About the Journal: Where Scholarly Minds Meet Creative Expression.

The Bind is the creative journal of the Prairie View A&M University Honors College, a platform dedicated to showcasing the artistic and literary talents of our honors students. Just as the bind is the backbone of a book, holding every page together and giving structure to the story within, this journal brings together the diverse creative voices of our honors community into a single, cohesive work. We believe that intellectual rigor and creative expression are not separate pursuits but deeply intertwined.

The Bind celebrates the full spectrum of who our students are: thinkers, makers, writers, and visionaries. Whether through poetry, prose, photography, visual art, or multimedia, this journal is a space where honors students can share work that reflects their imagination, perspective, and craft. Each volume is curated by an editorial board of honors students, ensuring that the journal remains a publication made by and for the students of the PVAMU Honors College.

*Poetry

Original poems in any form:  free verse, spoken word, sonnets, haiku, experimental, and beyond.

*Short Fiction

Short stories, flash fiction, and narrative prose that transport, challenge, or illuminate.

*Creative Nonfiction

Personal essays, memoir excerpts, literary journalism, and reflective nonfiction.

*Visual Art

Paintings, illustrations, digital art, mixed media, graphic design, and other visual works.

*Photography

Original photography across all styles:  documentary, portrait, landscape, conceptual, and abstract.

*Open Media

Music, multimedia projects, and other creative works that defy a single category.

Submission Guidelines

Eligibility

All students currently enrolled in the PVAMU Honors College are eligible to submit work for consideration. Submissions must be original and previously unpublished.

Submission Limits

  • Poetry: Up to three (3) submissions
  • Short Fiction: One (1) submission, 2,000-word maximum
  • Creative Nonfiction: One (1) submission, 2,000-word maximum
  • Visual Art & Photography: Up to three (3) submissions each, 300 ppi minimum resolution
  • Open Media: Up to two (2) submissions

Formatting

Literary submissions should be submitted as .docx or PDF files with standard formatting (12pt font, double-spaced). Visual submissions should be high-resolution files (JPEG, PNG, or TIFF at 300 ppi minimum). All submissions must include a title and should not contain the author’s name on the work itself to ensure blind review.

Review Process

All submissions are reviewed by the student editorial board through a blind review process. Selected works will be published in the annual volume of The Bind. Contributors will be notified of editorial decisions via their PVAMU email.

Questions?

Direct all submission questions to the Honors College at honorscollege@pvamu.edu.