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SUBMISSION GUIDELINES

The SFWA Blog is open to pitches for original nonfiction articles on topics that might be of interest to creators of science fiction and fantasy (SFF) throughout the globe. WE DO NOT PUBLISH FICTION. SFWA welcomes pitches from both members and nonmembers; Black, Indigenous, and other writers of color, as well as writers of other under-represented identities, are encouraged to submit article pitches.

SFWA primarily serves SFF writers working in both short and long form prose, games, poetry, translations, and comics, so we’re interested in seeing topics relevant to those audiences. They may be geared toward experienced writers or beginning writers, but we tend to run articles geared toward experienced writers more frequently. Potential topics may relate to, but are not limited to: the craft of writing, the business of writing and publishing, critical examinations of tropes in SFF, social issues in SFF, media tie-ins, writing across genres and formats, personal perspectives, career transitions, what to know about self-publishing, current trends and topics in the SFF zeitgeist, and managing multiple projects. We are particularly interested in pieces on SFF communities and structures outside of the USA.

We sometimes look for particular topics: see our current OPEN CALLS below.

Articles can take the form of an essay, reported piece, how-to, listicle, and Q&A. A series of articles may be considered.

We are not interested in analyses of singular works, microgenres, reviews, fiction, or pieces that primarily focus on self-promotion. At this time, topics related to generative artificial intelligence and/or machine learning will not be accepted. Instead, we encourage folks to visit our webpage that gathers SFWA members’ thoughts, articles, and other works on the subject.

Ideal article length is between 800–1000 words. Pay is $0.10/word on final draft wordcount.

Rights: First English language rights in print and digital formats for a single issue. Exclusive rights for one month from publication.

Submissions can be made here: https://airtable.com/shr3HpNGBcn39XkAx

Our pitch submission form will ask for the following:

• proposed article topic – a clear angle explained in the pitch is an asset
• expected article length
• estimate of how long it will take you to produce the piece
• a link to samples of your writing (such as blog posts or published articles), if you have any

If you don’t have any writing samples, we still welcome your pitch!

Please do not send completed articles or samples of the article you’re pitching for consideration. These will be automatically rejected. No multiple submissions. Simultaneous submissions are acceptable, but please indicate this in your bio section of the form.

Pitches that have been generated by artificial intelligence or machine learning tools will not be accepted.

What we’d love to see is a pitch with a clear focus and point of view that communicates why this topic is relevant for SFWA’s audience. If you’d like some guidance on pitching an article, this Writer’s Digest piece has some good advice. 

Please do not send submissions for an article you have previously published elsewhere; if the article was published on your personal blog, that counts as having been previously published.

Allow up to 45 days for a response. In most cases, we will use form letters. After that time, you may query at publications@sfwa.org .

We expect article drafts to be delivered within 30 days of pitch acceptance. Contracts will be issued for articles after editing is complete. Payment will be issued on receipt of a completed and signed contract.

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OPEN CALLS

Ideal article length is between 800–1000 words. Pay is $0.10/word on final draft word count.

To Newsletter or Not

Marketing is often daunting work. One common recommendation for SFF writers is to start a newsletter or similar direct-to-inbox publishing service in order to build a list of engaged readers and improve future sales. Some writers swear by the benefits. Others find newsletters to be more trouble than they’re worth. Then there’s the challenge of finding the right tool for the job in a sea of free and pay-to-use multimedia platforms. Also, what should the newsletter itself be about? We’d love to start a conversation. Send us a pitch on best practices or words of warning, the perks of the format, or why an alternative marketing strategy would be better.

Social Media Silos and SFF

We’re living in a fragmented age for social media, which poses serious challenges for SFF writers trying to broaden their audience and promote their work. How are we rising to this confusing moment? What tips and secondary tools can help writers post with ease across a wide range of social media platforms? When is it best to invest in growing a community in just one or two places? And is there an argument to be made for leaving social media almost entirely and advancing one’s career through in-person and video events instead? Let us know what strategies exist and why they’re worth a try!

Volunteer Networks: The Heart of SFF

Volunteering for SFF magazines and organizations is a great way to sharpen skills and gain a deeper appreciation for the ins and outs of publishing. Then there are the fans who keep conventions thriving and create other spaces to grow a love of SFF—they’re the heart of our industry! However you use volunteering to network with others, build community, and elevate good work, we’d love to hear from you. How does one get started? What are healthy expectations to hold and red flags to watch out for? How does one avoid burnout? What are the need-to-knows? Do you have an unsung history of volunteering in SFF to share?

Writing from History

SFF writers use history in a number of ways. From “what-if” alt-histories framed around major world events to looser reimaginings of whole historical eras, the SFWA Blog wants articles that reflect on the dangers and benefits of rewriting history. Your piece might take a more technical approach (e.g., research tips or bypassing the Tiffany Problem) or offer an overview of how a wide range of authors have reimagined a specific moment in history. You might reflect on how alt-history has been used to call attention to marginalization or argue that some uses of history in SFF gloss over serious issues in the past. What does a writer need to do to make the best use of historical revision in their work today?

Keep it focused!

Tricks and Traps in Translation

Are you a translator or someone whose writing has been translated into another language? If so, the SFWA Blog is keen to hear from you. We’re looking for contributions to a rolling series that will cover a wide range of issues. From forming that first relationship with a would-be author-in-translation to exploring the range of payment schemes with translation work today, to deciding what kind of translation will best serve the audience: let your fellow professional and professionalizing writer know how to navigate the wonderful world of translation.