There are 30 themed calls for pitches/submissions from 19 outlets listed here. Some themes are: touch; wild in the city; islands; extinction; gaming; kindness; teenagers; the Caribbean; your brain on planet earth; the endocrine system; ugly; artwork biography; and personal journeys. Some have announced their deadlines, but not all. – S. Kamble

Bitch Media (#93): Touch
They are always looking for pitches that offer a feminist analysis of culture (which encompasses cultural attitudes and myths, phenomena of the popular imagination, and social trends as well as movies, TV shows, web series, books, internet subcultures, politics, science, health, and life, including food, parenting, chronic illness, relationships, religion, activism, education, climate change, and more). They accept pitches for online work on a rolling basis, and periodically for themed print issues.
For the Touch-themed issue, they have extensive guidelines, including: “After a year and a half of pandemic-altered daily life, the contact so many of us were able to take for granted—handshakes, hugs, nights at dance clubs, visiting hours at hospitals, public transportation—remains a source of fear, unease, and even anger. Touch is one of many ways that humans connect, and one of the senses we depend on to understand ourselves, those we love, and those around us. … But in a time of restricted contact … we have also found ways to rethink what it means to touch. … KEY WORDS: connection, intimacy, healing, sensation, stimuli, ritual, reactivity, handmade, hands-on, movement, closeness, vibes, allergies, scars, denseness, alienation, consciousness, texture, contact, fight, caste, communal, punishment, contagion, claustrophobia, ownership, recoil, wellness, pressure”. They publish features, dispatches, and columns on culture. Pay is generally $700-$1,000 for features, $350 for dispatches, and between $250-$700 for culture stories. The deadline is 7 November 2021. Details here.

Inverse: Gaming
Inverse publishes work under the broad themes of science, innovation, entertainment, mind and body, gaming, and culture. Currently, they want pitches from freelancers who write on gaming – “ambitious features and interviews outside the typical press cycle, ongoing column ideas, and spicy takes on the biggest conversations in the space.” Also, “weekly columns and shorter takes would be $150-250, most interviews in the $250-500 range depending on sources, with the top-end being something like a 3000-word oral history at $1000”. Details here (Twitter thread) and here (general guidelines).

ASK: Wild in the City
This is a science and nonfiction magazine from Cricket Media, and they run other children’s magazines as well. They welcome queries for articles, for ASK Magazine. They publish feature articles (400–1200 words, with sidebars); photo essays (400–800 words); humor pieces (200–400 words); profiles/interviews of scientists, inventors, engineers, artists (200–1000 words); theme-appropriate experiments; science panel cartoons (2–6 pages). The upcoming pitch deadline is for ‘Wild in the City’. Their guidelines say, “Can wild plants and animals survive in a city?
Wild animals adapting to urban places; what makes a survivor; problem neighbors.” The pitch deadline is 30 November 2021.
They have other themes listed, too, with later deadlines. Details here (click on ASK).
(Also see guidelines and themes for Cricket Media’s Cobblestone and Faces magazines; details for MUSE Magazine are below.)

MUSE: Islands; Extinction
This is Cricket Media’s science and nonfiction magazine for 9-14-year-olds, and they publish other magazines for children, too. They publish feature articles (800–2,000 words, including sidebars), profiles and interviews, particularly of underrepresented STEM professionals (500–800 words), activities and experiments (500–800 words), photo essays (100–300 words), science fiction or science-focused fiction (800–1,200 words), and infographics. They have some upcoming themed deadlines, including these:
— Islands: “Why big animals get small and small animals get big on islands. The fabulous birds of paradise—why living on an island gave them incredible plumage. How delicate are island ecosystems?—explore Hawaii’s struggle with invasive species. How does an island form? The disappearing island—why some islands can simply vanish. Life on an island—would be great if we could talk to a kid who lives on a small island. How do island communities get supplies, weather storms, etc. How to make an artificial island.” The pitch deadline is 15 November 2021.
— Extinction: “Modern-day extinction wave. How many animals on the planet are threatened? How about plants? Danger zones for animals: why certain habitats are disappearing faster than others. Helping threatened animals that aren’t cute and cuddly (why pandas get the big bucks and blobfish don’t). The ugliest animals that need the most help. How does the current extinction wave compare with extinctions of the past? A success story in conservation. Possibly story of conservation that didn’t work, as well. The technology of conservation: how do you replicate delicate ecosystems? Why is cloning NOT the answer?” The pitch deadline is 15 December 2021.
Details here (click on MUSE).

Boneyard Soup Magazine: Cabinet of Curiosities
This is a horror and dark fantasy magazine, and their tagline is ‘The Weird. The Morbid. The Macabre’. For nonfiction their guidelines say, “One ancestor to the modern museum was the cabinet of curiosity, or Wunderkammer in German. These were private collections of strange and interesting objects amassed by wealthy persons in Europe. The earliest date back to at least the middle ages. In that spirit, Boneyard Soup Magazine is committed to developing a wonder cabinet of sorts. Each issue will feature up to two non-fiction articles curated under the title Cabinet of Curiosities. Authors of these pieces will delve deeply into topics from the world of horror.
The idea is to explore the strange side of reality. Urban legends. Documented ghost stories. Myths. Odd, terrifying, or befuddling events from history. Anything creepy, weird, or horrifying is fair game here.” Query first for non-fiction; completed articles are up to 3,000 words, and pay is $0.05/word. They also accept fiction submissions and artwork queries. Details here.

Chicken Soup for the Soul: Kindness; Humorous Stories; Preteens; Teenagers
They publish nonfiction stories and poems, of up to 1,200 words, on specific themes. They have extensive guidelines on each theme, excerpts of which are below.
— Kindness: “Small gestures can make a big difference in someone’s day, even in someone’s life. … Has someone performed an act of kindness for you? How did it feel? Did you pay it forward and do something kind for someone else? Did that person know it was you doing that kind thing? Did you do something kind for a stranger knowing you would not be paid back? How did that feel?
We are looking for true stories about acts of kindness that have happened to you or stories about a kindness that you performed for someone else. Stories can be serious or funny but they should definitely inspire our readers to look for ways in which they can perform kind acts.” The deadline is 31 October 2021.
— Humorous Stories: “Share your funny 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, at work or at home – that made you and the people around you laugh out loud. Did you mean for it to be funny? Did the other person mean to make you laugh? Did a situation just get out of control? Did a misunderstanding turn into a comedy of errors?” Some suggested themes are: Slips of the tongue; Misunderstandings that led to funny moments; Weird habits; COVID comedy/isolation incidents; Wedding mishaps; Holiday meltdowns; and DIY projects. The deadline is 20 November 2021.
— Preteens: This book is about preteen years (ages 9-12). “Scientific research has proven that being thankful improves your health, your cognitive functions, and your relationships. Young people who see the silver linings, count their blessings, and maintain a positive perspective weather the ups and downs of life much better than those who bemoan their fates and focus on the negative.
We’re looking for your uplifting true stories and poems about how you used the power of gratitude to change your own life while you navigated the preteen and teenage years. You’ll help readers through your examples and your personal tips on how to use thankfulness and appreciation.” They have several suggested topics, including: Learning that less can be more; Realizing that possessions are not as important as other things, like relationships and family; Doing for others – volunteer work, random acts of kindness; Appreciating your family members. The deadline is 20 December 2021.
— Teenagers: This book is about teenage years (ages 13-19). The premise is the same as for the Preteens book, above, except that this one talks about the teen experience. The deadline is 20 December 2021.
They also have other themes listed, with deadlines in 2022: Cats; Counting your blessings; Crazy, eccentric, wacky, lovable, fun families; Dogs; Miracles; Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hanukkah and New Year’s; and Messages from heaven. Pay is $200. Details here (themes), here (guidelines), and here (submission portal).

The Antihumanist: Anti-human narratives
This magazine publishes anti-human essays (750-1,500 words), letters (up to 350 words), as well as flash fiction. Their guidelines say, “We want essays and letters that challenge human centred narratives, that force us to confront our place in the universe, that make us question: Who are we? Why are we here? Is there a purpose?
Equally, we are willing to accept essays that challenge the antihumanist project and explicitly refute antihumanist assumptions and presuppositions.
However, we are not interested in essays which ignore antihumanism entirely.” They also have details on how they want the essay structured, as well as other hints and tips. Pay is $0.05/word. The deadline is 1 December 2021. Details here.

Tribal College Journal: Public Health
They want themed feature articles and shorter pieces. All articles must engage tribal colleges and universities in some way. Possible feature article topics are specified on the website, but alternative topics on each theme are welcome. They want both long features (2500-3000 words) and shorter features (1500-2000 words), and various department pieces (some of which are unpaid – read guidelines). For Summer 2021, the theme is Public Health. Their guidelines say, “Many parts of Indian Country have been hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic. What are some of the underlying structural factors that have exacerbated infection rates in Indian Country? What precautionary steps have tribal communities taken? What role have tribal colleges played in investigating and mitigating this public health crisis? What are some of the public health programs that TCUs offer?” Deadline for feature story suggestions is November 6, 2020; the features deadline is January 8, 2021; the On Campus news shorts deadline is January 15, 2021. They also have other themes listed, with later deadlines. Details here (theme details) and here (guidelines).

School Library Connection: Science; Inquiry/Research
This is a resource for school library professionals. Their website says, “School Library Connection is a publication of Libraries Unlimited, a publisher in the field of academic, public, school, and special libraries since 1964. Libraries Unlimited’s mission—to cultivate and maintain a supportive community where librarians, archivists, and information specialists can learn about and discuss leading-edge trends and acquire new skills through every phase of their careers”. Two of their upcoming themes are: Science (November/December 2021); and Inquiry/Research (January/February 2022). They have other themes listed, as well. Details here (themes; download submission guidelines).

Taproot Magazine: Refresh; Sow; Imagine
They want pieces exploring the topics of food, farm, family and craft. The magazine is divided into three sections: Head – essays about living a more connected life; Hands – recipes, crafts and projects to make yourself; and Heart – the personal experience of more connected living. Also, “We are looking for traditional and modern crafts. We are looking for recipes, and techniques to be carried into the kitchen, the garden, the pasture, the urban homestead, the rural farm.” Articles are 800-4,000 words. They have several themes listed, including: Refresh (deadline 1 November 2021); Sow (deadline 1 December 2021); and Imagine (deadline 1 February 2021). Details here.

Unbias the News: The Caribbean
Unbias the News is an all-women feminist newsroom. They want “pitches focusing on the Caribbean: Haiti, Jamaica, Cuba, Trinidad & Tobago, Dominican Republic and more. Got an underreported story that needs a home?” Pay is €500 for reported pieces and €250 for personal narratives/opinion. Details in the Twitter thread here.

Aurealia Magazine: Writers, Emerge – Growth
This is an opportunity for writers of a marginalised gender (a woman, a non-binary person or a trans man), who have been published no more than five times (there is some leeway – for example, if you have only written for student publications or volunteer-led magazines). They want pitches of first-person pieces on the theme of Growth. The word count will be decided on a case-by-case basis upon commission. “The piece you wish to write for us must be in response to our theme of ‘Growth’ – this can be interpreted any way you like – though please include a couple of sentences on how you feel your piece will explore it. Your pitch should also be accompanied by an opening paragraph so we can get a feel of your writing style.” Pay is £40, and the pitch deadline is 31 October 2021. Details here.

The Suburban Review: Ugly
They publish creative non-fiction, as well as fiction, poetry, and art. They are currently accepting submissions for the ‘Ugly’ theme. Their guidelines say, “It’s visceral. It’s political. It’s Daphne and Celeste’s 2000 hit single. It’s UGLY. We might have ugly pasts, or ugly futures, to say nothing of the present. This aesthetic category–not quite the same as abject, not quite the same as grotesque–is all around us…perhaps even within. This issue, we want you to tell us where you see it. Revolting, repulsive, show us all of it. Because ugly is, after all, in the eye of the beholder.” Pay is $75-150 for creative non-fiction of 500-2,500 words. The deadline is 20 October 2021. Details here.

Poets & Writers: Hyperlocal and national stories for writers; Conferences & Residencies
This US-based magazine publishes 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.
— Hyperlocal and national stories for writers: According to a recent Tweet, they “would love to hear tips and pitches about both hyperlocal and national stories of interest to writers.” Pay is $350 for news pieces (usually 700-900 words).
— Conferences & Residencies: The March/April 2022 issue of Poets & Writers Magazine is on Conferences & Residencies (see this link), according to their editorial calendar for advertisers. There is no deadline specified for writers for this theme.
They do not publish fiction, poetry, or book reviews. Details here (writers’ guidelines).

Fed: Sliced – War and Conflict
Fed wants pitches for its food journalism magazine, Sliced; the theme is War and Conflict. Pay is CAD0.15/word for pieces up to 1,200 words. Details here (Twitter thread).

Critical Read: Two series
This is a nonprofit organization supporting the promotion of the arts  (nonprofit arts including but not limited to ballet, drama, classical music, opera, jazz, performance, installation, visual art) and culture in the US. “We have a particular interest in deserving works of art that are not (yet) considered canonical. Our priority is works of art by American artists. We are very interested in pitches about works of art by American artists whose legacies have not been adequately protected.” They are accepting pitches for two series: Artwork Biographies (for which there is a pitch deadline), and artist profiles for their Open Canon series (for which no pitch deadline is given).
— Artwork Biography: These are their deep dives. “These stories are fact-based and narrative-driven. They balance opinion with research and reporting, but their emphasis is on storytelling. You can think of them as non-academic criticism aimed at the general interest reader … For these stories we are  particularly interested in non-canonical American artists whose legacies  have not been adequately protected. We will consider pitches for stories that touch on works of obscure or vintage pop culture and Americana.” These are typically assigned at 4,000-5,000 words. The pitch deadline is 31 December 2021.
— Artist Profiles for Open Canon: They want stories of underappreciated American artists. “We are particularly interested in those writers, artists, and performers whose work has been unfairly overlooked or forgotten because of their race, ethnicity, gender or sexual orientation.
We want short, informative profiles of these American artists whose work hasn’t historically been considered canonical but maybe should be. What was their most important contribution to American art history? Was it a particular way of working, an idea, a style?” They do not want pitches on contemporary artists for this column. Details here.

Speculative City: Queer AND BIPOC writers
Speculative City “embraces the motivations of speculative fiction and integrates them into a focus of setting: the city.”Also, “We seek provocative fiction, poetry, and essays that are centered within the cityscape—cities are vital spaces of community that act as a welcome ground and place of exploration.” For the upcoming issue, they want submissions only from writers who identify as both, Queer AND BIPOC. Submissions are up to 5,500 words. Pay is $20-55. The submission deadline is 15 November 2021. Details here.

BrainFacts.Org: Your Brain on Planet Earth; The Endocrine System; The Pipeline
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 currently, including the following, but also say that they are open to all neuro-related pitches at any time.

— Your Brain on Planet Earth: “Climate change has altered our human experience — even more so the animal models researchers study. Expanding urban cities, drought, land, water, and air pollution touches us all. How does this impact the brain?”
— The Endocrine System: “Dive back into the health class you slept through in secondary school: what’s the brain’s role in menstruation, menopause, pregnancy, and conditions of the uterus + what are neuroscientists uncovering to understand more about this body system?”
— The Pipeline: “Neuroscience has a diversity issue. (They’re not alone.) Who are the people working to change the field through targeted programs or their labs, and why does it matter?”
They assign long (1000-1200 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 (guidelines) and here (themes).

Yes! Magazine: The Personal Journeys Issue
Yes! is a publisher of solutions journalism. They have extensive guidelines for their upcoming Personal Journeys issue, including: “We’re looking for pitches and leads for reported stories, essays, and analyses that will explore personal approaches to activism, and simply, ways of being engaged in what is going on in our communities. These stories should reveal how personal change is connected to the greater change we all want to see, how transforming the ways in which individuals see each other can transform the policies that govern us and the stewardship we provide for the land—and the planet.
Send us your leads and pitches on the people, initiatives, or groups that help us connect to the ways in which we take responsibility for our role in creating a better world.”  Print base rate for reported articles is $0.50/word. Commentaries may receive a small essay stipend. The deadline for pitches is 22 October 2021. Details here (theme details) and here (general guidelines).

Bio: S. Kalekar is the pseudonym of a regular contributor to this magazine. She is the author of 182 Short Fiction Publishers. She can be reached here.