Submit Your Work
Submit Your Work
The Pursuit of HAAPI-ness
The good, the bad, and the happiness found in sad times
Told from Hawaiian, Asian, and Pacific Islander perspectives
The Pursuit of HAAPI-ness Issue
The Pursuit of HAAPI-ness Issue
Accepting submissions through April 1st - June 23rd
Concept and Meaning
What does “The Pursuit of Happiness” mean to you? How can we simply ‘just be happy’ when we are all finding our place in the world, balancing work or school, trying to afford the costs of living, navigating life’s ups and downs, and learning more about our cultural identities in mostly western spaces? ‘The Pursuit of HAAPI-ness’ is an introspective theme told by Hawaiian, Asian, and Pacific Islander voices to explore our inner and outer joy, often in sad times.
Tell us your observations of HAAPI-ness in the world and political sphere, or reflect on what makes you sad and how you have pursued happiness in your own mental health journey. Are you a cycle breaker of generational unhappiness or a trail blazer that makes the pursuit of happiness possible for others? Are you a ‘first’ in your family or community to do something, like attend college? Shoot for the moon and tell us about your pursuit of happiness.
Mission Statement
Overachiever Magazine is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive online platform which amplifies the voices of AANHPI women, non-binary people, and other gender minorities. This is a safe space for those who find themselves at the intersections between Asian, woman, and LGBTQ identities. We strive to discuss a wide range of topics about AANHPI culture, entertainment, life, and other social issues faced within our community. Together, we will continue to explore new ideas, perspectives, and learn from each other month after month.
Call for Submissions
ART - We want to feature artists’ portfolios. Submit 5-10 original pieces that visually tell your style and story as an artist, your medium, then provide a short statement about your collection and links to where we can view more of your work.
POETRY - We want to feature small poetry collections. Submit 5-10 original poems that speak true to who you are or how you honestly feel—be fearless in how you express yourself. Then provide a short statement about your collection and links to where we can view more of your work.
WRITTEN PIECES - Write an article, review, or personal essay inspired by the theme or one of the prompts below. Themes will change quarterly and prompts will change monthly to keep you inspired for your next submission.
Theme: The Pursuit of HAAPI-ness
HAPPI-ness - Tell us a story about your Hawaiian, Asian, or Pacific Islander culture or upbringing. How has living in a western society possibly hidden aspects of your identity from you, or the opposite, made you glaringly aware? How have you sought community in HAAPI spaces, why?
Sadness - What makes you sad or depressed? Tell us about a hardship you have endured or are currently going through. Do you have past trauma that interferes with your joy? How have you pursued healing and happiness through difficult times?
Success - In what ways do you sabotage your own success or happiness? Do you wrestle with burnout or perfectionism? What are some struggles and accomplishments you have made in your career? Are you content with where you’re at, or do you crave even more personal and professional development?
World: Activism - News - Stop Asian Hate - Travel
ACTIVISM - Explain your thoughts on a complex issue (Educate us, enlighten us, or simply express your concerns). Are you optimistic about the future? Why or why not?
NEWS - What’s your reaction to something that’s happening or has recently happened in current events for the AANHPI community?
STOP ASIAN HATE - Share your concerns to stand up and speak out against discrimination, violences, and hatred towards Asians.
TRAVEL - Have you recently traveled to an exciting destination? Share some photos and what you were most inspired by.
Being: Mind - Body - Soul - Identity
MIND - Share what have learned from the ups and downs of your mental health journey. What are you letting go in order to move forward?
BODY - What is a quality that was once a weakness or insecurity, but you now see as a strength? (Beauty, skin tone, body image) Tell your story.
SOUL - What do you like to do to express yourself, and why? Is it creative or cathartic to do this? Is it a new hobby or a natural talent?
IDENTITY - Describe your response to the infamous question, “What are you?” Have you ever been in a situation where you have stood out of felt awkward for being different?
Media: TV & Film - Music - Literature - Podcast
TV & FILM - What is an AANHPI movie or show that you recently watched? Write a review. Are new films doing a good job at telling authentic stories when they cast Asian actors or do they perpetuate stereotypes? Why or why not?
MUSIC - Do you play an instrument? Tell us your story and share some samples of your music. What inspires your sound?
LITERATURE - Have you read a book from an AANHPI author recently? Was the book fictional or based on true events? Write a review to share what you liked or disliked.
PODCAST - Overachiever Magazine is exploring the possibility of creating a podcast in the future. Share some questions or topics you’d like us to cover by submitting a Contact Form on our website. Coming Soon.
Yours Truly: Overachievers - Art - Poetry - Creators Club
OVERACHIEVERS - We want to learn more about you. What is something cool you (or an organization) are doing in the AANHPI community?
ART and POETRY - Historically, Overachiever Magazine has had monthly round ups of art and poetry. However, we are now going to accept art and poetry portfolios on a rolling basis. That’s right, an entire feature of your portfolio. Share 3-10 pieces of your work and a little about yourself.
CREATOR’S CLUB - Overachiever Magazine is going to start a Creator’s Club to regularly highlight the work of some amazing creatives in our community, mostly through social media.
New Exciting Things: Letters to the Editor
Overachiever Magazine recognizes its platform as an online community space that is safe for free expression for all Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander women and other gender minorities. OM’s new Letters to the Editor section will be available as an ongoing forum for individuals and organizations within our community to share their opinions.
The new Letters to the Editor section will create the opportunity for our readers to discuss their 350 word stance on a wide range of topics about AANHPI culture, entertainment, life, and other social issues faced within our community—without the pressure of writing a full piece that necessarily aligns with the current theme. You may submit your letter on an independent topic, or you can respond to some of our open monthly questions where letters may be grouped together.
Submit Your Work
-
Overachiever Magazine is an online community space that is dedicated to amplifying voices and providing opportunities for all AANHPI women and gender minorities. We want to showcase your art, your poetry, and what you have to say. We strive to discuss a wide range of topics about AANHPI culture, entertainment, life, and other social issues faced within our community. So speak up and Speak Now. We want you to be part of the New Era of OM!
-
First, we highly suggest that you draft your personal statement on a blank document to edit. When you are ready, you may then submit your work using the form below. Complete the form and copy and paste your personal statement into your submission.
For art and poetry submissions, upload samples of your work (3-10 pieces) to a Google Doc. Include the share link to your document. All files must be set to "Anyone With a Link Can Edit." No attachments will be accepted and missing or private portfolios cannot be considered.
-
First, we highly suggest that you draft your personal statement on a blank document to edit. When you are ready, you may then submit your work using the form below. Complete the form and copy and paste your personal statement into your submission.
For art and poetry submissions, upload samples of your work (3-10 pieces) to a Google Doc. Include the share link to your document. All files must be set to "Anyone With a Link Can Edit." No attachments will be accepted and missing or private portfolios cannot be considered.
-
First, we highly suggest that you draft your personal statement on a blank document to edit. When you are ready, you may then submit your work using the form below. Complete the form and copy and paste your personal statement into your submission.
For written pieces, you may start the submission process after the first draft is complete. Include the share link to your document. All files must be set to "Anyone With a Link Can Edit." No attachments will be accepted and missing or private submissions cannot be considered.
-
If you are a new contributor, please include a square headshot and a short bio at the bottom of your Google Doc so that we can add you as an author on our website and properly credit you for your submission.
If you are a returning contributor, please let us know when you complete the form below. A new author’s bio is not necessary for returning contributors.
-
To uphold the mission of our organization, Overachiever Magazine will reserve all opportunities for members of our community—meaning that you must be an Asian American, Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander (or partly) woman or gender minority in order to submit your work. We apologize to all others, but thank you for wanting to support our community.
We will accept all submissions, however, we reserve the right to determine the content of our publication. The decision to publish a piece shall not be based on the writer’s agreement with OM itself, but rather, on a list criteria detailed below, to be later determined by the Editor-in-Chief, Section Editor, or Copyeditor:
All submissions must be exclusive to Overachiever Magazine.
All submissions are subject to editing and abridgment.
Pen names are allowed, but the writer must include their full name in the submission.
Social media handles are okay to include (at the writer’s discretion) but are not required.
All submissions must be clean of cursing and hateful speech (invoking violence or harm).
All submissions must maintain a high standard of respect for others in our community.
All submissions to Overachiever Magazine are done so voluntarily.
All submissions may be published on our website or social media.
By submitting the form below, we have your full permission to publish your work. You may at anytime reach out to us via the Contact Page to request us to take down your post, but please us allow us 1-2 weeks to process your request.
-
Overachiever Magazine reserves this safe space for submissions from individuals and organizations representing AANHPI women, non-binary individuals, and other gender minorities. However, OM is not responsible for the words or actions of any participant. By participating in our community, you are solely responsible for your words and it does not necessarily represent OM as a whole.
