Writers’ Guide

General Information

Try to be respectful, even if you dislike a discussed work.
Be discerning and provide justification for your opinions.
Check our Instagram page for calls for submissions and updates on the print editions.
Send your articles as Google Doc, PDF, Word, Word Doc.x or in-texts to our email: Spotlight@yorksu.org
In the email, make sure to specify your full name (if you want to be credited, otherwise we will publish the article as ‘anonymous’), the title of your article, and the name of the issue you are submitting for if your article is for a print edition. An example would be Jodie Foster, Fréwaka: The Unseen Horror of Irish Folklore, Myth & Magic.
If you are submitting for the blog, make sure to specify ‘blog submission’ in the email to avoid confusion.

Print Reviews:

Wordcount: ∼300-500
Print reviews are published in our beautifully curated printed magazine.
You have to follow the general theme of the current issue. The connection doesn’t necessarily have to be strong; you can explore a particular niche within the broader theme.
[review]: a critical appraisal of a book, play, film, etc. published in a newspaper or magazine. – Definitions from Oxford Languages
You are encouraged to rate the film or the tv show out of five.
Preferably spoiler-free. If necessary to your review, you can give away plot spoilers. In that case, include a spoiler alert at the very beginning of your review.

Print Critical Pieces:

Word Count: ∼500-1000
Print critical pieces are published in our beautifully curated printed magazine.
You have to follow the general theme of the current issue. The connection doesn’t necessarily have to be strong; you can explore a particular niche within the broader theme.
Your chance to share your opinion about a film, show, movement, industry, etc.
This could be a critical analysis or a more casual opinion-based piece.
Spec knowledge is not required for these pieces but more than welcome.
Preferably spoiler-free. If necessary to your review, you can give away plot spoilers. In that case, include a spoiler alert at the very beginning of your review.
You should reference any critical works you cite. You can do that informally within the text or use the MLA referencing system if you prefer. Just give credit, and make sure you don’t plagiarize anyone’s work.

Blog Reviews (online):

Wordcount: no set wordcount, preferably under 1500 words
Blog reviews are published in our digital Spotlight Blog, which you can access on this website.
You have artistic freedom and do not need to follow any theme.
[review]: a critical appraisal of a book, play, film, etc. published in a newspaper or magazine. – Definitions from Oxford Languages
You are encouraged to rate the film or the tv show out of five.
Preferably spoiler-free. If necessary to your review, you can give away plot spoilers. In that case, include a spoiler alert at the very beginning of your review.

Blog Critical Pieces (online):

Word Count: no set wordcount, preferably under 3500 words
Blog critical pieces are published in our digital Spotlight Blog, which you can access on this website.
You have artistic freedom and do not need to follow any theme.
Your chance to share your opinion about a film, show, movement, industry, etc. This could be a critical analysis or a more casual opinion-based piece.
Spec knowledge is not required for these pieces but more than welcome.
Preferably spoiler-free. If necessary to your review, you can give away plot spoilers. In that case, include a spoiler alert at the very beginning of your review.
You should reference any critical works you cite. You can do that informally within the text or use the MLA referencing system if you prefer. Ultimately, the way you do it doesn’t really matter. Just give credit, and make sure you don’t plagiarize anyone’s work.