KUDU publishes poetry to 40 lines, short fiction of 500-2,000 words, nonfiction of 1,500-2,500 words, and visual art. KUDU is an online biannual literary journal devoted to the creative work of South Africans: resident, expat, and dual citizens are all encouraged to submit. We welcome both unpublished and previously published work by writers of all levels of experience. Any subject. Any form. Read the complete guidelines here.
SQF: Why did you start this magazine?
Claudio Perinot: Two of my main interests are literature and South Africa, where I was born and raised. Both inspired the project and it began to take shape when, while submitting my own work, I realised that there were only a few avenues available to content from or about South Africa.
In theory, South African writers can submit their work to any of the thousands of journals around the world. However, judging by the scarcity of their work out there, they must often encounter two particular obstacles on their path to publication: the editors’ limited knowledge of, and subsequent lack of interest in, the culture of the country, and the difficulties connected to the language used. The latter is true not only for South African English, whose variations might be seen as imperfections and cause their rejection by journals which follow strict American or British usage, but also, and to a greater degree, for the other official languages of South Africa.
As an editor with South African roots, I can guarantee a deeper understanding of the country, a natural sensibility towards its cultural complexity, and a greater willingness to publish. My goal is to create a small but dedicated outlet for the publication and promotion of South African writing and visual art.
SQF: What are the top three things you look for in a submission and why?
CP: I look for knowledge of the subject and of the genre, for thought, for originality, for imagination, for the technique that has been used to combine them into something artistic. I look for evidence of the effort, of the work behind the piece. I want to see the craftsmanship. Then, submissions must have something to say. The subject must be meaningful, have a significance and an appeal capable of resonating with the readers. Ideally, it should, to whatever degree, change the way the readers see the world. It should complete or challenge their knowledge.
Content that is trite or banal will not get through. Careless, flimsy pieces are a waste of time: that of the submitters and mine.
SQF: What most often turns you off to a submission?
CP: When it is clearly unrevised work, with avoidable typos or mistakes. Then, when the submitter does not follow the guidelines. Last but not least, a cold cover letter. I would greatly appreciate a few words about where the submitter found KUDU and why the work was submitted.
SQF: What do you look for in the opening paragraph(s)/stanza(s) of a submission?
CP: A detail that catches the reader’s attention, that sparks curiosity. That keeps the reader reading. Nothing more, nothing less.
SQF: If KUDU had a theme song, what would it be and why?
CP: “Asimbonanga” by Johnny Clegg. Dedicated to Nelson Mandela, it quickly became an unofficial national anthem in the South Africa of the 1980s. It was firmly rooted in its social context, it was an inspiration for many and disapproved by others, it was provocative and stimulated debate, it was censored yet survived, at first glance it was simple but it ran deep, it divided but, because of its masterful artistic blend of music, language and meaning, it could not be ignored and, in the long run, it inevitably united. Art that is relevant and resonates will always stand the test of time. KUDU welcomes submissions of this kind: captivating, meaningful art on any subject and in any form.
SQF: What one question on this topic do you wish I'd asked that I didn't? And how would you answer it?
CP: Why should writers want to submit to KUDU?
Because publication is never useless. Credits are always invaluable additions to a writer’s biography. Secondly, KUDU is a small journal but it aims to build a strong reputation based on a transparent, solid editorial policy and being selected by KUDU, in its own small way, can be seen as a stepping-stone in the writer’s career. Thirdly, KUDU will voluntarily continue to promote its contributors and their work after they are published to build a more meaningful relationship than the usual hit-and-run submission and publication process. Debut writers will certainly benefit from this support.
Thank you, Claudio. We all appreciate your taking time from your busy schedule to participate in this project.
No comments:
Post a Comment