Sierra Journal

Format: Please format your work in Standard Manuscript Format. We prefer this format because it lends itself to readability in print and digital modalities and leaves room for editorial staff to make notes between lines and in the margins. At the very least, please format your work according to the following parameters:

• Sans serif font, such as Courier or Times New Roman
• 12 pt. font size
• Double-space between lines
• One-inch margins all around

If you deviate from these formatting guidelines without a reason that is purposeful and clear to your reader, it may reduce your chances of being published in Sierra Journal.

In the case of poetry, please ensure that you set line breaks, stanza breaks, and other elements of format (e.g. concrete poetry) precisely as you wish it to appear in print.

Manuscript File: Attach your manuscript as a Word document. All students and staff have access to Microsoft Office through Sierra College and can be accessed via myApps.

Information to Include: Please let us know if the literature you submit is a reprint or a simultaneous submission. This is standard practice and can affect a work’s eligibility for publication. It’s fine if you want to include a brief cover letter by way of introduction but do not include a synopsis of your story.

IMPORTANT: Please do not include your name on the document itself as we adhere to a blind reading process (meaning we read works without knowing who wrote them to avoid potential editorial bias).

File naming: Use your first and last name, followed by an underscore (_) and a brief literary title. Example: pat-smith_dramaticsky.jpg

• File names should contain no spaces or special characters. Use lowercase letters, numbers, and underscores only.
• File names should contain no periods other than the one preceding the .jpg extension.

Literature Produced Using AI: Works produced using AI, LLMs, or machine learning will not be accepted. The Sierra Journal is interested in literature produced with “traditional elements of authorship,” as defined by the U.S. Copyright Office. Using basic editing tools like spell and grammar check, as well as AI generated prompts to develop your own story are acceptable; however, any generative use of AI to produce a story, such as AI modified and/or edited content, will not be accepted, as they do not represent the author’s own ideas, passions, and unique sensibilities and are infringements on or outright stolen ideas, passions, and unique sensibilities of others.

Permission to Publish: Work will be juried by students and faculty in English 22. If selected, the author agrees to have their work published in the Sierra Journal both in print and online. Artists’ work may also be used for promotional materials (social media, advertisements, inclusion on the SJ website, etc.).

The Sierra Journal welcomes submissions of photography, design, painting, drawing, sculpture, digital art, excerpts of graphic novels, and other forms of visual art. Images may be submitted in color or black and white. Submissions will be reviewed based on artistic merit and appropriateness for the content of the Sierra Journal and the academic environment.

Submission Guidelines:

• You may submit up to 10 works total.
• For sculpture and other three-dimensional artwork, submit one photograph of the artwork. This image will be considered for reproduction in the Sierra Journal.
• Submit the highest-quality image that meets the file requirements below.

Digital File Preparation

• File format: JPEG (.jpg)
• Color space: RGB
• Minimum image dimensions: 2000 pixels on the shortest dimension
• Maximum image dimensions: 6000 pixels on the longest dimension
• Maximum saved file size: 20 MB, or the largest practical file size supported by the submission system (Marketing and IT to review and determine this.)
• File naming: Use your first and last name, followed by an underscore (_) and a brief image title. Example: pat-smith_dramaticsky.jpg
  • File names should contain no spaces or special characters. Use lowercase letters, numbers, and underscores only.
  • File names should contain no periods other than the one preceding the .jpg extension.

Use of AI Tools: AI-assisted tools may be used for basic image editing and retouching, such as adjustments to color, tone, contrast, sharpening, noise reduction, spotting, or similar corrections. Limited use of generative tools for image extension or background expansion is permitted, provided it does not add or substantially alter significant visual content. AI-generated imagery, or the use of generative AI to create significant subjects or visual content, is not eligible for submission. Submitted work should represent the original creative work of the artist or photographer.

Permission to Publish: By submitting work to the Sierra Journal, the artist grants Sierra College permission to reproduce and publish the submitted work in the Sierra Journal and in related digital or promotional materials associated with the publication. The artist retains copyright and ownership of their original work.