Throughout history, new technologies have reshaped the way people create, communicate, and share ideas. The printing press transformed access to literature and art and became central to the Reformation. Centuries later, the personal computer and word processing software revolutionized how writers draft and revise, just as digital tools like Photoshop and tablets have become indispensable for artists today. Each of these innovations was once groundbreaking, even unsettling, and each required discernment in its time.

As a Christian Lutheran university with deep ties to the printing press, we are mindful of the importance of making wise and honorable decisions about the technologies of our own time. Generative AI is one such advancement, and we approach it with care and prudence.

In uncertain times, it is helpful to focus on what we value and why we value them:

• We affirm that creativity reflects the love of the Creator in making us in His image and is a gift to be celebrated.
• We believe that art and literature are most meaningful when they are shaped by human imagination, voice, and vision.
• We hold that technology should serve the artist as a tool.
• We value transparency in the creative process as a way of preserving integrity and fairness.
• We recognize that AI-assisted tools and other technologies may shape the creative process differently for contributors with disabilities or differing needs.
• We honor the editorial partnership between contributors and editors, working together to bring each piece to publishable quality.

Guidelines for Contributors:

• All submissions must include a brief disclosure of whether and how generative AI tools were used on the title page.
• Disclosure is for editorial understanding only and will not automatically affect publication decisions.
• Contributors may also state that their work is fully crafted without the use of GenAI.

We recognize that for some contributors, including those with disabilities or differing needs, AI-assisted tools and other technologies may shape the creative process in different ways. Our guidelines aim to honor creative integrity while ensuring fair and accessible participation.

As the Literary and Art Selection Committee, we seek to honor this human-technological balance by promoting the strongest artistic work, work that showcases imagination and craft while treating technology as a tool that supports rather than replaces human creativity.

Deadline for submissions: Friday, December 5th at midnight.
Open to all Concordia students, faculty, and staff

1. Submit no more than 5 pieces.
2. All submissions must have a title.
3. Studio art submissions that are accepted for inclusion must be available for the designer to scan or photograph.
4. Digital artworks (graphic design, photography) that are selected must be available at high resolution.
5. One detail image per entry may be included and should be labeled as such.

How to Submit

Entries must be received by Friday, December 5th at midnight. Art entries should be emailed with the attachment(s) to concordia.aerie.art@gmail.com. Current Concordia students should use their Eagles email account (firstname_lastname@eagles.cui.edu).

The subject line should read Aerie Art Submission

The email should include the following:

• the author’s name
• graduation date (past or anticipated)
• title of artwork
• artwork’s media
• phone number
• AI disclosure statement (if used)

Each image file must be named with the artist’s name, title, and medium, e.g., jane-smith_growth_acrylic. More than one file may be attached to the same email.

The jurors select the artworks to be included in The Aerie publication from the images submitted. Notification of selected and non-selected work will be sent via email.

Please be sure to note our statement on Generative AI prior to submitting.

Deadline for submissions: Friday, December 5th at midnight.
Open to all Concordia students, faculty, and staff

Length limits (per piece submitted):
1500 words for:

• drama
• short fiction, and
• creative nonfiction

40 lines for:

• poetry
• a song written in poetic form (without musical notation)

1 page for:

• a song in musical notation. Music notation must follow standard format found in this style guide.

Submit no more than:

• five poems and/or two prose pieces
• two songs

Submissions that are accepted for inclusion in The Aerie may be edited for length and technical accuracy. All submissions must have a title. Thoroughly proofread your work.

How To Submit

To facilitate a blind reading process for literary submissions, each submission must have a cover sheet that lists:

• the author's name
• title of the work
• genre (fiction, nonfiction, etc.)
• author's contact information
• AI disclosure statement (if used)

The author's name should not appear on the piece itself.

Entries must be received by Friday, December 5th at midnight. Literary entries should be emailed with the attachment(s) to concordia.aerie.lit@gmail.com. Current Concordia students should use their Eagles email account (firstname_lastname@eagles.cui.edu).

The subject line should read: Aerie Submission

The email should include:

• the author's name
• agraduation date (past or anticipated)
• title of creative piece(s)
• genre(s)
• phone number

The attached document must be a .doc or .docx file. The file name should be the author's last name. More than one poem or story may be attached to the same email. Notification of selected and non-selected work will be sent via email.

Please be sure to note our statement on Generative AI prior to submitting.