By S. Kalekar
These magazines/outlets accept pitches / submissions of non-fiction, journalism, and essays. Some of the themes are: culture, politics, and tech; secrets; the stars; road trips; village for hire; language, censorship, and translation; humorous stories; science stories about archaeology; Canadian culture stories; multicultural international essays; video game oral histories; horror scholarship; personal narrative; and poetry-related essays. A few also accept other genres, like fiction and poetry.
DIRT Newsletter
Dirt is open for pitches. “Dirt is billed as a newsletter about entertainment, and television (particularly streaming) is our bread and butter. We are also interested in pieces about Being Online and how mixed up it is with Being Offline.
We love short essays and posts that take an unexpected angle on a popular show, highlight a previously uncovered element or particular aesthetic of a show everyone is watching, or recommend things that it seems like no one is watching at all.
We occasionally publish personal essays, especially when the narrative incorporates a larger point of view on entertainment or the internet.” Pay starts $400, negotiable for reported pieces. Q&As are paid out at $250; pieces are generally commissioned at around 500-800 or 800-1,000 words. Details here.
The Nerve: Culture, Politics, and Tech
“The Nerve is a fearless, female-founded media title set up by a collective of five former Guardian and Observer journalists who believe that the UK needs more truly independent journalism.” You can read about them here. They’ve recently released their pitch guide. They have detailed guidelines, including: “The Nerve is a new media title focussing on culture, politics & tech. … We are looking for feature articles that fit within our core areas: culture in its broadest baggiest sense, politics and technology or articles that sit at the intersection of these main areas. … We also publish investigations, which tend to be around the dangers of big tech, the rise of the hard right and the climate emergency. These are much more labour intensive, for obvious reasons, and we have a team of reporters. But we are keen to hear tips and pitches, and are very open to working collaboratively, both with freelance reporters and with other outlets.” Details here and here.
Asterisk: Secrets
“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. They publish quarterly print issues and accept shorter works for Dagger, their blog. They are accepting submissions for issue 17 (the Winter 2027 issue), and the theme is Secrets: “Don’t go telling everyone, but we’re particularly interested in the following topics:
- Group chats, underground networks, and how the culture of secrecy affects everything else
- Arms race dynamics, and whatever is going on at the labs
- Niche or obscure histories, oddly influential but underrated arcane knowledge
- National security, cybersecurity, and physical security
- Taboos and open secrets
- Genetics and medical privacy
- Covert operations, bribery, and secret money
- Persuasion, deception, manipulation, and cover-ups
- The unconscious and the collective unconscious
Our magazine pieces tend to be long (3000 to 5000 words on average), evergreen, and deeply researched. We welcome pitches and drafts from everyone, not just academics or professional writers.” The pitch deadline is 31st October 2026. Details here (general pitch guide) and here (theme details).
New World Journal: The Stars
Their front page says, ‘Pilgrimages. Crucibles. Tactile Worlds’. “New World publishes fiction and nonfiction that immerse readers in compelling worlds through physical journeys, intellectually serious questions, and cinematic imagination.” They have detailed guidelines, and a long list of the kind of stories they are interested in, including, but not limited to, exploration/expeditions; travel; folklore; discovery/experiment with the world; war; unusual religious practices or cosmology; adventurous vocations, hard labor; journalism/reportage from the field. Also see the kind of works they are not interested in. They’re reading submissions for their first issue, and the theme is The Stars: “The stars connect astronomy, exploration, navigation, history, mythology, geography, and the human experience of looking into something larger than ourselves.” You can read about that here, and see updates in their editorial process here, and here. There is no deadline listed. Submission is via a form. They pay $150 for nonfiction of 3,000-8,000 words, and $50-150 for fiction. Details here and here.
GEIST
“Geist is the Canadian magazine of ideas and culture—every issue brings together a sumptuous mix of fact + fiction, photography and comix, poetry, essays and reviews, and the weird and wonderful from the world of words.” They accept submissions from writers and artists across Canada (see guidelines), and “Occasionally, we publish international contributors whose work has a strong connection to Canada or would be relevant to a Canadian audience.” They charge for submissions, except from BIPOC writers. About non-fiction, they say, “We publish short (under 2000 words) non-fiction, usually personal narrative, in the Notes and Dispatches section. Longer (up to 5000 words) non-fiction pieces are published as Features. Send one piece at a time.” Short non-fiction pays CAD100-300, and longform features pay up to CAD650. The submission deadline is 8th October 2026. Details here and here.
ROVA: Road trips
Their tagline is, ‘The Magazine for Epic Road Trips’. “Are you a road-tripper, a US travel nut, a writer extraordinaire, an RV aficionado? We want you to share your stories of life on the road in this magnificent country; drop us a line and show us your stuff!
Writers and photographers will be paid a flat rate of $200 per article/photo essay subject to acceptance for publication.” Submission is via a form on their website. Details here.
Toronto Review: Literary and cultural criticism essays, and more
This is a new literary magazine based in Toronto. They accept Canadian and international submissions and prioritize work by writers in Toronto. “We’re looking for voicey, argument-driven writing by both emerging and established writers.” They publish reviews and fiction and about essay pitches, they say: “Toronto Review invites essays of literary and cultural criticism. A Toronto Review essay plays with form and can have a narrative thrust; it is sharp, argument-driven and/or ekphrastic, prioritizing deep deliberation over surface spectacle; it can centre the author’s perspective and sensations; it can assume a range of tenors and techniques; but it must always be critical. Writing by experts in their field should be accessible for Toronto Review’s generalist readership while still being rigorous and innovative.
Though undergirded by the imbrication of aesthetics and politics, a TR essay is neither journalism nor news. It does not seek to speedily churn out hot takes and takedowns, but to provide a thoughtful analysis of language, art, and power, amongst other topics.” They pay CAD125-150. Details here.
Business Insider: Village For Hire
An editor for Business Insider has issued a pitch call: “Looking for #freelance pitches for my series for Business Insider: Village For Hire!
Through first-person stories, we take a close look at creative ways working parents are problem-solving, outsourcing, and optimizing in their busy lives — and the hustlers, or “modern paid village,” profiting from helping them do it. …
Do you have an unconventional side hustle that helps busy parents?
Have you hired someone who’s made your life better or creatively outsourced certain tasks to make your household run more smoothly?” See the stories they have previously published in this series here; and their pitch form has more details on what they’re looking for. “Rates for these start at about $240 for 600 words. I will be in touch about hopping on a call if we’re interested in moving forward.” See the pitch call here.
Griffith Review: Under the Influence
Griffith Review accepts work by Australian writers, and some work by international writers. They will open for non-fiction in October on the theme ‘Under the Influence’ for their next print issue. “When was the last time someone truly influenced you – and how? In Oscar Wilde’s iconic novel The Picture of Dorian Gray, Lord Henry Wotton declares that there’s no such thing as a good influence, since anyone so susceptible to another person’s thoughts and passions surely can’t have strong enough convictions of their own.
But how easy is it – particularly in the midst of Stage 4 late capitalism – to discern our own tastes and desires from effective marketing or algorithmic trickery? How do we distinguish pernicious control from positive guidance? And how do we measure influence in the third wave of the information age?” And, “We mostly publish non-fiction, and this can take the form of essays, memoir, reportage, visual essays (collections of images from a particular artist) and Q&As. These nonfiction pieces always respond to theme of the edition in which they appear.” They pay AUD0.75/word for print non-fiction. Their Submittable will open during the reading period. Details here.
Women’s Review of Books
They are relaunching in Fall 2026. They publish essays by and about women, as well as reviews and review essays, fiction, poetry, and artwork. “Women’s Review of Books has provided a forum for serious, informed discussion of new writing by and about women since 1983. Women’s Review of Books provides a unique perspective on today’s literary landscape and features essays and in-depth reviews of new books by and about women.” They pay $100. They’re reading submissions for Volume 39, Issue 1; there is no deadline given. Details here and here.
In a Flash: Wanderlust
In a Flash is a Substack-based literary magazine and they publish one piece of themed flash non-fiction a month. For October 2026, the theme is Wanderlust. Send a creative non-fiction piece of up to 500 words on this theme. And, “We’ll also spotlight the author with a Q&A section.” They pay $25, and the submission period for each month’s theme is from the 1st to the 15th of that month; submission is via Google Forms. Details here (general guidelines) and here (theme for this and upcoming months).
Lazo Magazine: Multicultural international essays
Lazo Magazine is “an experimental online publication for and about travelers, i(e)mmigrants, expatriates, diasporas, minorities, dual citizens, third culture kids, and anyone crossing borders or thinking multiculturally. It’s also for anyone curious about the world.” Their editor has issued a pitch call: “Here to announce that Lazo Magazine has a new #callforpitches open. We’re looking for quirky international stories and essays w/a multicultural angle. Rates range from $300 to $200, depending on length.” See the pitch call here.
Rock Paper Shotgun: PC hardware features
The editor for RPS (Rock Paper Shotgun) which publishes work about PC gaming, has issued a pitch call: “Games and tech freelancers : I am once again asking for freelance pitches for PC hardware features (not reviews or guides, sorry!) on RPS.” You can see the pitch call here.
Phylum Press: Avocado
They want work 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 the Avocado. “Avocados are picked from their tree while unripe, and come to maturity on their own time. The trees are fragile, but nurture them correctly, and you can get a truly rewarding result. Full of rich nutrients and delicate flavours, avocados are proof that slow and steady can win the race, and that after hardship, you can be left with something rich and rewarding.
For this issue, we’re looking for pieces that show vulnerability, and growth. Coming to terms with something you cannot change? A journey of self-discovery?” They want creative non-fiction (up to 5,000 words), as well as fiction and poetry. “While we love to receive works that relate to each ISSUE’s theme, we do not preference those submissions over others.” They pay $10 and the submission deadline is 31 October 2026. Details here.
Electric Lit: Personal Narrative
They are open for personal narrative essays. “Submissions of general nonfiction must be full drafts of personal essays. Submissions must be between 2,000 and 6,500 words in length, and previously published work will not be considered. Simultaneous submissions are accepted, but please let us know immediately if a submission is accepted elsewhere.
While there are no restrictions on form or subject matter, submissions should center narrative and consider what it means to essay; in other words, write to interrogate, investigate, adventure, and introspect.” They pay $100 for these essays and will stay open till 12th October or till their submission cap is met, whichever is earlier. Details here and here.
(The Paris Review is now open for non-fiction, fiction, and poetry via Submittable; they opened on 1st October, and will stay open until they hit their submission cap. They also accept translations. Send up to 40 pages of prose. Submissions by post are open year-round. Details here and here.
And Brick Magazine, which accepts literary non-fiction only, opened for submissions via Submittable on 1st October, and will close when their cap is reached. They tend toward pieces of 1,000-5,000 words, and pay $65-720; details here.)
IHRAM Press: Language, Censorship, and Translation
For the upcoming issue of IHRAM (International Human Rights Art Movement) Press’s literary magazine, the theme is Language, Censorship, and Translation. “We are seeking firsthand experiences, factual retellings of stories from the author’s life, and personal reflections exploring the relationship between language, identity, expression, and power. … We are particularly interested in work that considers how language shapes the way we understand ourselves and others, and what happens when people are denied, constrained, misunderstood, or unable to use their own voice.” They have several suggested topics, including: How language shapes identity and belonging; Language as a form of personal expression; Language and social status; Multilingual and cross-cultural experiences; Preserving meaning, voice, and cultural context across languages; and more. They accept nonfiction (up to 2,500 words), fiction, and poetry, as well as translation and art. They pay $50 for writing. The deadline is 15th November 2026. Details here.
Chicken Soup for the Soul: Humorous Stories
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 Humorous Stories. “We are looking for true stories about something that happened to you in your life – in your relationship with a partner or spouse, a parent or child, a family member or friend, a pet, at work or at home – that made you and the people around you laugh out loud. Did you mean for it to be funny? Maybe not. Sometimes the funniest things were not meant to be funny at all! Did someone make you laugh? Did that other person mean to make you laugh? Did a situation just get out of control? Did a misunderstanding snowball into a comedy of errors? We can’t wait to hear your true stories. We want them to be silly, outrageous, and hilarious.” They have several suggested topics listed, including: Good intentions gone wrong; Pranks that backfired – Yikes!; Obsessions and Compulsions; Wedding woes or Funeral foul-ups; Zany vacations; and more. They pay $250 for works up to 1,200 words. The deadline for this theme has been extended to 15th October 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: Crafting Your Writing Future
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 Spring 2027 theme, which is ‘Crafting Your Writing Future’. “Whether they know it or not, writers are a hopeful bunch—always looking to the future. Writing for future readers, working to find an agent, then a book deal, then living and writing through the months and sometimes years of the publication process. So for this issue, we’re focused on looking at the road ahead whether that’s techniques for writing for the next generation of readers, building your audience before you publish and other pre-publication strategies, or even things like writing futuristic fiction or understanding genre trends.” 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 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 they have a form for general (unthemed) pitches for 2027 too, which is here.
Scientific American: Health; Mind and Brain; Technology; Archaeology
An editor for Scientific American has issued a pitch call: “Call for pitches! @sciam.bsky.social is commissioning stories of all lengths on all areas of science, but in particular I’d love to hear from journalists with enterprising or newsy stories in: health; mind and brain; technology; and archaeology.” The opportunity is open globally, but should be of relevance to a US audience. See the pitch call / thread here and their general pitch guide is here.
Deep Cut Magazine: Horror scholarship
They publish horror fiction and non-fiction. They want “Scholarly articles on horror, broadly. Literature, film, television, games, popular culture, gender and sexuality, history, folklore, sound, fandom, the archive. If the object of study is horror, or horror is the lens, we want to read it. Interdisciplinary work is welcome, and so is work that treats a disreputable text with a straight face.” They pay $25 for articles of 5,000 – 7,000 words, and $0.08/word for fiction. The submission deadline is 31 October 2026. Details here.
Design Room: Video Game Oral Histories, and more
Design Room is a new website “producing oral histories and behind-the-scenes coverage of the video game industry”, and they are accepting freelance pitches. “Have any ideas for oral histories, roundtables, Q&As, or other stories that feel in line with what we’ve published so far? Feel free to DM. Rates typically range from $250-$750.” See the pitch call here.
A Million Little Delights
This is a new magazine and they are open for submissions from women: “AMillion Little Delights is a lifestyle magazine for inquisitive women building cozy, creative lives.” They accept submissions in various categories; “We publish short fiction, poetry, personal and literary essays, intimate interviews, cultural criticisms and reflections, thoughtful travel stories, literary/book/film essays, seasonal recipes, photo essays, creative-living pieces, cozy homemaking, delightfully niche lists, and other work that makes ordinary life feel a little more interesting.
Above all, we’re interested in work that leaves a reader wanting to read something, go somewhere, make something, notice something, or experience her own life a little more fully. We love writing that is curious, intimate, specific, observant, warm, surprising, and full of personality.” They pay $0.08/word for per-word pieces (500-1,000 words), and $30 for original recipes, photo essays, and short poems under 400 words. The deadline is 16th October 2026. Submission is via a form. Details here.
Off Field: Volume 2
Off-Field is a sports storytelling platform; you can read about them here. They are accepting journalism pitches for their second print anthology: “As always, we want these stories to explore the diverse sporting landscapes beyond the familiar, spanning the globe to tell timeless tales about niche subcultures, hidden heroes, and uncharted communities.
We believe some of the most powerful journalism and original storytelling can be found in the margins, so don’t be afraid to pitch us the ideas that proved to be too niche for other publications. … We want beautifully-crafted longreads, and as such we’re flexible on story length. We generally look for anything from 2,500 words but can and will make room for more if the narrative journey needs it.” They’re also accepting photo-essay pitches. They’re accepting pitches for shorter online-only stories, as well. For the print anthology (Volume 2), they’re paying £500 for longreads (2,500+ words), and photography rates (for 20-30 stills) begin at £500. The pitch deadline is 23rd October 2026 for Volume 2. Details here.
Cornelia: Issue 23
“Cornelia Magazine is a visual arts review for Western New York and Southern Ontario published by the Buffalo Institute for Contemporary Art.” Features are 1,500-2,000 words on “visual arts-related topics that have some connection to our region, current exhibitions in the region, or current events that impact visual arts in our region. This might look like a critical investigation of a single exhibition or series of exhibitions, interviews with artists or art workers, a photo series, or something else you’ve been stewing on as long as it relates to recent events in the region.” They pay $450. The pitch deadline is 18th October 2026 for their 23rd issue, which will be published in January; pitching is via a form. Details here.
Poetry magazine essays
They recently reopened for submissions. Apart from poetry of various kinds, they also accept essays related to poetry. From their prose section on Submittable: “These pieces should demonstrate poetry’s role in the wider culture and its manifestations in the writer’s lived experience. This is not a form for straightforward literary criticism or academic prose. Please see our general submissions page for other prose-related calls (book reviews, roundtables, etc). In this form, we are seeking:
– Essays that explore unique or unexpected connections between poetry and the wider culture (pop culture, politics, internet culture, art, etc.). …
– Essays that resurface a poet worthy of closer consideration or that shed new light on a poet/poem via compelling personal narrative.
– Immersive dispatches or literary reportage that illuminate poets/poems, canonical or otherwise. …
– Creative personal essays on the craft of writing poems or poetic lineages. …
– Roundtable discussions or conversations between a group of poets on a specific topic related to poetry or the craft of poetry…
Our typical essay length is about 1,500 – 2,500 words. As a maximum, please submit no more than ten pages”. See guidelines for details, including previous examples what they’ve published. They pay $400 per page of prose, and $400-600 per poem. Details here and here.
Bio: S. Kalekar is the pseudonym of a regular contributor to this magazine. She can be reached here.