ARCS Journal
ARCS Journal is an initiative of the American Romanian Cultural Society (ARCS), a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting Romanian culture through literature, film, visual arts, education, and community programs. Through festivals, artist initiatives, cultural events, and now this journal, ARCS seeks to create meaningful connections between people, ideas, and traditions across generations and borders.
We believe culture is not only preserved through institutions, festivals, and books. It also lives in memories, conversations, creative experiments, unexpected encounters, and the stories people carry with them across borders.
The journal brings together writers, artists, readers, musicians, filmmakers, photographers, and curious observers interested in exploring culture through personal experience, imagination, and thoughtful reflection. Some pieces will be rooted in Romanian literature, history, and traditions. Others may wander into art, migration, identity, creativity, community, or the small moments that connect people across places and generations.
Contribute to ARCS Journal
Submission Guidelines
ARCS Journal welcomes essays, literary reflections, reviews, creative nonfiction, cultural commentary, and other original writing connected to the themes and conversations we explore throughout the year.
We are looking for thoughtful, engaging work that invites reflection or curiosity and shows care for both the idea and the writing itself.
ARCS Journal is a curated publication. Submission does not guarantee publication, and the editorial team may decline work that is not a strong fit for the Journal or for a particular call.
What to Submit
Unless a specific call provides different instructions, please send:
your piece as a Word document or Google Doc;
your preferred name as you would like it to appear in publication;
a short author bio;
any photographs or images you would like us to consider, together with captions and appropriate credits.
Please follow the word count and deadline indicated in the individual call for submissions.
Original Work
Submissions should be the original work of the author.
Previously published work may be considered when appropriate, but please let us know where and when it first appeared.
If your piece is under consideration elsewhere, please let us know.
Editorial Review
All submissions are reviewed by the ARCS Journal Editorial Team.
We may make or suggest light edits for grammar, clarity, flow, formatting, or length while preserving the author’s voice and intent.
We work closely with new writers and provide editorial guidance before publication.
Authors may revise their work in response to editorial suggestions.
Images
If you submit photographs, artwork, or other images, please include:
a brief caption or identification of the place, person, work, or subject shown;
the name of the photographer or creator;
confirmation that you have permission for ARCS Journal to publish the image.
The editorial team may choose whether and how submitted images are used.
Language
ARCS Journal may publish work in English or Romanian, depending on the particular series or call for submissions.
Please submit your piece in the language in which you would like it to be considered for publication unless the call specifies otherwise.
Publication
Selected work may appear in the online ARCS Journal and, when indicated in the relevant call, may also be included in a printed edition of the Journal.
Publication timing and placement are determined by the editorial team.
Rights
Authors retain copyright to their work.
By agreeing to publication, authors grant ARCS Journal permission to publish the selected piece on its digital platforms and, when applicable, in the corresponding print edition and related promotional materials.
Any substantial reuse of the work outside these contexts would require the author’s permission.
A Note Before You Submit
We encourage contributors to take time with both the idea and the writing.
Before submitting, ask yourself:
Is this a piece I would want to stop and read?
We value distinctive voices, thoughtful observations, strong storytelling, and writing that gives the reader something to discover, question, remember, or see differently.
How to Submit
Please send submissions to:
When responding to a particular open call, include the name of the call or series in the subject line.
The Use of AI Policy
We acknowledge the value of powerful language‑learning tools, yet we invite non‑AI‑generated work. Authors may use AI for editing their original texts, but not for generating them.
The ARCS Journal Editorial Team
