Guidelines for Written Submissions

The submission window is now closed. The next submission window opens at 9:00 a.m. EST, March 1, 2012, and will close at 9:00 a.m. EST on March 16th, 2012.

The editorial impulse of Orion lies at the nexus of ecology and the human experience. The magazine distinguishes itself from the din of common culture through its depth of inquiry, commitment to interdisciplinary thought, and an emphasis on insight and imagination alongside a big-picture approach to problem-solving.

We appreciate the opportunity to consider unsolicited essays, narrative nonfiction, interviews, and short fiction that are resonant with Orion’s focus on nature, culture, and place. No unsolicited poetry, please. While we are willing to read proposals, we very rarely commission articles on the basis of a query, because a story typically succeeds in Orion by virtue of its execution, as much as its content. We kindly ask that you read a few copies of Orion before approaching us with manuscripts and queries. Submissions that show a general lack of familiarity with the magazine may not be considered.

Orion accepts submissions three times a year, during designated submission windows. We can consider only one submission per person, per submission window. Additional submissions will not be considered. We’ll do our best to respond to your submission within three months, but, in some cases, the wait may be longer. For information regarding submission of visual material, please click here. For information regarding submissions to the Place Where You Live department, please click here.

We only accept manuscripts and queries via our online submission system, which will open again at 9:00 a.m. EST, March 1, 2012. Orion will only accept submissions during open submission periods.

Thank you for your interest in Orion!

The Editors