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Submission Guidelines

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Submission Guidelines 〰️

Demure encourages the discovery and appreciation of emerging femme, queer and gender-non-conforming (GNC) creatives. We are a safe space that emphasises inclusivity and compassion for others. 

Before submitting, we encourage you to familiarise yourself with the tone and style of our publication. You may consider the following questions to evaluate the ethical and qualitative nature of your submission:

  • Does the piece reflect a sensitive consideration of its intended audience?

  • Does the piece include characters or communities that exist in reality? Have these individuals consented to their portrayal?

  • Does the piece unintentionally marginalise any at-risk communities? 

  • Does the piece reflect an original voice or idea in relation to its content?

Further information on our communal values and authorship can be found in our FAQs (below).

All submissions require:

  • full name (and/or brand name)

  • pronouns (she/her/they/them etc.)

  • social media handles / website links

  • the Traditional Place / Country where you currently reside or create (e.g. Wurundjeri Country / Naarm)

  • short bio about yourself and/or creative statement (2-10 sentences)

Literature

Long-Form Literature:

  • If you are submitting a long-form piece of writing, be it a personal essay, book review, interview with an author, or experience you’d like to share, send us a creative statement and a general abstract of your work. This doesn’t need to be long, but it will assist with the editing process.

  • Please attach a cover image with appropriate credits (preferably not an image of yourself).

  • We are looking for pieces that are over one page long 

  • Any literature submissions should follow the ethical and qualitative considerations listed above and in our FAQs

  • To help our editorial team, ensure that your piece reflects a publication standard of legibility and quality prior to submission. Stylistic choices that break these constraints can be included in the creative statement.

  • Let us know If you think your piece needs some guidance so we can organise to workshop it with you.

  • We allow anonymous submissions, just let us know during the process.

Poetry:

  • If you are submitting poetry, send us a creative statement and general abstract of your collection / individual poem. This doesn’t need to be long, but it will assist with the editing process.

  • Please attach a cover image with appropriate credits (preferably not an image of yourself).

  • We are looking for individual poems or collections of poems that are over a page long.

  • We are not currently accepting individual poems less than a page long. 

  • Any literature submissions should follow the ethical and qualitative considerations listed above and in our FAQs.

  • Let us know If you think your piece needs some guidance so we can organise to workshop it with you.

  • We allow anonymous submissions, just let us know during the process.

Art, Design, Film+Theatre, Music:

  • This could be a design project, a brand in the making, something shot with a lens, an upcoming performance, anything from the sonic realm or art you would like to share.

  • Group collaborations are welcome.

  • Please caption all images with the name of the artists, models, photographers if needed. If applicable, add the title of the work to the file name.

  • If you have a preference for the order of images, please say so.

  • Audio and Video files (mp3s and mp4s): Include the original files OR links to a Vimeo, SoundCloud, BandCamp or Spotify.

  • From there, we can get started with some interview questions!

For the benefit of our team, please create a Google Drive folder with all documents and files ready to share with us.

E.g. folder named “(project title or name) x Demure”

submit.demuremag@gmail.com

We will be in touch!

Our team has a constant waitlist of submissions we are getting through. However, if you don’t hear back from us within three weeks, the chances are that we have missed your email!

IF you have not included the above, your submission, will be lower on the reply-to list.

If your submission is time-sensitive - relating to an album release, performance or event - please submit at least a month in advance so we can fit you in at a time where promotion best suits.

Above all, we welcome all feedback. We’re open to listening, learning and growing. Please contact us if you have questions, queries or suggestions.

xx Demure team xx

Unsure of what to write in your creative statement?

Answer these questions:

  1. What is your background and origin of your work?

  2. What is your work about & what medium do you use?

  3. How has your practice changed over time?

  4. Where can the viewer see more of your work?

  5. What is next for you?

Email us and we can workshop these with you.

Who can submit work to demure?

At this stage, we accept femme, queer and gender-non-conforming individuals.

Queer is an umbrella term for sexual and gender minorities who are not heterosexual or are not cisgender. Genderqueer or gender-non-conforming (GNC) is the term for gender identities that are neither male nor female‍ identities that are outside the gender binary. 

Why no straight cis male creatives?

We are not straight cis men haters. This policy is due to the belief that straight cis men already dominate most industries and platforms!

We believe it is integral to promote diverse voices on our platform, and this is at the forefront of what we do. By supporting members of these communities in their creative endeavours, audiences can both support marginalised groups and learn from unique perspectives.

The goal of this is to create a community that fosters mutual respect, empathy and understanding on a cultural and interpersonal level.

I’ve submitted but haven’t heard back yet!

Sometimes we have a big waitlist going for the next few weeks or months, and we miss a few things in the inbox. Don’t be afraid to send us a double message - we are never not responding on purpose.

Do you pay contributors?

At this point in time, we do not have the funds to pay contributors financially. We are a self-funded, not-for-profit group and do not pay ourselves!

If I am published online, will I be featured in a print magazine?

Due to having a small volunteer-based team, we only do magazine versions of our online publication sporadically. We will let you know if this is the case, and you will get updates on our socials when we are planning our next print.

Trigger warnings / content warnings

We ask that all pieces align with the values of Demure - inclusivity, safety and respect. If your piece features any of the below, we ask you to put a CW (content warning) advisor at the top - which we will as well.

  • Rape and Sexual Assault.

  • Abuse (physical, mental, emotional, verbal, sexual)

  • Child abuse/pedophilia.

  • Depicted racism.

  • Visceral depicted Miscarriages/Abortion.

  • Animal cruelty or animal death.

  • Self-injurious behaviour (self-harm, eating disorders, etc.)

  • Suicide.

I am triggered by x but I do not see it on your list. Why?

Although it is nearly impossible to cover every trigger on the site, please let us know when this happens! Any advice is welcome.

Is there any subject matter not allowed?

Demure asks all contributors not to include any sensitive information about an individual without their consent. We aim to ensure the safety of all.

I'd love to order a magazine but can't afford a copy right now!

Times are tough financially, and we totally understand. Send us a message and we can organise a discount!

How long will it take for my magazine to arrive?

Once the pre-order closing date has passed, please allow us a few weeks (2-3). From that date, we must finalise an order with our printing company and send out copies individually. This process time will become shorter as we get the hang of it!