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Guidelines for Article Submissions

Please note:

The editors of Orion appreciate the opportunity to review unsolicited material from readers and the community at large. Due to the volume of submissions we receive, we are now only accepting queries and manuscripts during posted submission periods.

The next submission period will be January 15-30, 2010. Manuscripts received during this time will receive a response by April 30, 2010.

Orion is also switching to an electronic-only submission process. This is an easy way to reduce Orion’s environmental footprint, particularly in the areas of paper consumption and shipping. Anyone who is unable to submit electronically can request an exemption by writing to omeditors@orionsociety.org or to Orion, 187 Main Street, Great Barrington, MA 01230. Submissions receiving an exemption must still be received during an open submission period.

Unsolicited electronic submissions will not be read outside of the submission period. Unsolicited paper submissions will be returned or recycled. As always, Orion does not accept unsolicited poetry.

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Orion welcomes your thoughtful submissions concerning the collision of nature and culture, the commingling of people and place. The editors place a high value on fresh and surprising material, as well as fresh and surprising approaches to material that might otherwise seem commonplace. Although the articles in any given issue of Orion range widely over a vast terrain, the notion of ecology is the glue that holds it all together.

The magazine distinguishes itself from the din of common culture through its depth of inquiry, commitment to interdisciplinary thought, and focus on the soulful qualities that inform our daily lives. Insight and imagination are qualities we encourage, alongside a big-picture approach to problem-solving. While paying due respect to the past and the present, Orion is typically forward-looking, anticipating the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead for people and nature.

We kindly ask that you read a few copies of Orion before approaching us with manuscripts and queries—well, actually, we insist. Submissions that show a general lack of familiarity with the magazine will not be taken seriously. Currently, Orion considers unsolicited essays, narrative nonfiction, interviews, profiles, short stories, photoessays, and portfolios of fine art. We also consider submissions for our Making Other Arrangements, Sacred & Mundane, and Coda departments. No unsolicited poetry, please. The Orion editors rarely commission articles on the basis of a query.

Orion only accepts electronic submissions made during a designated submission period. The next submission period is June 15–30, 2009. Submissions sent outside the submission period or through postal mail will not be read. During the designated submission period, please e-mail materials to submissions@orionsociety.org.

If you have extenuating circumstances and cannot submit electronically, you can request an exemption by writing to omeditors@orionsociety.org or to Orion, 187 Main Street, Great Barrington, MA 01230. Submissions receiving an exemption from the electronic-only policy must still be received during an open submission period.

For those submitting visual material with their articles, CDs and DVDs are preferred, but e-mailing low-resolution jpegs is also acceptable (please inquire first, however). Web links are also handy for introducing your work. Orion is not responsible for materials submitted on speculation, and they will not be returned without sufficient pre-paid postage and packaging.

For those who made it this far, here are some nitty-gritty details: Orion is published bimonthly. Feature articles range from 1,500 to 5,000 words, departments from 350 to 1,200 words. Our lead time is typically six to nine months. We pay $400 to $1,000 for feature pieces, $50 to $450 for shorter texts. We purchase first North American serial rights, as well as exclusive worldwide electronic rights for sixty days and nonexclusive permanent web rights for our electronic archive.

For information regarding submission of visual material find the link to guidelines here.

Thank you for your interest!

The Orion Editors