– S. Kalekar

These are themed calls for pitches and submissions of non-fiction. Some of the themes are: flourishing; count your blessings; the Gen Z queer experience; summer blockbusters; selling the city; and earthship homes.A few also publish other genres, like fiction and poetry.

Asterisk: Flourishing
“Asterisk is the little magazine of the San Francisco Bay Area — which is to say, we’re the little magazine of the world, a few years in advance. We put our scenes and subcultures in conversation with themselves, and with everyone else.” You can read more about them here. For their upcoming theme, they say, “Usually, we like to back up our claims with numbers, but right now, we’re in a more reflective mood. After all, the hot beige microsite of the summer is a papal encyclical, and it doesn’t have even one chart.
Right now, all eyes are on the Bay Area. The charts keep going up. The money is about to pour in. Yet there’s a pervasive sense that tech now lacks vision and moral character. We agree. Let’s see if we can change that in 120 pages.
To that end, Asterisk’s Fall 2026 issue is the theme of Flourishing. We are now soliciting pitches for articles, essays, and interviews related to any aspect of flourishing — think broadly.” They’re particularly interested in some topics: Morality and virtue; Relationships; Man’s search for meaning, and coping with human inferiority; Aesthetics and beauty; AI consciousness; Technology’s relationship to the world; and Scene reporting. See guidelines for details on each topic. They usually commission pieces at 3,000-5,000 words. The pitch deadline is end-July. Details here.

Chicken Soup for the Soul: Count Your Blessings
They publish themed non-fiction prose and non-fiction poetry. They have detailed guidelines as well as several suggested topics their themes. One of their upcoming themes is  Count Your Blessings. “One of the most important keys to contentment and happiness is the ability to count your blessings. Even during the toughest times, if we can find gratitude and count our blessings we feel better. Each day holds something to be thankful for and it could be just as simple as having the sun shine or having food on the table.
There is always a silver lining if you look for it.
We are looking for stories about how you count your blessings. Stories can be serious or funny but definitely should be inspirational and heartwarming. Attitude adjustments, finding contentment and gratitude, a new way of handling your daily life, and other great ideas to inspire readers to find their own paths to happiness and to remember to count their blessings every day are what we are looking for.” They pay $250 for works up to 1,200 words. The deadline for this theme is 30^th June 2026. They have other themes listed too, with later deadlines. Details here and here (also see other tabs on this page, including FAQ).

Writer’s Digest: Write Your Book in 2027 
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 are accepting work for their January/February 2027 theme, ‘Write Your Book in 2027’. “With a sub-theme of The Rejuvenated Writer, this issue aims to help writers start the new year strong. That means, articles to help writers get motivated to finally finish their manuscript, tips for building a writing routine, and craft articles on the various parts of writing a book.” You can read about the theme here; pitching for their themes is via a form on their website, which will close when the issue is filled. Apart from features, they have several departments and colu$mns. 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 for 2026 is here.

Meridian: Signal
“Meridian explores and engages the entrepreurial imagination. … Meridian seeks to publish deeply considered and beautifully written feature stories, profiles, essays, and deep dives; dynamic and illuminating interviews; and unexpected resources that help founders from their heads to their hearts. We’re interested in topics that inform, engage, ground, and inspire. We write for founders, entrepreneurs, creators, and builders.” They have a digital edition and an annual print edition. For the print issue, “We are currently accepting pitches for our issue on all things signal. Pitches must be received by June 25, 2026.
About the issue: Signal can be both transmission and instinct, beacon and tell, frequency and feeling. At a time when the signal-to-noise ratio has never been higher, this issue explores the what, why, and how of seeing the signs that matter.
We’re looking for deeply thoughtful long- and short-form reported pieces (can focus on past, present, or future), interviews with incredibly interesting people, and creative explorations of the concept.” See the editor’s pitch call here and their detailed pitch guide for print and online here.

Voquent
Voquent, a voice acting agency and production studio, is looking for pitches. “Voquent is looking for Film, TV, and Video Game writers and critics to produce features, opinion pieces, and interviews on voice acting and voiceover. If you write about film, TV or video games and are fascinated by how voice brings characters to life, this is your chance to produce analytical, insightful, and engaging content for a global audience passionate about the art of voice performance.” Article categories are: Production (behind-the-scenes looks at voice acting and industry processes), Ideas (discussions on trends, issues, big conversations in voice acting), Guides (how-to articles offering actionable advice for voice actors), Voiceover (all things voice-over with emphasis on human performance), and Entertainment (interviews, podcasts, deep dives into actors and performances behind films, TV, video games). “Our standard rate is 10p per word(£100 for 1,000 words, etc) with potential adjustments for research-heavy articles.” See the pitch call here and their general pitch guide is here.

Back Market: The Collectors
An editor has issued a pitch call for Back Market, a marketplace for refurbished tech: “Looking for new pitches for ‘The Collectors’, an editorial series I launched+now edit for Back Market. The idea is the pieces tell the story behind a unique community that’s popped up around technology. Some examples in the photos. Paid!” And, “Important the pitches really focus on the human story. Like how did a specific electronic device spark community and bring people together? What does the tech tell you about the human condition? That’s what The Collectors is all about. I want international ideas, too”. See the first article in this series here. See the pitch call / thread here.

The Lavender South
“The Lavender South is a project of the Campaign for (US) Southern Equality – and an opportunity for queer and trans people in the South to tell their stories of resilience and resistance, joy and pain, during a time when their communities are under attack.” They’re accepting submissions – “Prompt: What is your vision for the future? What are you dreaming about and what are you planning for?
At the start of The Lavender South project in early 2025, reeling from the Presidential election results, we asked you to share about our movement. We heard from immigrants, student organizers, environmentalists, educators, and therapists, all working to resist oppression and build LGBTQ+ community here in the South. Next, we asked you about histories; your personal histories, with the prompt to write a letter to your younger self. Through art, poetry, and prose, you told stories to rebellious kids in church pews about finding your way to family, community, and your truest selves. Now, we are asking you to share your vision for our queer Southern future. What are you dreaming about, and what are you planning for? Submit your personal essay, poem, or art piece in response to the prompt”. They pay $150 and the submission deadline is 30^th June 2026. Submission is via a form. Details here.

Gay & Lesbian Review
They accept articles and pitches on all LGBT-related topics. They are especially looking for work on these themes:
Sex in Public: From bathhouses to “cottaging”
Going South: LGBT lives below the Mason-Dixon Line
LGBT+Z: The Gen Z queer experience
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.

Bright Wall / Dark Room: Summer Blockbusters
They publish essays on film. “For our next issue, we’re looking for smart, thoughtful, engaging writing on any summer blockbuster released between 1975 – 2025.” They have detailed guidelines on Submittable, including, “For our July/August summer issue, we’re looking for smart, thoughtful, engaging essays on “the summer blockbuster film.” Got a killer angle on a summer classic like Jurassic Park or Jaws? Want to interrogate the aesthetics of Michael Bay and Christopher Nolan, or Schwarzenegger and Stallone? Feel like the filmography of James Cameron demands reevaluation in the age of AI? We want your essays and your pitches. … A few guardrails: For the purposes of the issue, we are considering the summer film season to be any film released between May 1st and September 30th of its release year (sorry, no March or April babies like The Matrix or Sinners). And unless you’ve actually seen the film, no 2026 releases, please.” They pay $50, and the submission deadline is 28^th June 2026; they accept submissions via Submittable, pitches on the theme are accepted by email (see guidelines), and off-theme pitches and submissions via Submittable. See the pitch call here and their detailed guidelines and submission portal are here.

OTHERSIDE: Speculative essays
This is a speculative fiction magazine and they are currently open for nonfiction / essay submissions only; all other genres are closed. “As with original fiction and poetry, we are only looking for submissions from 2SLGBTQIA+ authors.” “We are looking for submissions that teach us something new, show us something surprising, or move us. Right now, we are particularly interested in: investigations of queer history, especially literary history or lesser-known aspects of queer history; essays that shine a light on “forgotten” queer speculative works or authors; thoughtful media criticism of all kinds; personal essays, memoir, and genre-blurring creative nonfiction; and non-US perspectives. We always like incisive literary criticism and essays that examine the intersection(s) of speculative fiction and queer identity. We aren’t looking for reviews at this time.” They pay $100 for essays up to 4,000 words (prefer up to 2,000 words). They are open for nonfiction year-round, and for fiction and other genres during specific submission windows; they’ll open July 1-7 only for trans, BIPOC, and/or disabled 2SLGBTQIA+ authors, and will open July 8-21 for general 2SLGBTQIA+ submissions. Details here and here.  

MIT Technology Review
The editor for MIT Technology Review has issued a call for pitches for a book essay: “Journalists + writers: I’m on the hunt for a book essay for the November/December issue of MIT Technology Review. The idea is to have a strong thesis and use 1-3 new or upcoming books to explore it.” According to their general pitch guide, they pay $1 to $2 per word. See the pitch call here and their general pitch guide is here.

Moocat.net: 25th Anniversary Issue – Starving the Beast
Moocat is an independent literary magazine. “For essays, By “essays” here, we really mean “personal essays.” … “The point-of-view we are looking for is the innocent, wide-eyed individual encountering the word — in all its ugliness or beauty — and honestly reacting to it.” You can read more about them here. “On August 30, 2026, moocat.net will relaunch to mark 25 years of independent digital publishing. Submissions are now open for the inaugural issue centered on the theme: Starving the Beast: Avoid Evil/Stay Online. Essays and narratives exploring the tension between the need to remain connected to the world online and the desire to stop “feeding the beast” of extractive social media and tech giants.” They want essays (500-3,000 words), travel narratives (1,000-2,000 words), poems, comedy (“Satiric prose, humorous video, comic art, and, especially, Radio Comedy!”), and art. They pay $10 (+ tip jar division – see guidelines), and the submission deadline is 30^th June 2026. Details here. 

The Objective: Vol. 3
The Objectiveis a U.S. newsroom “examining systems of power and inequity in journalism: how newsrooms treat their employees, how journalists interact with their community, and what new forms of journalism can look like.” They’ve issued a pitch call: “For our third volume of our annual print magazine, we want your pitches on stories about post-2020 shifts: diversity in newsrooms and media, how standards have or haven’t changed after promises to shift anti-Blackness and move toward equity, and availability or lack thereof in funding for certain beats (read below for more specificity).” They pay $0.50/word for reported stories of 800-1,200 words. See the pitch call here and the pitch form here.

The Metropole: Selling the City
The Metropole is the official blog of the Urban History Association. They have issued a pitch call for the theme, Selling the City: “We welcome submissions focused on efforts to brand and market cities, build infrastructure supporting urban commerce, and drive urban tourism, as well as posts on financialization and real estate as factors shaping cities. Present-day examples that make appeals to the historical image and legacy of a city are welcome, as are examples from the past of people trying to “sell” a given city or the idea of a city.” The pitch deadline 26^th June, and full length drafts of accepted posts will be due 31^st July, with publication on the blog in October. They pay $200 for pieces of 1,000-1,500 words. Their general blog guidelines are here and theme details are here.

Toronto Journal: Stories from the City
This is a journal in print and sound. They publish Stories from the City: non-fiction pieces that are set in and around the Greater Toronto Area. The fiction they publish is unthemed. They pay $50 for prose submissions up to 7,500 words. The deadline is 1^st July 2026 for the Winter 2027 issue. Submission is via a form on their website. Details here.

The New York Times: Modern Love
Modern Love is a nonfiction column of the New York Times. They want “honest personal essays about contemporary relationships. 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.” Modern Love has two submission periods, March through June, and September through December. Writers are paid. They especially welcome work from historically underrepresented writers, and from those outside the US. They accept works of 1,500-1,700 words, and the deadline is 30^th June 2026. Payment is unspecified. Details here.

 Awful Announcing: Sports media/sports business
Awful Announcing publishes sports media news, commentary, and analysis. “Awful Announcing is accepting freelance pitches if you’re into that sort of thing. Keep it sports media/sports business-centric, plz…” They pay $150-250, and can pay more; see the pitch call here and the pitch form is here.

Playboy.com: Culture, Lifestyle, and more
The editor for Playboy.com has issued a call for pitches. They are “officially looking to expand our coverage on Playboy.com, our fast-growing Substack, and Playboy’s social handles, to deliver content to our majority male audience.
Playboy is best known as the publication where sex meets culture—but we’re also a home for the world’s rebels, tastemakers, and provocateurs.” They want pitches on culture (music, movies, television, art, erotica, and sit-down interviews), lifestyle (fashion, guides, grooming, features), work & finance (profiles, packages or series, trend pieces, columns), as well as food & drink (profiles, guides, trend pieces/spotlights, features). “Our rates vary from around $250—$1,000 on digital. Moonshot pitches—like proposing a feature package, investigative report, or recurring column—are totally welcome.” You can see the pitch call here.

Phylum Press: Red Twig Dogwood
They want creative non-fiction, fiction, poetry, and art for their quarterly journal. “Each year, Phylum will choose 4 different species from a phylum within the natural world. These four species will be the names and inspiration for each ISSUE we publish during that year.” The current phylum is Magnoliophyta and the current issue is on Red Twig Dogwood. We’re looking for pieces that reflect the red twig dogwood; a plant that grows through winter, showing that even in the harshest of times, it can still beat the odds. We want pieces that reflect perseverance and strength!” They pay $10 for up to 5,000 words of prose; they also accept poetry. The submission deadline is 30 June 2026. Details here.

Mizna: Ancestry/Indigeneity
“Mizna presents contemporary, critical, and experimental art, writing, and film centering the work of Arab and Southwest Asian and North African artists.” You can read about them here. Apart from submissions of non-fiction and creative non-fiction (up to 3,000 words), they accept poetry, visual poetry, fiction, flash fiction, comics, collage, invented forms, and any forms of mixed print or hybrid work. They have detailed guidelines for this issue, including, “This issue begins from the question of rootedness:What does it mean to belong to land, lineage, memory, and place across Southwest Asia and North Africa? … We welcome narratives from across the region that investigate and grapple with indigeneity and ancestry in a SWANA context while making connections with global Indigenous struggles.” And, “Contributors do not need to be SWANA- or Arab-identified and can be based anywhere in the world, but work submitted should be considerate of Mizna’s ethos and the social realities of our audiences, as well as aim to contribute to ongoing conversations in and beyond our communities.” They pay $200. The submission deadline is 6^th July 2026. Details here.

Washington Monthly: Politics, policy, and economics
An editor has issued a pitch call for Washington Monthly: “Excited to share I’ve joined @monthly as an editor. I’ll be writing and editing politics, policy, and econ stories.” See the pitch call here.

Monocle: International affairs, urbanism, culture, design, and more
“Monocle.com is looking for global stories on international affairs, urbanism, entrepreneurship, culture, design, fashion and hospitality. Our tone is considered and solution-oriented: we’re interested in benchmarks, best practices and stories that resonate beyond the place they’re reported.
*What makes a good pitch*
A good pitch is a quick, specific and compelling summary of what you’d write and who you’d speak to. I want to know what the story is about, why the story is relevant now and why you’re the person to tell it.” They publish opinions, features, explainers, and Q&As. They pay £0.50 per commissioned word. See the pitch call here and their detailed pitch guide is here.

Current Affairs: Gulf South
They publish nonfiction articles on politics and culture. “Current Affairs is looking for articles on the Gulf South region! (And as always, writers without a traditional publishing background are welcome.)” “We are looking for stories and artwork about climate change, labor, immigration, incarceration, environmental justice, and the people building a better future.” They want to hear from writers and artists in the Gulf South. Pitching is via a form on their website. According to their general pitch guide, “Online pieces generally range from 1,000 words to 6,000 words. Print pieces tend to be from 2,500 to 5,000. Online articles are paid $250, print articles $350, poems $75.” See the pitch call here and their general pitch guide is here.

Scrawl Place: Places in Chicago
“Scrawl Place is a literary journal disguised as a visitor’s guide.
The audience for this online publication is the guest, the visitor, the traveler, the day-tripper, the out-of-towner, and the in-towners eager to wander.
I’m looking for submissions about “places in the places” where you live or where you’ve visited. My aspiration is that readers will visit the places you write about and be inspired to write about those places themselves.” Currently, they are open for general submissions and also want writing on Chicago. “Send your writing about places anchored in a real, visitable place in Chicago.” They’ll pay $35 for general submissions and $40 for Chicago-themed submissions. The deadline for the Chicago call is 15^th July 2026. Details here (general guidelines) and here (theme details – see the relevant category).

Green Living: Earthship homes, eco-tourism, and more
“Green Living is an eco-conscious lifestyle magazine centered around your daily life and the way you express yourself as you live, work, and play green.” Their editor has issued a pitch call: “For Green Living Magazine: I’m accepting pitches for our print (August) and online magazine. Our goal as a magazine is to educate and inspire sustainable living. I’m looking for stories related to:
-Earthship homes
-Sedona water
-Yoga vs. kickboxing health benefits
-Tiny houses in Arizona (especially if you have one!)
-Vegan Haircare 
-Solar tube skylights
-Compostable vs. Biodegradable vs. Commercially Compostable
-Eco-Tourism
-Alternative energy in your home”. Please note, they can only pay for print magazine pieces, not online pieces. Details here.

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