Choosing a format?
The Engage for Change Journal is currently accepting submissions for its next issue, “Mental Health and Well-Being: Justice for All.” If you’re considering writing for the Engage for Change Journal, you may have found that the most difficult part of the writing process can be deciding on what kind of piece you’d like to write. This blog series looks to provide insight and inspiration to you as you navigate your wonderful ideas and place them on the page.
Creative Pieces
Think of the most recent piece of writing you’ve read; odds are, it was creative in some way, whether that be in structure or in content. These pieces are often the most memorable ways we express ourselves, as they pack a certain punch that can only be achieved through the lens of unique expression that other forms of writing simply do not offer. Writing a creative piece allows you to express your emotions, perspective, and feelings regarding mental health in a way that is wholly specific to your interpretation of the topic. So what are your options if you opt to create a piece of this type?
Poetry
Poems are a wonderful avenue of expression, as they offer you the ability to develop and express your thoughts through a non-linear lens. You can include elements of figurative language and literary devices to develop your points. There is an incredible freedom available when writing poetry, as there is no specific format or structure one must follow; it is simply about putting your thoughts onto the page as you see fit. Of course, for the upcoming issue, the themes must center around mental health, but there are countless ways you can explore that topic through poetry.
Visual Art
Your creations don’t have to be limited to the page! If you create visual media, be that sculptures, digital art, drawings, paintings, etc., we highly encourage you to consider submitting your work. Your interpretation of mental health can take many different forms, and we at the Engage for Change Journal welcome all forms of expression. If you have a talent for art or have already created a project that deals with mental health, this is the perfect place for you to submit your work for publication!
Short Stories
While these are longer in length, short stories allow you to provide your audience with a narrative experience – whether that be fictional or real. Perhaps you have an idea surrounding a fictional person and their journey with therapy, or a creative expression of what it’s like to have an anxiety attack. Ultimately, the options are endless as you explore the many ways you can develop your ideas in your own individual style and voice.
Videos/Short Films
Are you an inspiring filmmaker? Do you have ideas that surpass the constraints of the page? Then, creating a video is the perfect avenue for you. There are countless ways to address concerns and ideas around mental health through the lens of the camera, and the Engage for Change Journal team would gladly work with you during the entire process. Develop your script, put together your crew, and submit the wonderful work you create!
Guidelines
Each submission type comes with its own formatting guidelines. Scripts, poems, and short stories are limited to 10 pages (20 double-spaced). Videos must fit within a window of three minutes, while short films may be a maximum of five minutes. For more information about formatting and expectations for creative pieces, visit this link.
Perspective Pieces
If you feel you have personal experience relating to mental health, regardless of the circumstance, then a perspective piece may be for you. These types of articles focus on sharing stories unique to your own life, specifically analyzing how events, situations, and other elements of mental health may have impacted and/or affected you. Perspective pieces are similar to short stories in that they often have a narrative structure, making them easier to construct as you retell experiences as they unfolded. Such stories may include political, social, or historical contexts that are relevant to the message you are conveying; however, the theme and focus of your submission should always be on mental health.
Examples
The experiences available to be recounted are ultimately limitless, as any event or important moment in a person’s life can be tied to their relationship with their own or others’ mental health. That being said, some available topics could be the retelling of one’s journey of receiving a diagnosis and how their life changed following that, what life is like living with mental conditions like anxiety, depression, etc., or even a paper exploring the stigmatization of these aforementioned elements through personal experience. So long as your lived experience is at the forefront of these concepts, then a perspective piece would be a perfect way to convey your story to your audience.
Guidelines
One benefit of writing a perspective piece is that there is no need for research or citing sources, as the information provided will be coming directly from you (though, if outside information is utilized, then sources will need to be cited in APA format). The Engage for Change Journal asks that perspective pieces be a maximum of five single-spaced pages, or ten double-spaced.
Summary
Your experiences matter. Through sharing your creative expressions or perspective, you offer an intimate connection to your audience that other article types may not have the capability of reaching. If you are interested in submitting creative work or a perspective piece for the upcoming issue “Mental Health and Well-Being: Justice for All,” visit this link for more information. We at the journal would love the opportunity to work with you and share your voice with the community.