Submission Guidelines
1. Please send all submissions to [email protected].
2. The subject line should read ‘[prose/poetry/drama/media form] Submission to Watermark’. File names of attachments should follow the format ‘title_medium_name’.
3. For text submissions, please submit your work in .doc / .docx format. For submissions that include images or videos, please submit your work as an attachment in the appropriate file format. Only email submissions will be entertained.
4. Submissions are limited to a maximum of two works per writer for each issue. Therefore, please submit only works that are representative of your writing and with which you are most satisfied.
5. Submissions should be accompanied by your name and age. We are only accepting works from writers who are 13-18 years old at the time of submission.
6. Upper word limit for prose submissions is 5000 words. We accept original prose and drama scripts. Prose submissions exceeding the word limit will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Sequential pieces will also only be considered only on a case-by-case basis. Sketches, vignettes, and other non-literary works must be accompanied by a write-up about the work. Editing will be focused on the write-up. Derivative fiction, such as fanfiction, will not be considered.
7. Upper line limit for poetry submissions is 25 lines. We accept original poetry regardless of form or genre. However, epic-length submissions, or any poetry submissions exceeding the line limit, are not encouraged and will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
8. We encourage responsibility for your work. While recognising the right to freedom of expression and the power of creative media in exploring controversial issues, we also demand that writers be accountable for their work, and aim to offer a safe space for readers and creators to the best of our ability. We will not accept any work that promotes hate or ignorance against members of cultural, racial, religious or other groups, inclusive of prejudice, cultural appropriation, or exoticism.
9. We request trigger warnings be included if they are applicable to your work. Authors write for audiences of diverse backgrounds and varying sensibilities. We are committed to maintaining a safe space for all our readers. If your content includes potentially uncomfortable or traumatic situations for readers, please specify the situation(s) such that readers can choose to avoid reading it.
10. Also please include a warning if your work contains any of the following: self-harm; character death, including suicide; abuse/assault; incest; sexual violence and reference to sexual scenes of dubious consent or non-consent; and anything else which you have reason to believe may trigger a post-traumatic response in a reader. Owing to the varying sensibilities of audience members, strong language should be restricted to the essential minimum and warned for. Works with explicit sexual content or graphic violence may be rejected. Works without a warning may have warnings added if the editors find it applicable.
11. The editors reserve the right to determine whether submitted works meet submission guidelines.
2. The subject line should read ‘[prose/poetry/drama/media form] Submission to Watermark’. File names of attachments should follow the format ‘title_medium_name’.
3. For text submissions, please submit your work in .doc / .docx format. For submissions that include images or videos, please submit your work as an attachment in the appropriate file format. Only email submissions will be entertained.
4. Submissions are limited to a maximum of two works per writer for each issue. Therefore, please submit only works that are representative of your writing and with which you are most satisfied.
5. Submissions should be accompanied by your name and age. We are only accepting works from writers who are 13-18 years old at the time of submission.
6. Upper word limit for prose submissions is 5000 words. We accept original prose and drama scripts. Prose submissions exceeding the word limit will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Sequential pieces will also only be considered only on a case-by-case basis. Sketches, vignettes, and other non-literary works must be accompanied by a write-up about the work. Editing will be focused on the write-up. Derivative fiction, such as fanfiction, will not be considered.
7. Upper line limit for poetry submissions is 25 lines. We accept original poetry regardless of form or genre. However, epic-length submissions, or any poetry submissions exceeding the line limit, are not encouraged and will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
8. We encourage responsibility for your work. While recognising the right to freedom of expression and the power of creative media in exploring controversial issues, we also demand that writers be accountable for their work, and aim to offer a safe space for readers and creators to the best of our ability. We will not accept any work that promotes hate or ignorance against members of cultural, racial, religious or other groups, inclusive of prejudice, cultural appropriation, or exoticism.
9. We request trigger warnings be included if they are applicable to your work. Authors write for audiences of diverse backgrounds and varying sensibilities. We are committed to maintaining a safe space for all our readers. If your content includes potentially uncomfortable or traumatic situations for readers, please specify the situation(s) such that readers can choose to avoid reading it.
10. Also please include a warning if your work contains any of the following: self-harm; character death, including suicide; abuse/assault; incest; sexual violence and reference to sexual scenes of dubious consent or non-consent; and anything else which you have reason to believe may trigger a post-traumatic response in a reader. Owing to the varying sensibilities of audience members, strong language should be restricted to the essential minimum and warned for. Works with explicit sexual content or graphic violence may be rejected. Works without a warning may have warnings added if the editors find it applicable.
11. The editors reserve the right to determine whether submitted works meet submission guidelines.