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SUBMISSION GUIDELINES

2024 Theme: Xanh

 

Submissions to Nhà Nha are open on a rolling basis with a central biannual theme. The theme for 2024: Xanh​

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“Fifteen days after we are born, we begin to discriminate between colors,” Maggie Nelson writes in Bluets. But in Vietnamese, sometimes xanh means ‘green’. Sometimes xanh means ‘blue’. The sky is xanh as a leaf is xanh. “Xanh” is where different colors, meanings, and identities can exist all at once.

 

“Xanh” is all about context: how we describe our lives and our homes—from the objects and clothing we keep to the flora and fauna around us. It is as much an exploration into the colors that make up our homes as it is into the memories and mementos that take us to who we are and how we live. It’s a framework for how we interpret ourselves and all that is outside of us. 

 

This year, we invite you to submit photos and stories inspired by the word “xanh.” Send to us the blues and greens (and yes, even all those Google map markers) of places you love. Send us the dishes and streets that hold more than one meaning. Send us to the spaces where the clashing of colors, emotions, cultures, and memories comprise an entire world.

 

The submission period for “Xanh” will run from March 1st, 2024 12:00 AM PST - December 31st, 2024 11:59 PM PST. ​

Photograph Guidelines

  • Please send us 1-2 photos in a single submission. If you intend to submit a story (see ‘Story Guidelines’), you may submit up to 3 photos. 

  • Each photo must include a caption. In less than 50 words, please share with us 1) the year taken, if known; 2) who or what is being shown; 3) and a note on how it relates to “home” and the current theme. 

  • Instead of a caption, you can send us a story (see ‘Stories Guidelines’). 

  • We welcome submissions in both Vietnamese and English

  • If you are submitting more than one photo, be sure to save your captions in a way that will allow us to distinguish them (eg. “IMG1 - Caption” and “IMG2 - Caption”).

  • Photo scans and phone photos are welcome. Though we may ask for re-scans of printed photos.

  • All photos should be uploaded electronically via this form. 

  • Acceptable file formats: png, jpg, jpeg.

Story Guidelines

  • We’re looking for stories written in either Vietnamese or English, 500 words or fewer.

  • Stories should elaborate on the connection of your photo(s) to the current theme. Please keep our mission in mind when submitting stories.

  • We crave stories with elements of the experimental. Think stories in the form of family recipes, poetry, lists and lyrics, journal jottings, chats with your elders, etc. We love formal essays as much as the fun, the fictive, the fleeting.

  • Send your stories along with your photos here.

  • We reserve the right to reject stories if they do not adhere to these guidelines.

  • IMPORTANT NOTE: All stories will be subject to translation and edits, if needed.

The Technical Stuff

Please give us at least 3 weeks to respond to your submission. If you haven’t heard from us in a month, feel free to send us a query via the contact form or by email.

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We recognize the sensitive nature of sharing photos with others. If for any reason you wish to revise or withdraw your submission, you can reach us at nha.nha.project@gmail.com

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Note: By submitting your photos and stories, you are granting us permission to include them on Nhà Nha’s website for the lifespan of the project. We also request the right to include them in future programs and/or as promotional broadsides with your permission. We are not able to pay our contributors…yet.

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