Guidelines for Article Submissions

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 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 Point of View, Making Other Arrangements, Sacred & Mundane, Reviews, and Coda departments. No unsolicited poetry, please.

We ask that you submit writing the old-fashioned way: by double-spacing your manuscript or query, placing it in an envelope with a SASE, and dropping it in the post. Electronic submission of manuscripts is highly discouraged, unless circumstances prevent you from sending a hard copy. And please, no phone calls. Be sure that your name and a page number appear on each page of your submission. For those submitting visual materials 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 to you without sufficient pre-paid postage and packaging. We do our best to respond to unsolicited submissions within four months, but in some cases it may take longer. Please understand that we are swamped with inquiries, and a longer wait may be no reflection on the quality of your submission.

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.

Manuscripts and queries should be addressed to The Editors, Orion, 187 Main Street, Great Barrington, MA 01230.

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

Thanks.
The Orion Editors