We encourage you to read our current issue and explore our archive before submitting to Script. This will help you get a sense of what we are looking for. In addition, below you will find advice on preparing your submissions. 

Personal Essays:

• Nonfiction essays portraying personal experience.
• Think beyond the diary entry; reach out to the audience.
• Elements of fiction (scene, dialogue, sensory detail) help in creating an engaging story.
  
• Maximum 750 words.
  
  

Academic Essays:

• Appropriate tone for academic audience (no informal language).
• Clear, logical structure.
• If it was for a class, keep in mind it should be adapted to a different audience. Assume your audience knows nothing about your subject.
• Notes on adaptation:
  • Include works cited, even if your professor didn't require it.
  • Maximum 3,000 words.
  • It can be from any subject, not just English courses.
  • The Writing Center is a great resource for preparing your submission.
    
    

Fiction Short Stories:

• Keep in mind the elements of great fiction: clear point of view, well-developed characters, compelling plot, purposeful setting.
• Avoid clichés.
• We are not looking for excerpts of a novel or longer piece of fiction.
  
• Maximum 3000 words.
  
  

Drama:

• This category is for play scripts and screenwriting.
• We prefer one-act plays/screenplays so that we can include the full story. However, we will consider excerpts from longer works.
• The characters should be well-rounded and the plot should be clear, even if it’s only a portion of the drama. Consider your audience.
  
• Maximum 3,000 words.
  
  

Poetry:

• Avoid clichés.
• The formatting should make sense with the content of the poem.
• Keep in mind that poetry offers new insight into ideas, emotions, and experiences.
• We love specificity, sensory detail, and surprising language.
  
• Any length but epic poems are less likely to be accepted.
  
  

 Visual Art:

• The art you submit should be yours. Make sure what you submit is original and creative.
• Keep basic design elements in mind: focal point, balance, proportion, light, etc.
• Be sure to include the medium information (type of art, size, etc.) in the comment field in the Blackboard submission manager.
  
  

Music:

• High quality recording.
• If your song has lyrics, don’t forget to include them in the comment field in the Blackboard submission manager.
  
  

Film:

• Highest quality possible.
• Should have a plot or meaningful message.
• Please note additional instructions when submitting via Blackboard.