Submissions

We accept submissions between 800 and 1,200 words, with a maximum of 1,300 words. We sometimes solicit pieces longer or shorter than this, but we do not accept unsolicited submissions that fall outside the stated range. The editors may return to the author any article that exceeds the word limit and will not consider it for publication until it has been shortened per SAV requirements.

Yes, you can submit a pitch instead of a draft if you are unsure whether the piece is a good fit for SAV. The pitch should include:

1. “[A short summary of the topic]-PITCH” in the subject line of the email 
2. Your main argument in 2-3 sentences (make sure it addresses the “so what” of the topic) 
3. Why your experience makes you fit to address the topic 
4. Bio or CV (optional) 

Please bear in mind that if the SAV Editorial Team indicates interest in your pitch, that does not mean that the piece has been formally accepted. We can only make a final decision on whether to accept or reject a piece after seeing a full written submission.  

SAV assumes that any piece submitted to us is being offered exclusively and that no piece accepted for publication is or will be published elsewhere simultaneously in any form without our knowledge. If we discover during the editing process that you have published your article in another outlet, you will no longer be welcome to publish with us.

We try our best to inform you if an article has been accepted for consideration within 7 working days of submission. If you do not receive a response from SAV within 7 working days, it is likely that your submission has not been accepted.

If a pitch is accepted and the full article is submitted for consideration, we will get back to the author with a decision on whether the piece has been accepted or rejected within 5 working days.  

Unfortunately, due to the high volume of submissions we receive, we are not able to provide additional feedback on articles or pitches that are not accepted. 

Instead of footnotes or endnotes, SAV uses hyperlinks to cite sources. SAV asks authors to cite all figures, quotes, common as well as lesser-known facts, and others’ work. Reputable local and international publications, government and international organizations, academic journals, and policy reports are excellent sources. Whenever possible, SAV prefers primary sources instead of secondary or tertiary references. The editors do not consider Wikipedia to be an acceptable source. 

• To embed a hyperlink in Microsoft Word, SAV contributors must: select a maximum of four words in the sentence; right click on the selected words; choose the “Hyperlink” option from the drop-down menu; and insert the hyperlink into the “Address” bar. 

Successful SAV submissions include: 

•  A timely peg or hook that connects the issue to 

• A short introduction, which includes the main argument of the piece. The editors will return submissions that lack a clear thesis stated upfront. 

• 2-4 sections with headers, which break down the argument and include evidence to support it, and  

• A conclusion that includes either 1) recommendations to address the problem identified in the introduction, or 2) a discussion about the broader implications of the argument.  

Please note that this structure is distinct to what would be submitted to an academic journal or an essay for academic purposes. 

Format text to Times New Roman, size 12, line space 1.0, alignment of left justify, with one space between paragraphs. SAV only accepts pieces in U.S. English. 

Please bold section headers, with subsections italicized (if any). Other guidelines include: 

• Abbreviations and Acronyms: Spell out the full name the first time it appears (e.g. “ballistic missile defense (BMD)”) and use the acronym (e.g. “BMD”) in subsequent instances. c.  

• Quotes: Use double quotation marks (“ ”) for quotations and single quotation marks (‘ ’) for a quotation within a quotation. Avoid using single quotation marks for emphasis.  

• Avoid Passive Voice: Always use the active voice. For instance, instead of saying “The announcement made by the foreign ministry today…,” write “The foreign ministry announced today… announced today.”  

• U.S. versus United States: Write “U.S.” when using as an adjective (e.g. “U.S. officials said today…”) and “United States” when referring to the proper noun (e.g. “The United States decided to…”).  

• Audience: SAV authors should bear in mind that the platform’s readership is international. Contributors should assume readers have a basic familiarity with South Asian issues, but not necessarily in-depth expertise. 

While SAV prioritizes transparency, we recognize that there are sometimes challenges associated with offering critical analysis. In the spirit of fostering open and constructive dialogue, SAV will consider the use of pen names on a case-by-case basis.