CALL FOR PITCHES

RMIT University’s nonfiction/lab is proud to partner with Mekong Review to commission a new series of short literary works or criticism (fiction, non-fiction, poetry, comics, book reviews, etc.) for publication in forthcoming issues of the international publication.

Mekong Review is a quarterly English-language magazine of arts, literature, culture, politics, the environment and society in Asia, written by people from the region or those who know it well. It aims to provide fresh perspectives—one that covers Asian histories, lives and cultures through emerging regional voices—and also hold space for free expression and independent writing in a region where civil liberties and fundamental freedoms are constantly under threat. Contributors are requested to familiarise themselves with the content and style of Mekong Review.

In 2024–2025 our partnership had writers pairing up to examine notions of space and place. In this new series, we will explore the notion of hope in the everyday. In an era of social, political and economic instability—of climate change, of war, of genocide and attacks on democracy—how can we respond with not just anger, grief and despair, but also hope? What strength and encouragement can we draw from the little things, the mundane things, in our everyday lives to keep up going at a time of upheaval? How can art and writing provide platforms and paths for us to seek clarity and build power?

Pitches can be submitted jointly (with writers/artists working as a team) or solo. There will be up to EIGHT works commissioned for publication in Mekong Review from August 2025 to August 2026. Prose: 1,000–1,200 words; 50-60 lines poetry; comics up to one page (dimensions W 24.96 x H 33.98 cm).

HOW TO SUBMIT

Interested contributors need to submit:

• 150-word abstract articulating the form and nature of the intended work
• Author bio(s)
• A piece (or excerpt) of writing/link to portfolio

Please submit the above to both Sree Iyer sreedhevi.iyer@rmit.edu.au and Kirsten Han kirstenhan@mekongreview.com by 17 April 2025. Decisions on abstracts will be made by 24 April 2025 and final pieces will be due on a rolling basis as negotiated with Mekong Review. *

* Please note that the first issue in the series (August 2025) has a hard deadline of 27 June for final pieces. Please indicate in your submission if you would be able to make that deadline.

Industry-based writers (i.e. non-salaried practitioners without university affiliation) will be given an honorarium for their work.