2026 Issue 4 Callout

CALLOUT FOR VOLUME 18, 2026, ISSUE 4: SYMBOL

Due 1st July 2026!

 

“Symbols are powerful because they are the visible signs of invisible realities” - Saint Augustine 

 

A symbol can be many things. A mark, a sign, a word, an animal, a person, or something singular, that indicates, signifies or represents an idea, an object, a faith, or even a mathematical formula. It is difficult to encompass all of what a symbol can be. Symbols are incredibly powerful in conveying information in our society. If you see a cute heart, you’re bound to think of love. If someone asks you what a four-leaf clover represents, you’ll most likely say “luck” just like everyone else would. Numerals are symbols for numbers that represent certain values, and letters of an alphabet represent certain phonemes that we read and write. Symbols can be used in art as physical things to represent concepts or ideas, and they can be used to form a legend for a map. 

 

There’s really no end to what a symbol can be or how powerful its reach is. The swastika, for example, is a Hindu symbol of good fortune and prosperity, yet also represents the Nazi party of the 1930s. What does that mean for us when the meaning we give things can change so drastically at any time?

 

Let's explore ancient symbols and their significance to us, and how integral they are to being human. Why is it that a simple number or image can unite us all together in meaning and emotion? 

 

So maybe you wish to write about the most fascinating alphabets in the world, the hieroglyphics and their long history. Perhaps you want to take a deep dive into the logo of your favourite (or least favourite) company and discuss its role in society. Maybe you want to write on your favourite horror story and how it uses symbols to incite fear, or your favourite love poem that makes you swoon. Or do you want to write about the red string theory, a symbol of destined love? The opportunities are endless, just like the symbols all around us. From childhood bands and fictional characters, to ancient civilisations and astrology, find your symbol and tell us all about it!

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Submissions are due Wednesday, 1st July, 2026 

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WHO CAN SUBMIT?

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We welcome submissions from any and all currently enrolled Macquarie University students. 

 

All types of submissions are welcome, for publication in the physical magazine, on the website, and in our newsletter,  Grapevine. If we cannot publish your piece in the physical magazine, we will do our best to publish it online, though this cannot be guaranteed.

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Each physical magazine has a theme, which is used as a means to inspire and provoke thoughts, opinions, and questions surrounding a particular concept. Although Feature articles must be directly related to the issue’s theme, submissions for other sections (especially in News) need not adhere to the theme.

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If you submit work, be prepared to work with a Section Editor from the Grapeshot team to make structural changes to your article if the editor thinks that is necessary.

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THE SECTIONS OF THE MAGAZINE

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If you want to submit a piece for publication, think about what section you would like your piece to be in. Physical Grapeshot magazines are divided into the following sections: 

 

NEWS

Short news pieces, campus news, and national and international feature-length pieces that might be of concern to MQU students.

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FEATURES

Lengthier topic-specific articles which have a ‘human side’ to them, soft news pieces, personal essays and memoir pieces. 

 

CREATIVES

This section houses works from our talented creatives on campus. It includes fictional short stories, poetry, artwork, photography, comics, etc.

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VARIEGATED

Fun, short and miscellaneous. Variegated is where we put the pieces that don’t fit in other sections but are just too good to pass up. This includes short biographical pieces and fun articles.

 

REPEAT OFFENDERS

Recurring sections with a theme or objective. These include MOB, Pop-culture rewind, Challenge, I Don't get it, You Are Here, Nic’s Flix, Grapey Book Club, Horoscopes, Grapey Playlist, Aunty Grapeshot and more.

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Sometimes it is a bit of a blurry line between a feature article and a news piece, or a review and an opinion piece. Your opinion and intention as the creator of the piece is therefore most important to how we decide where to place your submission within the magazine. Think about including this in the body of your submission email.

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HOW TO SUBMIT

 

Written Articles/Creative Pieces:

• Save the word document as titleofpiece_yourname.docx

  • ​Example: NationalNews-Ukraine_NikitaByrnes.docx

• ​Email the article to grapeshot@mq.edu.au with the subject line: “Issue #[X]  Submission + [Composer’s Name] + [Form of Work]”. 

  • Example: Issue #4 Submission Nikita Byrnes News Article 

 

Other Types of Submissions: 

• Grapeshot welcomes all types of creative works, especially if they fit the theme of our upcoming issue! 

• “Other Types of Submissions” encompasses visual works that can be printed:  photo essays, and physical and digital artworks. 

• Please send an email to grapeshot@mq.edu.au and in the email write a short synopsis of: who you are, and what your work is about/showing. Indicate your interest to be published in the upcoming issue. We will get back to you about what form in which to send your work through.

• Be prepared to work with a design assistant or the Creatives Section Editor to make sure your work is published in the way most faithful to your intention!​

 

WORD LENGTH

 

Our word count is flexible but for a general guide:

• 1-page in our magazine = approximately 800 – 1000 words.

• 2-page spread = 1200 – 1800 words.

• 3-pages and above = over 2000 words. 

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Works exceeding 4 pages are unlikely to be published in print but may be published in our magazine.

Send submissions to grapeshot@mq.edu.au

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*A reminder also that only Macquarie University students can contribute, so please submit your articles using your Macquarie University student email in order to be eligible for publication.