Submissions — TIDEPOOLS

Submission Guidelines

We are excited to see your creative work. Please read the following guidelines carefully to ensure your submission meets our requirements.

Tidepools publishes original art, comics, poetry, fiction, and essays exclusively from MiraCosta College students, staff, and faculty, and awards cash prizes to students in each category. We appreciate diverse voices and encourage submissions that reflect personal experiences, insights, and creativity.

General Requirements

Your submission should be relevant to the magazine's theme for the current issue.
All submissions must be your own work. Plagiarism will not be tolerated and will result in immediate disqualification.
You may submit a maximum of 3 entries in each of the categories.
Each submission requires a separate cover sheet.

Submission Process

1 Upload Your Work: Use the online submission form to upload your document and any accompanying files. DO NOT PUT YOUR NAME ON YOUR ENTRIES.
2 Include a Cover Letter: Use the online submission form to fill out a cover sheet for each entry and upload your document file or submit the link to your work (for multimedia submissions). Briefly introduce yourself and provide any relevant background information about your work in your artist statement.
3 Submit: Once you have filled out the submission form and uploaded your materials, click "Submit Cover Sheet."

Formatting & File Requirements

Document Format: Please submit your work in a .docx or .pdf format.Ensure that the document is not password protected.
Font & Size: Use a standard font (e.g., Times New Roman, Arial) in 12-point size.
Line Spacing: Use double spacing for text submissions. Poetry submissions can be single-spaced.
Margins: 1-inch margins on all sides.
Resolution: 300 DPI for print, 72 DPI for web
File Size: less than 5MB (for artwork and text submissions)
Full-Page Artwork Size: 8.5" x 11" (Portrait) or 11" x 8.5" (Landscape).

Content Guidelines

Visual Art: B&W and color drawings, prints, photographs, paintings, mixed media, and graphic design. Should be in .jpg or .png format.
Poetry: 1000-word limit, single spaced. Poets may choose to include a link to a YouTube video (under 5 minutes) of a performance of that same piece.
Fiction, Creative Non-Fiction & Essays: 1800-word limit, double-spaced.
Comic Strips & Graphic Novels/Memoirs: 5-10 panels maximum.
Resolution: 300 DPI for print, 72 DPI for web
File Size: less than 5MB (for artwork and text submissions)
Full-Page Artwork Size: 8.5" x 11" (Portrait) or 11" x 8.5" (Landscape).

Artist Statement

Each submission must be accompanied by a brief artist statement (50–200 words) describing the work, its inspiration, or its intent. Statements are used by the editorial board during review and may be published alongside selected works.

Multiple Submissions

You may submit multiple works, but each submission requires a separate cover sheet. Please complete this form once per entry. There is no limit to the number of works you may submit, but the editorial team will select no more than two works per contributor for publication.

Review Process

We aim to respond to all submissions within 6-8 weeks. If you have not heard from us by then, feel free to inquire about your submission status. Selected pieces may be edited for clarity, length, or style. You will be notified of any significant changes before publication.

Contact Information

For any questions regarding submissions, please contact us at tidepools@miracosta.edu or visit our website at https://tidepools.matmcc.org/.

Submission Categories

Tidepools accepts work across three primary categories, each with distinct sub-genres.

Art

Writing

Essay
Fiction
Poetry

Multimedia

Animation
Video
Audio
Installation
Interactive Media

Not Sure Where You Fit?

If your work spans multiple categories or doesn't clearly fit any of the above, select the category that best represents the primary medium of the piece. You may clarify in your artist statement. The editorial board will review interdisciplinary work with equal consideration.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can't find your answer here? Contact us at tidepools@miracosta.edu.

What types of submissions do you accept? +

We accept a variety of submissions, including articles, essays, poetry, artwork, and photography. Please refer to our submission guidelines for specific details on each category.

How do I submit my work? +

To submit your work, please fill out the submission form on the "Submit Work" tab. Make sure to include all required fields and upload your files as specified in our guidelines.

Is there a submission fee? +

No. We do not charge a submission fee. All submissions are free of charge.

What are your submission guidelines? +

Our submission guidelines can be found on the "Guidelines" tab of our website. Please ensure that your work adheres to these guidelines regarding format, length, and content.

Can I submit multiple pieces at once? +

Yes. You can submit multiple pieces. However, please submit each piece separately and ensure that they comply with our submission guidelines.

Can I submit work that I created in a class? +

Yes, work created in a course is eligible as long as you are the original author or artist.

How long will it take to hear back about my submission? +

We aim to respond to all submissions within 6-8 weeks. However, this may vary depending on the volume of submissions we receive.

Can I withdraw my submission after I have sent it? +

Yes. You may withdraw your submission at any time before it has been accepted for publication. Please contact us with your request, including the title of your submission.

Will I retain copyright of my work? +

Yes. You will retain the copyright of your work. However, by submitting, you grant us the right to publish it in our magazine and on our website.

What happens if my submission is accepted? +

If your submission is accepted, we will notify you via email and provide details regarding the publication process. You may be asked to make minor edits or revisions.

Can I submit work that has been previously published? +

Please refer to our submission guidelines for specific policies regarding previously published work. Generally, we prefer original content that has not been published elsewhere.

How can I contact you for further questions? +

You can reach us through our "Contact Us" page or email us directly at tidepools@miracosta.edu. We’re happy to assist you with any questions or concerns.

Do you offer feedback on submissions? +

While we strive to provide feedback on all submissions, due to the volume of entries, we may not be able to offer detailed critiques. However, we value every submission and appreciate your effort.

My file is larger than 5 MB. What should I do? +

For files exceeding the 5 MB limit, please upload your work to a cloud service (Google Drive, Dropbox, YouTube, Vimeo, SoundCloud, etc.) and submit the link instead of a file. Ensure your link is publicly accessible or that view permissions are open before submitting.