details, memories and anecdotes will complement rigorously researched and reported essays and articles.

 Read each edition and get a feel for the types of articles, essays and stories we publish. Browse the website and get a feel for the debate and discussion that develops around each issue. You may wish to subscribe to our newsletter by emailing [email protected] or become a fan on our Facebook page.  Original, insightful, well-researched, thoughtful, vivid and engaging – these are some of the words that describe the writing we find most attractive.  Send your essay or story directly to us, or pitch a specific idea and approach, in terms of style and content. We are more interested in specific stories than general overview articles, we want the insightful detail and sharply observed experience, rather than a survey of the field.  Avoid technical, academic and professional jargon; the aim is to engage the widest possible audience. Do provide original research or reporting to support your ideas.  Most pieces will range between 2,500 and 5,000 words, some will be longer, but not everything needs to be long. The important thing to consider is that the substance justifies the length – don’t pad, but don’t worry if it seems you need more words.  Due to the increasing volume of submissions, we can not consider more than one submission per edition, so send your best work. Early submissions are encouraged.  We can not consider previously published work or simultaneous submissions unless prior arrangement has been made – please note this is only considered in exceptional circumstances.  Please respect our format guidelines: o Use 12pt Times New Roman font, 1.5 space o Margins should be no less than 2.5cm at top and bottom and 3.25cm at left and right o On the first page please include your name (Last Name, First Name), title of the piece, genre (Fiction, Essay, Memoir, Reportage, Poetry) and word count o Do not include subheadings; they do not suit our format o Include a short (50-100 word) biographical note at the end of your submission o Title pages are not necessary  When referencing or referring to books in your piece, please follow the Griffith REVIEW format, i.e.: Richard Holmes’ The Age of Wonder (HarperCollins, 2008), relates the fluid encounters between nineteenth century science and poetry.  Griffith REVIEW will not include footnotes in the book, only on the website. Authors are encouraged to identify sources within the body of the text. Where appropriate include a paragraph of notes on sources or references at the end.  You might like to consider Griffith REVIEW publishing an extract from your forthcoming book or novel – we are happy to consider extracts or essays that grow out of the research and writing process.  Details of the Griffith REVIEW Editorial Board and expert panel may be found at http://www.griffithreview.com/contact-us.html#editorialboard  The audience is primarily Australian, or those interested in this country – the tone is outward looking, not nationalistic, but not apologetic either.  We don’t publish a lot of poetry. Poets are encouraged to email an introduction with a sample of work.  If we accept your work for publication we will acquire the rights to it for three months. After three months the work will appear on our online archives. The copyright is yours, although any subsequent publication must acknowledge first publication in Griffith REVIEW.  A contract will be issued on acceptance and payment will be made by direct credit within 21 days of return of contract and submission of an invoice.  We have a limited contributor budget; rates will be negotiated directly with the author upon acceptance.  Watch the website for new themes.  Please send material directly to: [email protected]

Griffith REVIEW | South Bank Campus, Griffith University PO Box 3370, South Brisbane QLD | Australia 4101 Phone: +61 7 3735 3071 | Fax: +61 7 3735 3272 | www.griffithreview.com