Mānoa Journal is looking for stories, craft essays, memoir, art, and poetry that engage with the theme of writing at the intersection of language, the threshold of mother tongue and assimilation, and how language lays the foundation of a multilingual perspective. How do we carry inherited language in English dominated environments? What are the challenges and blessings of growing up in a diaspora? How do multilingual experiences move and observe the world? How does language help to build bridges? We welcome writing that enters or furthers this conversation of what it means to write and witness a multicultural and multilingual world. We also welcome writing in bilingual and translingual forms. Your submission does not need to be in more than one language — we accept English-only submissions. 

Open Call until August 1, 2026.

Please review the following guidelines carefully:

Graphic Novel/Comic

• Please include 10 to 20 pages per submission, and submit all pages as one file.
• Include your name at the top right page of the document.
• Submit the document as a either a Word doc, PDF, JPEG, or PNG file.
• Graphic novel/comic must be the submitter’s own, original work.
• Work created, whether in whole or in part, with the assistance of Generative AI will not be accepted.
• Previously published work will not be accepted.

Art

• Please include 2 to 5 art pieces per submission, and submit all art pieces as one file.
• Include description of art pieces (i.e. medium, size, etc).
• Include a 250- to 400- word introduction to the pieces
• Format introduction in 12 pt, Times New Roman font. 
• Include your name at the top right page of the document.
• Submit the document as a Word doc, PDF, JPEG, or PNG file.
• Art pieces must be the submitter’s own, original work.
• Work and introductions created, whether in whole or in part, with the assistance of Generative AI will not be accepted.
• Previously published work will not be accepted.