There are 30 nonfiction themes in the 21 markets listed here.
Some of the themes are: codebreakers; into space; issues affecting women; cars against humanity; carbon offsets; sinister stories (on writing horror/evil); reimagining techno-optimism; tender; migration; gardening stories; and coin collecting. A few also publish creative work. Some have pitch/submission deadlines specified, but some do not. – S. Kalekar
Writer’s Digest: At a Crossroads; Sinister Stories; For All Ages column
This print and online magazine aims to “keep readers abreast of industry trends, of the latest writers who found success and what they did to achieve it, and of innovative ways to improve and empower the inner raconteur” of their readers. They consider completed manuscripts on spec, as well as original pitches. They say writers should allow 2-4 months for a response. They have a few themes listed, including these:
— At a Crossroads, for July/August 2022: “Writers will inevitably hit a crossroads where they have to decide how to move forward, either in the drafting of a work-in-progress or in making choices about their career. Or, perhaps your work is at the intersection of two or more genres. This issue aims to help writers work through the tough parts of writing.”
— Sinister Stories, for September/October 2022: “This issue is exactly what it sounds like: How to write the creepy, the horrific, the unsettling, the evil in fiction and nonfiction. Plus, how to identify and avoid potential scams or those who would take advantage of writers on the business side.”
There are other issue themes listed, as well.
Apart from this, they have a new column, ‘For All Ages’: “Beginning in the March/April 2022 issue of Writer’s Digest, we’ll include a new 1,200-word, guest-written column about the craft of writing and the business of publishing for children, middle grade, and young adult readers (though we argue those books can and should be enjoyed by adults as well). With six issues per year, two issues will focus on children’s books, two will focus on middle grade, and two will focus on YA. Topics should be specific and written by those with experience in that area. Examples include: rhyming or page turns in picture books, advice for setting up school visits to connect with readers, using accurate and contemporary language and references for YA, etc.”
Apart from this column, they have several departments where writers can pitch: Inkwell, 300-1,000 words (best place for a new writer to break in – often an opinion-based piece, weaving a narrative and drawing out tips for readers; can discuss theoretical or timely concepts; trends, humor, insight on news that will still be relevant when our next issue hits stores, weird and intriguing tidbits about the writing world, as well as features); 5-minute memoir, 600 words (reflections on writing life); writing technique articles, 1,000-2,400 words, as well as market reports and other features. There are other columns too – WD 101, and The MFA Workbook. For the print magazine, pay is $0.30-0.50/word. They don’t pay for online content unless it is unique and highly focused, in which case they pay $50-100. Details here (guidelines) and here (themes).
Muse Magazine: Codebreakers; Into Space; Incredible Journeys
Cricket Media’s Muse Magazine, a science and discovery magazine for readers ages 9-14, wants “fresh and entertaining articles from the fields of science, technology, engineering, art, and math”. Articles are commissioned, and they accept queries on these. They publish feature articles; profiles and Interviews, particularly of underrepresented STEM professionals; activities and experiments; photo essays; science fiction or science-focused fiction; and infographics. They’ve announced themes for their 2023 issues.
— January: Codebreakers. Queries by June 15, 2022. “An inside look at code making and breaking.
Creating an effective code; types of codes, ciphers, and cryptography; how to break a code by searching for patterns; mathematics and computer science in modern cryptography; codes used in wartime; the Navajo Code Talkers and Choctaw Code Talkers; the story of Alan Turing and the importance of Ultra to the Allied victory; profile of Elizebeth Smith Friedman; code devices; computer codes; breaking the code of DNA; secret signs used in baseball and other sports; hidden meanings in logos; how spies slip coded messages into songs, poems, and crossword puzzles; coded messages in art and literature.”
— February: Into Space. Queries by July 15, 2022. “What are we sending into space and why?
Tiny spaceships that “light sail” through space; research bots that land on asteroids and potential asteroid battlers; swarms of bots as massive space telescopes; unusual objectives of the James Webb Space Telescope; discoveries made with New Horizons; lasers and satellites; private space flight; how NASA is working to get humans to Mars; Perseverance and the search for extraterrestrial microbial life on Mars; European and Chinese space flights to Mars; the new lunar water mission; the rocket that recently crashed into the Moon and how distant space debris sometimes returns; Earth-based space education and simulations for kids and training programs for aspiring astronauts.”
— March: Incredible Journeys. Queries by August 16, 2022. “Animal migration, human migration.
Why species migrate during certain seasons; the effect of climate change on migration patterns; how animals know where to go and how they navigate; migrations of non-migratory animals such as millions of Zambia’s fruit bats; the incredibly long migrations of some birds; dragonfly and butterfly migrations; dispersions of animals before and after natural disasters; overland migration, land-bridge crossings, water rafting, flight, swimming, and human-related transport; the migration of slow-moving animals; technology that scientists use to track animal movement; the International Cooperation for Animal Research Using Space (ICARUS) and the International Space Station; how to safely observe migratory animals; human migration in history and open scientific debates; climate-change-driven migration; the longest journeys in history.” They have other themes listed, as well. Details here.
Cricket Media also has other nonfiction and literary magazines.
The Fuller Project: Issues that affect women
They are looking for freelance pitches on issues that affect women in the US, and globally. According to their pitch template (which you can download from the guidelines page), the articles can fall into these categories: Race, identity, and equality; Caregiving/child care; Economy & labor; Environment/climate justice; Health (including coronavirus/covid-19); Immigration & migration; Politics & policy; Violence against women; or Other. They do not do profiles, essays, or op-eds. They pay competitive rates. Details here.
ereb: Environment in Europe
ereb is a community-based platform “publishing cross-border stories from Europe in a larger sense, in English, French and Italian.” They commission a team of one journalist who can work on cross-border stories, and one photographer, each month. They focus on four themes: climate, tech, migration, and identities. A recent Tweet by the magazine says, “Journalists and photographers out there: ereb is looking for environment related pitches for this month’s selection!” The pitch deadline for this month is 18 May 2022. Pay is up to 1,000 Euros per story (this is all charges, including text, image, and travel – see their general guidelines).
Consequence Forum: Human consequences of war and geopolitical violence
They publish work on the human consequences of war and geopolitical violence. “We’ve often been told that the truth is in the details. … When it comes to things we experience in times of war/geopolitical conflict, or as a result of such conflict, some details become fuzzy and shift out of focus, for reasons ranging from traumatic injury to defense mechanisms to the simple passage of time. Other details maintain—or even increase in—clarity, as if to tether us to reality. These are the details we’re interested in exploring in our flash nonfiction series. … zoom in on one specific sensory detail that makes your experience of war/geopolitical conflict true, the detail that’s been imprinted on your memory forever.” They are looking for flash creative nonfiction only, of 500-900 words. All other genres are closed. Pay is $25, and the deadline is 1 June 2022. Details here.
Scorched Earth Press: Cars Against Humanity anthology
This is a nonfiction anthology, “to illuminate the many ways in which cars, and the infrastructure built to support them, constrict (human) life.” They especially welcome submissions that address the peculiarities of a local transit culture, submissions by people who don’t think of themselves as writers or scholars, and work by authors outside the global North. Although essays may contain a personal element, contributions should focus on description and exploration of the anti-life ecology created by cars. Topics might include: roadkill disposal work, how cars change laws, highway geographies and urban segregation, the impact of cars and roads on multi-species worlds, cars as housing, and other themes. They want essays of 500-4,500 words, and pay $50. The deadline is 1 June 2022. Details here.
Moganbay.org: Special reporting project – Carbon offsets
This environmental journalism and education website is accepting pitches about carbon offsets on a rolling basis, from journalists worldwide. They want “proposals from experienced journalists for conventional news stories, features, investigative reports, case studies and short video packages of up to 10 minutes.” The objective of this series on carbon offset programs is to “improve our understanding of these schemes and how effective they are in achieving climate goals, the key players involved in their financing and regulation, and the actions of groups offering carbon offsets for sale in national and regional carbon trading markets.” They have extensive guidelines, and have some topic suggestions, including: Reforestation projects that have signed up with accredited carbon offset bodies; Case studies of corporations using carbon offset schemes. Have they been meeting their commitments?; Impacts of emissions trading schemes on communities living near polluters; and Schemes that use emissions trading or offset credits to greenwash products. Pay varies, for stories of 800-2,000 words. Details here.
(Also see the International Journalists’ Network for more opportunities and resources for journalists.)
The Victorian Writer: Tapestry
Writers Victoria is an Australian not-for-profit charity that supports and advocates for writers, illustrators, editors and literary-sector workers to be paid for the work that they do. They are accepting pitches of their in-house magazine, The Victorian Writer. For their September-November 2022 issue, the theme is ‘Tapestry’. “We publish poems (AUD70), and articles of 600 words (AUD100) and 1200 words (AUD200) in the print edition with particular interest in the craft of writing and the writing life.” Submissions for this theme will now close on 6 June 2022. Details here. (They’ve have another theme listed as well – Unravel – with a deadline later in the year; and they have a fellowship for Victoria-based emerging writers with disabilities.)
Ploughshares: Blog pitches
Ploughshares is a prestigious literary magazine housed at Emerson College. They are currently accepting pitches for their blog. They have extensive guidelines for proposals on critical essays (analysis of literature, both mainstream and niche), personal essays (should have a tie to literature), blended longform essays (blend of literary criticism and personal essay), interviews of authors/individuals connected to the publishing industry, and book reviews (their reviews are published prior to book publication dates). Do not send completed drafts. Pay is $25 for book reviews, and starts at $35 for personal essays and interviews, and at $55 for blended essays. Details here.
(The regular submission period for their literary magazine begins 1 June 2022; online submissions are charged, but there is no fee for mailed submissions. They also publish Solos and Look2 Essays. All of these pay up to $450.)
Antithesis: Tender
Antithesis is an Australian literary magazine and they’re accepting work on the ‘Tender’ theme. For creative nonfiction/personal essays/memoir, of up to 3,000 words, they recommend that writers email pitches (see the nonfiction category in Submittable). They want creative nonfiction, personal essays, memoir, critiques, discussions, interviews, cultural commentary, articles and reviews of books, films, exhibitions, performances, etc. up to 3,000 words. They also accept fiction, poetry, and artwork, including graphic narrative. They have extensive guidelines on the theme, including “How does it shape societies, families, our sense of self, and the world around us? Would our lives be any better if we all just showed a little more tenderness?” They want “diverse voices that showcase what tenderness looks like in 2022 and beyond. What can we learn from the past, and what can we change for the future?” Pay is AUD50 for contributors to the print magazine, and the final submission deadline is 12 June 2022. There is no pay for blog submissions. Details here (general guidelines) and here (Submittable).
the other side of hope: Migration
This is a journal of refugee and immigrant literature. They accept non-fiction, book reviews, and author interview submissions from all writers on the theme of migration – “We accept narrative non-fiction, short essays, creative ethnography, memoir, criticism, reportage, and travelogue. The suggested word limit is between 2,000 to 5,000 words. Please send us up to two pieces in a single file.” Fiction and poetry, which are unthemed, are open to refugees, asylum seekers, and immigrants only. They publish one issue online, and one in print. Pay is £100 per published author in the print issue, and £50 per published author in the online issue, and £300 for cover art. Authors who are seeking asylum will receive a £100/£50 online gift card. The deadline is 31 May 2022. Details here.
The Republic: Artists/cultural practitioners focusing on Africa/African Diaspora
The Republic is a new publication providing in-depth coverage of underreported stories and issues affecting Nigerians and Africans at large. Their managing editor has Tweeted, “accepting pitches for profiles of artists (painters, musicians, writers etc) and cultural practitioners with a focus on Africa and the African diaspora. Paying $150.” Also, “Stories will typically explore culture from a political lens e.g. how the artist’s politics (relationship with race, sexuality, gender, migration or other social/political issues) has evolved along with their person and their art.” Pitch deadline is 31 May 2022.
Maclean’s: Narratives about Canada, and more
Maclean’s is a Canadian current affairs magazine. Their digital editor is looking for (nonfiction/journalism) pitches for the website – “compelling narratives about the country, good writing that helps life here make sense, and stories that amplify underrepresented voices. all of that is intentionally broad!” The editor is particularly looking to work with younger/less experienced writers who are looking for solid bylines, with BIPOC and LGBTQ2+ writers, though all writers can pitch. Pay is CAD300-500 for stories of 800-1,000 words (there is some flexibility). Details in the Twitter thread here.
Kernel: Reimagining techno-optimism
This magazine publishes both nonfiction and creative work (stories and poetry). “Kernel is the flagship print magazine of Reboot, a publication and community reimagining techno-optimism for a better collective future.” They have a Twitter thread on the kind of work they want for their second issue, including “we believe tech exists within broader systems of power, and that understanding these systems & individual actors within them is critical to driving material change.” For nonfiction – essays as well as alternative formats like interviews, they have extensive guidelines, including “We want to see work about the ideas, movements, people, and tools that might bring us to the future. Almost any topic related to technology is of interest to us; that said, we’re especially excited to see work on climate, labor, and technology in a non-US/non-Western setting.” Pay is $100-300 for nonfiction, and the pitch deadline is 16 May 2022. For creative work, they want completed work, pay $50-300, and the submission deadline is 30 June 2022. Details here (Twitter thread), here (nonfiction pitch guidelines and submission form), and here (creative work guidelines and submission form).
Briarpatch: The Labour Issue; Disability justice in Saskatchewan
This Canadian magazine “publishes writing and artwork on a wide range of topics, including current events, grassroots activism, electoral politics, economic justice, ecology, labour, food security, gender equity, Indigenous struggles, international solidarity, and other issues of political importance.” They’re reading pitches for the Labour issue. Pay is CAD150 for profiles, short essays, reviews and reading lists, online-only articles, and parting shots (generally 1,500 words or less); CAD250 for feature stories (generally 1,500-2,000 words) and photo essays; and CAD350 for research-based articles and investigative reporting with extensive primary research (generally 2,000-2,500 words). Pitch deadline is 1 July 2022 for the Labour theme. Details here.
(And though they are not opening general submissions for their Disability Justice issue, they are accepting submissions of visual art from disabled people in Canada. Also, they’re publishing a special disability justice issue of the Sask Dispatch, which will include a handful of articles about disability justice in Saskatchewan, and the pitch deadline for that is 15 May 2022. Details here.)
New Socialist: Class
This is an independent, online socialist magazine based in Britain, and they’re reading submissions on the ‘Class’ theme, including book reviews and work for their ‘Culture is Ordinary’ section (“These do not have to be linked to class, but should be broadly cultural in focus, and of interest to New Socialist’s audience”). They have extensive guidelines. As of May 2022, their payment rates are: Edition essays – £100; Culture is Ordinary – £50; Books: £75. The pitch deadline is 12 June 2022. Details here.
New Mexico Magazine: Native pottery; Wine getaways; and more
They want article ideas about New Mexico experiences, with opinionated storytelling and a first-person point of view when appropriate. The story should capture a place in such a way that readers are inspired to follow in the writer’s footsteps. They want to publish a lively editorial mix, covering both the down-home and the upscale. According to their media kit, the theme for their August issue is Native pottery; for September, it is Wine getaways. There are other themes listed, as well. Pay is $0.35-0.40/word for the magazine. Also see guidelines for photographers and multi-media contributors. Details here (guidelines) and here (2022 Media kit/themes – scroll down).
GreenPrints: Your True Personal Gardening Stories
This US-based magazine publishes true personal gardening stories – “the absolute best true stories of gardeners from all across the country.” They have extensive guidelines about the kind of work they want, including “Expressive, thoughtful, humorous, angry, contrite, flippant, searching, witty, observant, sad, inviting— whatever! We focus on the human, not how-to side of gardening. On the people as well as the plants.” Send submissions of up to 2,000 words. Payment is $100-150. The deadline is 18 May 2022. Details here.
Pacific Yatching: Summer cruising/classic boats; Autumn cruising; Fall maintenance; Chartering the world
This is a magazine for the boating community – powerboaters and sailors – in B.C. and the Pacific Northwest. They specially want destination pieces, how-to articles, seamanship pieces and articles of general interest to boaters cruising the West Coast. Their guidelines say, “Many of our stories have a “hands-on” feel to them. The reader shares the experience with the writer, and is encouraged to “follow in the author’s wake.” While precise nautical and technical information is important, colourful anecdotes bring the story to life. Both are important. In other words, our reader wants you to balance meaty navigational and technical details with first-person observations, blending the practical with the romantic.” They accept both features and department pieces, and accept both completed manuscripts (preferred), and queries. Queries with strong photos will get attention faster. The key theme for August is Summer cruising/classic boats; for September, it is Autumn cruising; for October, it is Fall maintenance; and for November 2022, it is Chartering the world. There are other themes listed as well. Details here (guidelines) and here (Media kit).
Experience Life: We’ve Got This
This is a health/fitness/quality-of-life magazine that is published 10 times a year. Apart from three in-depth features (2,500-3,500 words), they have other departments that need shorter pieces: Front of Book, Real Fitness, Real Food, Feature Well, Real Life, and Back of Book. They plan issues well in advance. For December 2022, the theme is ‘We’ve Got This’. Their guidelines say, “In whatever form it takes, community is a key to our individual and societal well-being. With some tips on enhancing our kindness, empathy, and compassion, we can wrap up the year feeling like we’re ready to make the world a better place in 2023.” They have other themes listed. Details here (guidelines) and here (Editorial Calendar/Media Kit).
COINage Magazine: Coin collecting and investing
The magazine caters to experienced and novice coin collectors, as well as investors. “We are particularly interested in fresh articles that put the past into perspective with the present. We also accept articles pertaining to coin auction and show coverage, currency, errors, modern and proof coinage, precious metals and bullion, commemoratives, ancients, colonials and historic numismatic figures. Also welcome are articles that educate beginning collectors or investors and promote active participation in the hobby.” Query first. They pay $250 for full-length features of 2,000 or more words with photographs. Details here.
Bio: S. Kalekar is the pseudonym of a regular contributor to this magazine. She can be reached here.
