By S. Kalekar
These are calls for themed non-fiction pitches or submissions. Some of the themes are: What keeps us up at night as parents?; climate; game histories; war; obsession; Miracles, messages from heaven & angels; Chinese tech and its global impact; independent publishing; and perspectives in translation.
Motherwell
They publish work on parenting-related themes. They’re accepting submissions on these themes (see ‘Current call for submissions’):
“What keeps us up at night as parents? Topics might include: raising kids in a digital world as well as a comparative culture; parenting from a place of calm rather than self-doubt and anxiety; keeping our kids safe; adjusting expectations as our children experience life’s hardships and challenges.
What it means to navigate our identities and life changes as kids get older. Topics might include: how divorce or the shifting of relationships affects us; reclaiming purpose/redefining ourselves as women; balancing the role of caring for older kids and older parents; adapting to dynamics as our families regenerate, evolve and grow.
All formats welcome; suggested word count up to 1,200. Completed essays only and please include word count.” They’re open for other themes / formats too, including personal essays on parenting, on holidays as a parent, and more. Please note, they do not pay for certain formats (see guidelines). Details here.
The Suburban Review: Climate
This Australian literary magazine wants submissions on the Climate theme. “Tell us about the temperature of your world, the climate of the sociopolitical sphere, the degrees of the biome. Send us your glacial essays, hot and humid fiction, scorching arid poetry and art and comics that radiate long after reading.
What are you weathering right now? What’s pressurising your atmosphere? What are the conditions of the land you live on? We want balmy descriptions, shivering accounts and stormy tales.” They publish nonfiction (1,250-2,000 words), as well as fiction, poetry, comics, and art. They pay AUD400 for nonfiction, AUD300-450 for fiction, and AUD300-550 for poetry. The deadline is 3 August 2025 (5 p.m. AEDT). Details here and here.
BlackFlash Magazine: Patterns
BlackFlash Magazine is a Canada-based magazine of contemporary visual art publishing “critical opinions, urgent issues, and innovative ideas about divergent artistic practices from across Canada, the United States and beyond.” They want pitches on the Patterns theme and have detailed guidelines, including, “we invite critical engagements with “patterns” as a method for creating and parsing visual culture. We’re interested in pitches that examine how patterns are identified, circulated, and aestheticized; how biases take shape and unravel; how rituals are preserved through practice; how trends emerge, evolve, and are named.“ Pitches for features (2,000-2,500 words, pays $1,000), conversations (2,500-3,000 word conversation between you and an artist, writer, or organizer; pays $750 to the writer and $150 to the interviewee), artist profiles (1,500 words, pays $600), and artist projects (500 words + a portfolio of images, pays $450 to the artist) will be accepted until July 25, 2025. Details here.
Consequence Forum
They address the human consequences of war and geopolitical violence through literature and art. They accept nonfiction, fiction, poetry, and art. For this issue, their translation feature is The Congo, for which they have detailed guidelines, including, “The Democratic Republic of the Congo is facing one of the world’s deadliest and most underreported humanitarian crises with millions displaced by armed conflict, political instability, and resource-driven violence. In this moment, we call on translators to help bear witness, to bring forth voices from the region that speak to the realities of war and its human cost, as well as to survival and hope. For our Volume 18.1 Translations feature, Consequence invites literary translations from the languages of the Congo into English—especially from Lingala, Swahili, Tshiluba, Kikongo, Kinyarwanda, and French—that engage with the lived realities and long shadows of war, colonialism, extraction, and displacement in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the broader Congo Basin.
We welcome poetry, short fiction, nonfiction, oral histories, personal essays—whether historical or ongoing, collective or deeply personal.”
They pay $20-50 for writing. They opened for submissions in 15th July, and the deadline is 15th October 2025. Details here and here.
The Bee
They want pitches (not submissions) from people of working-class background in the UK. The Bee is a UK-based “literary magazine, an online platform, a podcast, and the heart of a writing community. Our mission is to nurture, publish and promote the best new working-class writing by new and established working-class writers and visual artists.” Their first issue will be released in Autumn 2025. For the current call, they say, “We are looking for fiction (any genre), narrative non-fiction, non-fiction and journalism that captures something about being working class in Britain in 2025. This could be a feeling, or something you observe, or an experience. We’re particularly interested in stories about joy, community and hope. Your story can be any length from 500 to 3,000 words. It could be anything from a description of something to a short story.” They pay 30p. per word for nonfiction up to 1,000 words, and agreed-upon rates for longer works. For fiction, they pay a flat rate of £400 per story, regardless of length. See their pay rates here. Pitching is via a form on their website. The pitch deadline is 11 August 2025 (see guidelines). Details here.
ROMchip: A Journal of Game Histories
They’ve now got a Freelancer Fund, and are accepting freelance pitches on a rolling basis for their Interviews (5K–9K word edited transcripts based on original interviews or oral histories), Materials (essays or experimental formats, focused on new archival discoveries, object preservation, or unique game history artifacts) and Translations (of historical materials, significant non-English scholarship, or English-language ROMchipcontent into other languages) sections. This initiative is designed to support original work by independent researchers, preservationists, game makers, and public historians with significant expertise in the field of game history.” And, “This opportunity is intended for writers without formal academic appointments. We welcome freelance journalists and editors, part-time or independent game developers with an active writing/research practice, and citizen historians and preservationists. We do not currently accept pitches to the Freelancer Fund from graduate students or academic faculty. International writers are welcome, but we cannot disburse funds to banks in India, China, or countries on the U.S. sanctions list (as required by our fiscal sponsor).” They pay $250–$600. Details here. See the pitch call on BlueSky here.
American Craft: Adventure
This is a magazine about American craft and its makers. They publish reported articles, essays, and opinion pieces. “From the handmade that we use in our homes every day to the fine craft honored in museums, we cover inspiring craft being made today. We also showcase craft organizations making a difference in their communities, thought leadership in the field, and the importance of craft in contemporary American culture.” They publish articles, essays, and opinion pieces – on artists, craft that brings together a community, handmade goods, galleries, and much more. For Spring 2026, they will publish work on the Adventure theme (please see their detailed guidelines on the theme); the issue will also have special coverage, and the themes for those are: travel; ceramics; and glass. Stories for American Craftare generally assigned at 400-2,000 words; pitch via the form on their guidelines page. Their pay is $0.50–$1.00/word.Pitches for the Adventure theme are due 11 August 2025. Detailshere (scroll down for theme details).
(American Craft is also open for pitches on other themes – Revolution, due 10th November; and Work, due 9th February 2026.)
MIT Technology Review: Breakthroughs
For their print issue in January/February 2026, the theme is Breakthroughs. They run short news stories and profiles (500-800 words), op-eds, and data spreads in the front of the book and essaysand book reviews in the back of the book (usually around 2,000 words) for the print issue. They also publish narrative features, investigations, big profiles, and reported essays (generally between 2,500-4,000 words); the features are around the issue theme. “Rates range from $1 to $2 per word, depending on the experience level of the writer, the story, and the publication route. Deeply reported features pay more than shorter news pieces” and according to their general guide, the rough pitch deadline for the Breakthroughs theme is mid-late July/early August 2025. Their general pitch guide is here; scroll to the end for themes.
Geist: A Fold in Time – ‘90s
“Geist is a magazine of ideas and culture with a strong literary focus and a sense of humour.” They accept work from Canadian writers only. They charge for general submissions but Canadians who are Black writers, Indigenous writers and writers of colour need not pay a fee (see guidelines / the relevant category in Submittable). They’re reading submissions for A Fold in Time: ‘90s. “To mark 35 years of Geist, we’re seeking submissions inspired by the ’90s—a decade caught between analog and digital worlds, rom-com optimism and millennial anxiety. What survives from that era in our attention spans, dreams, aesthetics, or modes of resistance? We want work that reflects, reimagines, repairs—or revels in the glittering angst of it all.” They accept non-fiction (up to 5,000 words), fiction, comics, poetry, and hybrid forms. They pay CAD50-1,000. The deadline is 1 August 2025. Details here, here, and here.
Business Insider: Lifestyle pitches
An editor has issued a call for first-person pitches for a few themes for their Lifestyle section, for Business Insider:
“- Unique ways Gen Z spends their time on the weekends
– “Unconventional” but awesome living situations (Did you buy a house with your friends, spend an extended amount of time living with your in-laws, move to a remote area, etc.)
– Big moves that didn’t go as planned – especially abroad
– Travel tips you swear by and why
– Great retirement/career advice from a parent/grandparent/older relative you followed or plan to follow”
Rates start at about $230 for 600 words. Pitching is via a form, which also has examples of the kind of work they’ve published in the past. See the pitch call here.
Brink: Obsession
They accept nonfiction, fiction, poetry, hybrid works, translations, as well as video essays and cinepoetry. They want submissions on theobsession theme. Their general submission guidelines say, “We accept a variety of creative work from every genre and work that resists any genre. We are most interested in work that presses creative boundaries, uses more than one medium to tell a story, and both looks and feels different on the page. Additionally, we look for submissions that engage the theme of each issue alongside the idea of being on the brink.” Regarding the obsession theme, “At first glance, obsession indicates preoccupation. It gestures toward desire. Obsessions command our attention, motivate our actions, and are always top of mind. But the etymology of obsession hints at a different story. The root of the word indicates the action of besieging, or, as we might say in today’s language, sitting. When you obsess, you place yourself before something—an object, a person, an idea, a task. This posture is not passive; it is active. Your presence is an investment. Your presence indicates your desire to absorb, encompass, and command. To learn. Please note, we are not interested in stories of harassment, stalking, or unequal displays of power or abuse.” They pay $25-100, and the deadline is 31 July 2025. Details here and here.
Chicken Soup for the Soul: Miracles, messages from heaven & angels
They publish true stories and true poetry, up to 1,200 words. They’ve posted themes for a few themes. The upcoming deadline is for Miracles, messages from heaven & angels, about “unexplained happenings and occurrences. Stories about miracles, angels, messages from heaven, premonitions, amazing coincidences and other unexplainable but good events! We are looking for powerful, astounding, stories that will make people say “wow” or give them chills. This book is for everyone, whether religious or non-religious.” A few suggested topics are Signs and wonder, Divine intervention, as well as Dreams and premonitions. They do not want stories about people who are “angels” because they do nice things, or eulogies about a loved one who has died and is now an “angel”. They pay $250. The submission deadline is 31 July 2025. Details here and here (also see other tabs on this page, including FAQ).
Rest of World: Chinese tech and its global impact
The editor of Rest of World’s China desk has issued a pitch call: “I’m looking for pitches on Chinese tech and its global impact — AI, EVs, robotics, space race, geopolitics, startups, you name it.” The rate for a typical report of 800-1200 words is $750. See their China desk pitch guide here and the editor’s call here.
The i Paper: Milestones and regrets
The i Paper is UK-based and they publish news, as well as politics, culture, lifestyle, and more. An editor has issued a pitch call: “looking to commission things around milestones and regrets! did you do something before a certain age (marriage, having kids, bought a flat) and now looking back wish you could have done something differently?” See the call here.
Lucky Jefferson: Awake – Homecoming
Awake is a zine by Lucky Jefferson for Black writers and artists only. They want poetry, prose, and art submissions on the Homecoming theme. “”Home” is elusive for many folks in the Black diaspora. We seek to find home in our communities, in our culture, in our bodies, and in each other. Homecoming invites Black writers to reflect lovingly on the spaces, places, and people that have made them feel at home—like they belong. Whether it’s a barber shop in your neighborhood, your auntie’s kitchen table, or your favorite sweater, share a poem expressing your love and devotion. Your work does not need to follow any specific structure, but should celebrate and pay homage to your subject.” This will be a print issue. They pay $15-50, and the deadline is 1 August 2025. Details here and here (see the relevant category in Submittable).
Contemporary Art Review Los Angeles: Winter 2025 issue
They want pitches centred around art in LA. Their pitch call says, “Contemporary Art Review Los Angeles (Carla) is accepting critical essay, review, and interview pitches for our winter 2025 issue through 7/20.” They accept pitches for features ($375, 1,500–2,000 words – Critical discussion of issues relevant to art and culture), interviews ($350, 1,200–1,500 words, with L.A.-based artists or curators), reviews ($200, 650–850 words, must be on view in L.A., or of LA based artist exhibiting in another city). See the pitch call here and pitch guidelines / pitch submission form here.
City AM
City AM is UK-based; they publish business, financial and economic news along with opinion, features, as well as sports and lifestyle content. Their Life & Style editor wants pitches for their upcoming magazine; “We want big, bold, fun, weird ideas, whether it’s a deep-dive into a modern trend or a personal essay on something you’re obsessed with”. See the pitch call / thread for past examples of work they have published; details here.
Poets & Writers: Independent Publishing
They publish articles of interest to emerging and established literary writers. They publish News & Trends, The Literary Life Essays (on the more contemplative aspects of writing, ranging from creative process to the art of reading), The Practical Writer (advice and how-to articles that offer nuts and bolts information about the business of creative writing), and features – articles, essays, profiles, and interviews regarding American literature. According to their section for advertisers, for November/December 2025, the issue theme is ‘Independent Publishing.’ (see ‘Upcoming Issues and Deadlines’ here). They do not publish fiction or poetry, or reviews. They take both, story proposals, and articles on spec, and take 4-6 weeks to respond to queries or manuscripts. Details here (themes) and here (writers’ guidelines).
Oregon Humanities: Consume
They want pitches from Oregon-based writers. For Winter 2025, the theme is Consume. “We’re looking for stories about food and drink, buying and selling, waste and conservation. In this issue, we hope to explore acts of consumption—buying, eating, and using—as well as histories, ideas, and cultural practices related to consumption. Dig into retail therapy, table manners, the food web, production chains, debt and bankruptcy, or the role of fire in Oregon ecosystems. … We welcome all forms of nonfiction writing, including essays, journalism, criticism, and excerpts from forthcoming or recently published books.” For personal essays, you can also send competed drafts. Features generally range between 1,500 and 4,000 words. All contributors are paid between $750 and $1,500. The pitch deadline is 12 August 2025. Details here and here.
ijnet: Guide to video journalism
ijnet (International Journalists’ Network) has issued a pitch call: “Calling all journalists + creators: we’re looking to commission a clear, practical guide to video journalism for our newsletter for student and early-career journalists. The pay is US$200 for 700–1,000 words.” And, “We welcome pitches from both experienced video journalists and those who’ve recently learned the ropes and want to share their journey.” See the pitch call here and the pitching form is here.
SAD Mag: Taste
SAD is an independent magazine “covering the stories, art and design of Vancouver from the perspective of local, emerging creatives.” They have “a mandate to support emerging writers and artists based in B.C., with an emphasis on stories and works from underrepresented voices.” You can read more about them here. They publish in print and online. For their upcoming issue, they want submissions on Taste: “We’re looking for fiction, nonfiction (300-1,200 words) and poetry that explores taste in all its messy, personal, political or sensory forms.” They pay CAD100-300 for writing. The submission deadline is 31 July 2025. Details here.
Splinter: First Nations Issue
Splinter is an Australia-based journal and they want submissions of non-fiction, fiction, and poetry from First Nations people for this issue.“Whether you’re Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander, Māori, Sámi or belong to another first peoples community, we want to hear your voice. For the First Nations issue, we are looking for writing that speaks to the weight and wonder of living as First Nations people — where past, present and future aren’t separate but walk together. … We’re interested in the fractures and the fight, the moments of stillness, the ridiculous. What does it mean to carry culture, to carry knowledge in a world that wants us to forget? What does survival feel like today — and what does joy look like in the cracks?” They publish profiles, essays, memoir, criticism, fiction, poetry, writing about writing, as well as experimental work. And, “For profiles, essays, writing about writing, and criticism, we are looking for pitches of ideas (rather than completed works). For memoir, poetry, and fiction we are looking for submission of completed works.” They pay AUD250-900, and the deadline is 3 August 2025. Details here (scroll down) and here.
Aftermath: New Pitch Guide
Aftermath publishes work on video games, the internet, and the cultures that surround them. You can read more about them here. They have a new pitch guide: “we want stories that highlight important, under-explored facets of gaming and technology, as well as stories that hold powerful figures to account. We like stories that are focused on people rather than products, whether that’s developers and game workers, players, online and fan communities, or journalists. We’re especially interested in investigative or reported stories and stories that include the voices of players, workers, and community members. Games journalism has less and less room for investigative reporting these days, and we’re happy to carry that mantle as much as we can within our means.
We’re also interested in essays that connect games, technology, and the internet to politics, current events, cultural trends, and other areas. We’re open to experimental formats that tell stories in ways beyond text.” They pay $300 for shorter pieces, and $500 for longer. Details here and here.
Studio: Resonance
They publish work on craft and design in Canada. In the print issue, they publish articles (750 – 2,000 words; essays, reportage, and maker profiles that engage with contemporary craft—process, object, media, makers—or general interest issues that can be explored through Canadian craft) as well as interviews (varying length; conversations with makers, artists, artisans, designers, curators, collectors, researchers, arts administrators, historians, buyers, etc. who are actively engaged in contemporary Canadian craft and design). They’re accepting pitches on the Resonance theme for their next issue. They have detailed guidelines, including, “how does craft relate to the world, and how is it used a tool for storytelling/worldmaking? How does craft build relationships between people, communities, generations? What are the connections between materials, and how can they be seen in new ways? What role does history/tradition play in modern craft, and how has craft transformed? How does Canadian craft impact the world, yet build a unique voice?”
They pay CAD0.30/word for print, and flat CAD150 for online features. Pitching is via a form on their website. The pitch deadline is 1 August 2025. Details here.
Planetside: The Online Magazine of SFWA
This is the new online magazine of Science Fiction Writers of America (SFWA). “For nearly 30 years, The SFWA Blog has been an essential resource for speculative fiction creators. Our editorial team is excited to begin a new chapter on July 1, 2025, reintroducing our publication with a new name that better reflects who we are and where we’re headed.” You can read the announcement here. They’re currently open for a few themes: Lessons Learned (about lessons from plans not working out/setbacks); Perspectives in Translation (various topics from translators or writers whose work has been translated); Volunteer Networks: The Heart of SFF (perspectives from volunteers at magazines and organizations / fans at conventions); Writing by Other Means (what you use for writing; different production contexts and writing tools, especially if they sound unusual);and Writing from History. They are accepting pitches for nonfiction only; they do not publish fiction. They pay $0.10/word for pieces of 800-1,000 words. Details here.
Bio: S. Kalekar is the pseudonym of a regular contributor to this magazine. She can be reached here.