S. Kalekar

These are 25 outlets that have issued calls for themed non-fiction; a few are open for more than one call. Some themes are: In Tongues – Adventures in the Science of Taste and Flavor; Best Dog Ever; Mediterraneans; Embodied Surveillance & The Architectures Of Control; Victorian Kings and Queens: Queer culture in the 19th century; The Far Right; Health; Music & The Brain; Cities at Play; Fostering Individuality in Writing; Fungi in SFF; and Power. Some outlets also accept other genres, like fiction and poetry.

Orion: In Tongues – Adventures in the Science of Taste and Flavor
Orion has detailed guidelines, including, “Orion is about exploring environmental and social issues and looking at what and how people are going about addressing them.” And, “From March 1- 15 we will be accepting nonfiction story pitches for our Autumn 2026 Issue: In Tongues: Adventures in the Science of Taste and Flavor. 
We’re specifically interested in your ideas about animal dietary and taste preferences or the hidden histories of cultural cuisines forged under oppression. 
Please keep pitches to 500 words or less.” They do not accept unsolicited submissions of non-fiction (send pitches only), and they do not accept fiction or poetry. Details here and here.

Ninth Letter: Reaction
The theme for their web edition is Reaction. At the time of writing, they were open for nonfiction only. “We find ourselves in a moment of American Reaction. But what sparks that reaction, and what is born out of it?  Send us your stories, poems and essays that react without or before forethought, or deal with its spurious repercussions. Render reactivity in digital and material and spiritual spaces in all its spectacle and earnestness. Show us poignant moments of unexpected emotion, or sudden bodily reflexes or the mind’s recoil. We want characters caught in unforeseeable moments and narrators that drop their guard, or poems that embody one action’s equal and opposed reaction. We welcome writing that spans the spectrum of reactions – chemical, physical, biological, psychological and political – and pieces that capture reaction in all its possibility and detriment.” They pay $75 for creative non-fiction of up to 3,500 words. Please note, they have a submission cap, and could close earlier than the deadline of 1^st April 2026. Details here.
(Ninth Letter is also open for literary awards in various genres, for which there is a submission fee.)

The Markaz Review: MEDITERRANEANS
Their website says, “The Markaz Review is a literary arts publication and cultural institution that curates content and programs on the greater Middle East and our communities in diaspora.” They have detailed guidelines, including, “Our next theme issue — MEDITERRANEANS — is intentionally plural, evoking, in our minds, the ancient and contemporary flow of people and civilizations that criss-cross the region, from Spain and Italy to Greece and Turkey, from Lebanon to Egypt to Libya, extending along the shores of North Africa and beyond. A plurality of places, in other words, a region teeming with histories of empire and trade, of migration and exile, but also, notably, a sea! And one warming rapidly, faster than any other in the world. The perfect confluence, perhaps, of man-made ecological disaster and vast systems of surveillance, policed borders, and cruelest of all, blithe indifference to the suffering of some, but certainly not all. For MEDITERRANEANS also references the various seas of the region: one an aquatic graveyard, a repository of broken dreams and failed crossings; the other, a vacation destination, sun, sand, and pay no mind to the makeshift boats barely discernible along the horizon.” Submissions range from 750-3,000 words. They pay an honorarium. They accept both, submissions and queries. The query deadline is 20 March, and you must submit the copy by 10 April 2026. They are also open for unthemed submissions; please note, they have a submission quota and may close before the deadline. Details here and here.

Consequence Magazine
They publish work “that addresses the human experiences, realities, and consequences of war and geopolitical violence through literature and art.” They accept non-fiction (interviews, essays, and narrative non-fiction), fiction (including flash and excerpts), poetry, translations, and art. All works will be considered for online and print. They pay $30-50 for prose, $20/poem for print poetry, $30-50 for online poetry. The deadline is 15 April 2026. Details here and here.

Gay & Lesbian Review: Three themes
They accept unsolicited manuscripts and pitches on all LGBT-related topics. They are especially looking for work on these themes:
— Victorian Kings and Queens: Queer culture in the 19th century
— Homo Litterarius: Iconic LGBT figures in literatur
— Sex in Public: From bathhouses to “cottaging”

They also welcome suggestions. They accept feature pitches/features (2,000 to 4,000 words), as well as work for various sections/columns and reviews. Some sections are unpaid. They pay $250 for feature articles, and $100 for full-length book or movie reviews and art memos. Details here.

Betches: Trending entertainment news
An editor has issued a pitch call for Betches: “Currently accepting creative, hilarious pitches for trending ent news (ex: Wuthering Heights, Tell Me Lies, ANTM, Connor & Hudson, u name it). Must have a more fun spin/ POV that feels diff from whats out there.” Rate depends on experience and word count. See the pitch call here.

Dismantling Press: Rage, Well Spoken
This creative non-fiction anthology is “Open to women only. Trans, cis, genderfluid, any background, without reservation”. Their guidelines say, “Sexism, discrimination, harassment, misogyny, microaggressions, rape culture, glass ceilings, toxic masculinity, patriarchy.
Blood boiling yet?
We are seeking creative non-fiction (by women!) that confront, interrogate, or give voice to their rage.
This call is intentionally activist. We are interested in work that is unapologetic, incisive, and impassioned—essays that treat fury as legitimate, necessary, and political. Stories may be personal narratives, essays, hybrid, or experimental. We especially encourage work that offers a rebuttal to conventions around anger, gender, and power.” They pay $0.04/word for non-fiction of 1,000 to 7,000 words. The deadline is 31^st March 2026. Details here.

The Contrapuntal: Post-Panoptics – Embodied Surveillance & The Architectures Of Control
The Contrapuntal publishes reportage, opinion articles, photo essays, on topics that governments discourage being told or actively suppress, and more; they publish work on Political Economy, Migration, Ecology, and Culture; you can read about them here and see their pitch guide here. For their Post-Panoptics – Embodied Surveillance & The Architectures Of Control call, they want “pitches to map emerging forms of surveillance. We’re looking for analyses of the technologies, institutions & cultures shaping surveillance.” The call is detailed, including, “Three objectives organize this call:
1. to map the mechanisms through which surveillance operates – technically, institutionally, and culturally;
2. to expand conventional definitions of surveillance beyond state-centred models, encompassing the full spectrum of institutional actors that benefit from it;
3. and to examine emerging forms of resistance and counter-surveillance that defend spaces of political autonomy, bodily integrity, and epistemic difference.” They’re commissioning deep-dive journalism (€1,000 for 5,000 words), analytical op-eds (€500 for 2,500-3,000 words), illustrated graphic essays, as well as visual essays (€1,000 each). The pitch deadline is 15^th April 2026. They are looking for pitches outside the EU, as well. See the editor’s pitch call / thread here and details here.

The Fuller Project: The Far Right
The Fuller Project accepts pitches from journalists “who can connect audiences in the US and Europe to lived realities around the world. Stories that show how gender shapes politics, labour, health, conflict, culture and technology.” And, “We are currently accepting pitches on the far right for our April edition.
For the far right, think about:

• Feminists/feminism as a new enemy of the far right
• Women within far-right movements
• Gendered consequences of the resurgence of the far right
• Revealing far-right influence on policies and institutions 
• Resourcing from and to the far right: who is providing money, ideas, narrative strategies?
• Far-right networks: revealing the organizations, platforms and individuals whose anti-rights agenda benefit from the growing influence of the far right
• The fight back 

For our editions, we will consider commissioning investigations, enterprise features, constructive stories, analysis stories and explainers.” See the general pitch guide here and the pitch call for April and submission form here.  

Barrelhouse: The Aftermath
Barrelhouse wants submissions on The Aftermath theme for their online issue. “Stories often focus on the climactic events in one’s life, but after these points of intensity, the world goes on. What happens when the adventure is over? How do you live your daily life after being abducted by aliens? What do you fill your days with after receiving the Nobel Peace Prize?  What happens in the sequel to a story that doesn’t need one?    This spring, Barrelhouse is calling for short stories, poetry, creative nonfiction, and art that measure moments in and after abnormal times. The ways we can feel elated, apathetic, tortured, or fixated on the events that shape us. What does it look like once the afterglow has faded?” They will close on 15^th March 2026 or when they reach a submission cap, whichever is earlier. Length guidelines are up to 5,000 words for prose, 3-5 poems; they pay $50. Details here and here.

DUNIYA: Housing in Asia’s Capital Cities
DUNIA is an independent investigative journalism platform based in South Korea. They want “story pitches on housing in capital cities across Asia. We are interested in reporting that moves beyond real estate trends and examines housing as a structural issue tied to inequality, labor, migration, finance, and climate vulnerability. We are particularly looking for stories that explore: -How many years does it take for an ordinary citizen or resident to afford and own a home in your capital city? -What kind of housing is realistically attainable at the median income level? -What does a “dream home” look like for someone in your income bracket? -Where is considered the “ideal” location to live in your city — and why? -Where are the most affordable or cheapest housing areas in the capital? Who lives there?” They want reported features (1,000–1,500 words), Human story, First-person reported essays grounded in structural analysis, and Multimedia proposals (photo, short video, audio). “Freelance journalists, researchers, and media practitioners based in Asian capital cities are encouraged to pitch.” They publish in English and Korean, and pay $80-150. See the pitch call / thread here.

The New York Times: Modern Love
Modern Love is a non-fiction column of the New York Times and they have just reopened their submission period. “We seek true stories on finding love, losing love and trying to keep love alive. We welcome essays that explore subjects such as adoption, polyamory, technology, race and friendship — anything that could reasonably fit under the heading “Modern Love.” Ideally, essays should spring from some central dilemma you have faced. It is helpful, but not essential, for the situation to reflect what is happening in the world now.
The best way to see the range of styles and subjects we publish is to read the column and listen to the podcast. There’s a Google doc of tips from the editor that someone culled from the Modern Love Facebook page (some details are out of date, but nearly all of the advice is still generally applicable).
Love may be universal, but individual experiences can differ immensely and be informed by factors including race, socio-economic status, gender, disability status, nationality, sexuality, age, religion and culture. We especially encourage Black and Indigenous people and other people of color to submit, as well as writers outside of the United States and those who identify as members of L.G.B.T.Q communities.” Send essays of 1,500-1,700 words. Modern Love has two submission periods; March through June, and September through December. Writers are paid. Details here.

Live Science: Health Stories
“Live Science is always open to pitches from freelancers, but (during March) the health vertical will be in particular need of news pitches. Here are a few tips for those interested in throwing their hats in the ring:
—Prior to writing your pitch, review our recent health coverage and our pitch submission guidelines (linked below). Our Science Spotlight series and news analyses offer insight into areas of coverage that we’ve emphasized of late.
—Keep in mind that we write for a general-but-science-interested audience, rather than for scientists, policymakers or industry stakeholders.” See the pitch call here and their general, detailed pitch guide is here.

Profiles: Issue 5
“Profiles welcomes character-driven fiction and non-fiction — both original works and works in translation — between 1,000 and 5,000 words.
We’re interested in publishing character studies. We love short stories and works of non-fiction that treat their subjects with empathy, without bordering on apologia, and show human nature as it is, not necessarily as it should be. … We feature work from writers living in Ireland and abroad. Due to the high volume of submissions we receive and our limited resources, we regret that we cannot accept submissions of original writing from residents of the US or Canada (with the exception of Irish citizens). However, translators living in these countries are welcome to submit.” They pay €400 for unsolicited submissions, with an additional €100 for each contributor who records a reading of their work and/or takes part in an interview for the annual Profiles radio special (see payment details here). The deadline is 15^th March 2026. Details here , here, and here.

BrainFacts.Org: Four themes
They want pitches on stories around the brain and nervous system. They have extensive guidelines, including: BrainFacts.org “tells the story of scientific discoveries, the people behind them, and how it relates to our everyday lives. Knowing about the brain’s inner workings helps paint a better picture of the human experience that explores the universe between our ears. We’re looking for freelance science writers, journalists, and multimedia creators with a strong portfolio in science communication to pitch us story ideas about the brain and nervous system.” They have some themes they are interested in now – Music & The Brain; Vaccines & The Brain; The Aging Brain; Psychedelics & The Brain.But also say that they are open to all neuro-related pitches. They assign long (1,000-1,200 words), medium (700-900 words), and short-form (500-800 words) written and multimedia stories. They do consider profiles of experts in neuroscience if you weave the science throughout the story. Commentaries are accepted by invitation only. Pay depends on a number of factors, but is roughly $1/word. Details here.

Writer’s Digest: Fostering Individuality in Writing
This print and online magazine for writers 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’re accepting work for their September/October 2026 theme, ‘Fostering Individuality in Writing’. “For this issue, featuring the Annual Agent Roundup, we’re interested in including articles related to individuality (and celebrating one’s identity) in writing. Things like, how a writer can create their public author persona (including deciding what they do and do not share with their readers), how to create characters that feel like distinct individuals, turning life into literature (whether fiction or nonfiction), and any other ways you can think of for writers to foster individuality.” You can read about that, and other upcoming themes, here; pitching for each theme is via a form on their website, which will close when the issue is filled. Apart from features, they have several departments and columns. They pay $0.50/word for first world rights for one-time print use and perpetual electronic use. They do not pay for unsolicited online articles and guest posts, except in rare cases when the content is highly focused or unique, in which case they pay $50-$100. General submission guidelines are here and the form for general (unthemed) pitches, updated for 2026, is here.

Plott Hound
They publish speculative fiction, nonfiction, and poetry starring animals. Regarding non-fiction pitches, they say, “Plott Hound aims to publish one essay per issue. Animals hold a special place in our hearts and within the communities and cultures we belong to. We would like you to share that significance and impact. Do you have a particular connection to an animal through a scholarly or spiritual background? We invite you to impart that knowledge as well. You can write about one particular animal or many. We will accept pitches through Moksha. Upon acceptance of that pitch, a fully written article may be submitted. You may send a previously declined pitch to the next open submission period.” They pay $100 for essays of 1,000 – 2,500 words; fiction pays $0.08/word for stories up to 5,000 words and they pay $50 for poetry. Please note that for non-fiction, they want pitches only via their Moksha submission system, not completed essays. The deadline is 15^th March 2026. Details here (scroll down for non-fiction details), here, and here (see the relevant category).

The Metropole: Cities at Play
The Metropole is the official blog of the Urban History Association. They have issued a pitch call for the theme, Cities at Play: “We welcome submissions about any aspect of play, recreation, or leisure in the urban environment. How have cities uniquely shaped the way their inhabitants play, and how has play in turn shaped the built environment, the social dynamics, and the politics of cities?” The pitch deadline 20^th March, and full length drafts of accepted posts will be due April 17th, with publication on the blog in May. They pay $200 for pieces of 1,000-1,500 words. Their general blog guidelines are here and theme details are here.

City AM: London Life
The Life & Style editor of London-based City AM and City AM – The Magazine has issued a pitch call: “We’re commissioning for City AM – I’m looking for pitches for cool, interesting features and columns on London life: food, drink, culture.” See the pitch call here.

Aeon
Aeon publishes essays on philosophy, science, and more. “We ask the big, existentially significant questions and find the freshest, most original answers, provided by leading thinkers on philosophy, science, psychology, society and culture.” They’re looking for “emerging and intrepid thinkers who want to hone their ideas for a popular readership. Above all we value ideas that are fresh, bold, provocative, and deeply researched. Early career academics are especially encouraged to get in touch.” They also say, “Most of our Essays are written by academic experts, but certainly not all. If you are not an academic, but have significant professional or practical expertise in your field, don’t hesitate to bring us a great idea for an Essay. We also strongly encourage younger and emerging scholars, especially outside the US and the UK, to pitch Essay ideas to us, even if you don’t have much experience in writing outside of the academy.” Essays are 2,500-5,000 words. They accept pitches from the 1^st to the 7^th of each month. Regarding payment, “For writers whose principal income is from their writing, we pay a freelance fee. For all others, we pay an honorarium. If your pitch is successful, we will let you know details of the relevant fee for your country of residence before you sign a contract.” You can see their guidelines here.

Strange Horizons: Fungi in SFF
Strange Horizons is a magazine of science fiction and fantasy fiction, non-fiction, and poetry. Their editor has issued a submission call for non-fiction: “Strange Horizons invites non-fiction submissions for our March 30 special issue on “Fungi in SFF”. Please send in your mycelial pitches to gautam.strangehorizons@gmail.com.” Strange Horizons publishes non-fiction in various formats; essays, interviews, round-tables, and columns; pay ranges from $20 to $75 for these formats. See the call here, on their website here, and their general non-fiction guidelines here.

SAPP: Waterways
This Canadian magazine is open for submissions; “Volume 4’s theme is “Waterways”. As water wends its way across the landscape, its flow lends vibrancy to the places and beings it touches. Tell us about the stuff of life: the connections you treasure and the things that bring vibrancy to your life and your community.” They pay CAD30; please note, they can only pay Canadian writers; international authors could get a contributor copy (see guidelines) and the deadline is 31^st March 2026. Details here.
(Submissions are also open for Hajar Press’ The Hajar Book of Waves; they want submissions from writers of colour only, for this water-themed anthology – essays, short stories, poetry, and “everything in between showing radical imagination, creative experimentation and sharp political engagement with the world around us.” They have detailed guidelines, including, “We’re interested in writing that engages with waves as both material and metaphor—flowing and flooding, soothing and overwhelming, refreshing and eroding; the rhythms and repetitions of perpetual back-and-forth motion; the power of water refusing to stagnate.” Send up to 6,000 words for prose or up to 3 poems. They pay £150 for prose, and £50 for poetry; deadline 6^th March 2026, 11.59 GMT; details here.)

NatGeo: Health pitches
Adigital editor at National Geographic has issued a pitch call: “As always, I’m open to health pitches that challenge what we think we know. Surprise me with strong science, a clear “why now,” and fresh reporting. If it makes readers see their bodies or the world differently, lmk. …. What does get my attention:
— A new or newly synthesized body of research
— A smart angle on a long-running scientific debate
— A study that complicates conventional wisdom
*Bonus points if you know about embargoed studies before I do and have a fleshed out pitch.” The thread also includes what the editor is not looking for. They pay $1/word. See the pitch call / thread here.

Chicken Soup for the Soul: Three themes
They want non-fiction prose and poetry. They have detailed guidelines as well as several suggested topics for each theme. Three of their upcoming themes are:

— Best Dog Ever… (stories submitted on this theme between July 2025 and November 21, 2025 are lost and they ask you to resubmit; some suggested themes are: When your dog is naughty; When your dog is remarkably well behaved; The crazy things you do for your dog; Did you ever “smuggle” your dog into a place you shouldn’t have?; Does your dog steal food or things from you?; Does your dog talk back to you?; How my therapy dog has made a difference; Your work at a shelter or rescue organization; Holidays with your dog). 

— Stories about using positive thinking (some suggested topics are: The unexpected benefits of challenges; Putting things in perspective; Lighten up and laugh!; What made you realize that your life is good and that you are grateful for it; Appreciating the simple pleasures; The mental benefits to a positive mindset; Pursuing your passion).

— Random Acts of Kindness (some suggested topics are: How an act of kindness you received changed your life or changed you as a person; Performing an act of kindness for a family member; Performing an act of kindness for a total stranger; Paying it forward; The unexpected benefits of doing something kind for someone).

Chicken Soup pays $250 for works up to 1,200 words. The deadline for all three above themes is 31 March 2026. Details here and here (also see other tabs on this page, including FAQ). They have other themes listed too, with later deadlines.

Quest Magazine: Power
They want submissions for their second issue, on the Power theme. “Quest is an online magazine using science fiction and fantasy to examine the systems shaping the present day.
We’re inviting writers, artists, and collaborators to help shape Issue 02, exploring the theme: Power — arcane, technological, institutional, intimate.” They want science fiction and fantasy, as well as adjacent genres – including magical realism, slipstream, and fabulism. Apart from non-fiction, they accept fiction, serialized fiction, poetry, and art, as well as music and videos. Submission is via a form. Length guidelines are: minimum 1,000 words for non-fiction, minimum 2,000 words for fiction, minimum 1,500 words per instalment for serialized fiction, up to 3 poems. They pay $250 for prose (or per story instalment), and $100 for poetry. The deadline is 15 April 2026. Details here and here.

Bio: S. Kalekar is the pseudonym of a regular contributor to this magazine. She can be reached here.