critical writing | inner life | arts and culture
SECRET DOOR SUBMISSION GUIDELINES
We want to hear from passionate artists and writers about distinctive ideas, issues, and art. The topics aren't always controversial or hard-hitting; sometimes they're just odd or offbeat, and sometimes they're a slice of life, something uniquely personal. The articles published on The Secret Door are meant to illuminate authentically-made art and encompass the experience of artists by exploring the sometimes-veiled aspects of art and culture (see our About section).
We do not publish work that relies heavily on the news and partisan politics. There are plenty of news and current events publications out there, but this is a place for philosophical and critical examinations of art.
We hate that we have to say this, but all work needs to be written by humans. No AI or any other form of plagiarism or sneaky cobbling together of work that's not 100% yours. We don't like those kinds of shenanigans. All work will be ran through a paid AI and plagiarism checker and discarded if found to be not your own.
PITCH TO
SECRET DOOR
Please read the About section and review the existing articles on the site to see if your work would be a good fit. We welcome submissions at any time and look forward to hearing from interested artists and writers. All writers will be credited and linked on the website and Instagram. Frequent contributed (three or more articles) will have a dedicated page on the website with a bio and links.
All Pitches should include the following: Proposed subject and/or title of the article, an estimated word count, a summary of the subject and your thesis or intended approach, and an explanation for why you're the right person to cover this subject.
Articles that are already written or published elsewhere are welcome, so long as you maintain the rights. For finished work, submit a summary and a sample of the finished work in the Pitch section of the submission form. For previously published work, please submit a link in the Pitch section.
The Editing Process
Editorial guidelines will be sent to those whose pitches are approved. Once a draft is completed and sent to us, it will be edited for technical errors. The editing process may take a few passes if revisions are requested for style and clarity. Please understand that editing is a blunt and unemotional process, but just because we ask you to change something does not mean we don't like the work.
Previously published articles will be represented on Secret Door the same way they are published elsewhere, and may not adhere fully to our guidelines.
Types of Pitches
Criticism: Op-ed pieces or critical research essays on historical or contemporary issues and ideas within art and culture. We prefer topics on the more obscure or neglected areas of conversation, but if you are pitching a widely covered topic, please approach it from a uniquely critical standpoint. All criticism essays should have a clear thesis, and be formatted according to the Chicago Manual of Style and include an original perspective and thoughtful, objective research.
Please, no ill-conceived hot takes, callouts, take-downs, or scapegoaty style articles.
History: We want to hear about little-known or underexplored topics in art history, whether it's a close reading of one painting based on intersectional research or a survey of circus clowns in 19th-century paintings. All history essays should be formatted according to the Chicago Manual of Style and written in an academic voice that includes an original perspective and thoughtful and objective research.
Art/Life: This series includes personal essays and alternative prose. The theme is wide open, as long as it has to do with art or your experiences as an artist. The tone of these articles can be informal and adopt a somewhat creative license when it comes to style and grammar; just don't go overboard with slang, buzzwords, and trendy vernacular.
Be brave enough to critique yourself and others and to write honestly and reflectively about your lived experience.
Don't slander anyone, and don't write about events without offering a thoughtful and personal perspective.
Interviews: Ideas for interviews or conversation pieces are welcome and should include either a request to be interviewed or a proposal to interview someone else, along with a theme or a specific topic as it relates to issues and ideas of art or art history.
A good theme or topic is crucial. We're not looking for incendiary rants—we believe that people are entitled to informed and thoughtful opinions, not just opinions in general. On the other hand, we won't accept general interviews full of easy questions in a puff-piece style. We want to hear considerate dialogue on arts and culture from the appropriate people. The tone of our interviews is investigatory and introspective.
The Secret Door is a not-for-profit labour of love. For the time being, all contributing writers are accepted on a volunteer basis. If you would like to finance The Secret Door so that the founder and writers can be paid, contact us here or email lthipphawong@gmail.com.
SUBMIT A CLOSE READING
TO THE ART SHOWCASE
The Art Showcase is a place to delve into one artwork at a time and learn about it through a close reading written by the artist. The close reading should offer insight into the work's intention and purpose, the story behind its creation, and the meaning of its content. Think of it as a micro-essay or an exhibition statement solely for the one piece of art.
We hate that we have to say this, but all work needs to be written by humans. No AI or any other form of plagiarism or sneaky cobbling together of work that's not 100% yours. We don't like those kinds of shenanigans. All work will be ran through a paid AI and plagiarism checker and discarded if found to be not your own.
WHAT TO SUBMIT
The Secret Door engages with art made thoughtfully as a singular expression and exploration of the artist's thoughts, feelings, and experiences. We are not interested in art made for aesthetic purposes only, or work that serves as a political or didactic statement separate from the artist themselves.
We focus on work that leans strongly towards the representational, narrative, strange, and unconventional, but we will also accept other types of work as long as it's meaningful in one way or another. Please reference the previous Art Showcase examples for a sense of the curatorial decision-making.
We appreciate all submissions; however, we reserve the right to curate the selection in keeping with the Secret Door's mandate, and due to time constraints, we may not be able to respond to or include all submissions. Submissions that require extensive editing, or do not meet the criteria will not be selected. If your work is not chosen, it is not a reflection of the quality of the artwork.
One Artwork – High-Quality Images 72DPI or Higher
We accept the following forms of art – Painting, Drawing, Printmaking, Collage, Mixed Media, Hand-Manipulated or Alternatively Processed Photography, Sculpture, 2-D Works, Installations.
We do not accept the following forms of art – Photography (unless it's been altered by hand), Performance Art, Digital Art, Craft, Noise Art, Commercial Art, not that there's anything wrong with those forms of artwork, but it's not within our curatorial mandate.
A Short Close-Reading on the Artwork – 100-500 Words
We're looking for thoughtful, specific, and personal essays that examine the chosen artwork as a close reading. A close reading is an analysis of the details within text or art for the purpose of understanding the artist's intention and how the work reflects that intention.
In other words, don't just describe the art. Tell us what choices you made and what those choices were meant to convey. Don't assign vague meaning to the art with no context or reason. If your work is a commentary on something, explain the specifics of what it is you're commenting on, what it is you're trying to say, and how you have used your art to say it.