Scope and Focus
Focus of the Journal
SalingDiwa: A Literary Journal is an international literary publication dedicated to advancing creative expression, literary excellence, and intercultural understanding through original works of literature.
Rooted in Filipino literary heritage and open to diverse global perspectives, the journal provides a platform for emerging and established writers to explore human experiences, cultural identities, social realities, historical memories, and imaginative possibilities.
SalingDiwa recognizes literature as a vital expression of human creativity, intellectual reflection, and cultural consciousness. It seeks to foster meaningful literary dialogue across languages, traditions, generations, and geographical boundaries.
Scope of Publication
The journal welcomes original, unpublished literary works in the following categories:
1. Poetry
Original poems exploring personal, cultural, philosophical, historical, environmental, and social themes. The journal welcomes both traditional and contemporary poetic forms, including free verse, lyrical poetry, narrative poetry, and experimental compositions.
2. Short Stories
Original works of short fiction demonstrating narrative creativity, literary craftsmanship, and meaningful engagement with human experiences. Submissions may encompass literary realism, historical fiction, speculative fiction, and other imaginative approaches.
3. Creative Nonfiction
Literary works grounded in factual experiences and events, including personal essays, memoirs, reflective narratives, travel writing, and other forms of creative nonfiction that combine factual integrity with artistic expression.
4. Literary Essays
Critical, reflective, and interpretive essays examining literature, literary traditions, creative practices, cultural narratives, and the relationship between literature and contemporary society.
5. Literary Translation
Translations of literary works that promote cross-cultural understanding and expand access to literary traditions across languages. Submissions must include proper acknowledgment of the original author and source material, together with the necessary translation and publication permissions.
6. Experimental Literature
Innovative literary works that explore unconventional forms, structures, language, and modes of storytelling while maintaining artistic coherence and literary significance.
Thematic Interests
SalingDiwa welcomes literary works engaging with a broad range of themes, including but not limited to:
Filipino identity, heritage, and cultural traditions
Memory, history, and intergenerational experiences
Human dignity, relationships, and personal identity
Migration, diaspora, and intercultural encounters
Faith, spirituality, philosophy, and existential reflection
Social realities, justice, and human experiences
Environment, sustainability, and the relationship between humanity and nature
Language, translation, and cultural transformation
Contemporary life, technology, and changing societies
Imagination, creativity, and literary experimentation
Language of Publication
The journal welcomes literary submissions in English and Filipino, including works that thoughtfully incorporate Philippine regional languages or multilingual literary expression.
Submissions containing substantial passages in other languages may be considered when accompanied by appropriate translations or explanatory context to facilitate editorial assessment and accessibility.
Editorial Considerations
Submissions are evaluated based on literary originality, artistic quality, thematic relevance, clarity of expression, cultural sensitivity, and contribution to meaningful literary discourse.
SalingDiwa encourages submissions from writers of diverse academic, professional, cultural, and geographical backgrounds.
The journal does not restrict publication to academic authors and welcomes independent writers, emerging literary voices, and established literary practitioners.
Publication Frequency
SalingDiwa is published biannually, with two regular issues each year.
The journal seeks to maintain a balanced representation of literary genres, cultural perspectives, and creative approaches in every published issue.