Guidelines for Article Submissions

Note: the editors of Orion appreciate the opportunity to review unsolicited material from readers and the community at large. Due to the high volume, we now only accept submissions twice yearly, during designated submission windows. The next submission period will be January 15-30, 2011. Manuscripts received during this time will receive a response by April 30, 2011.

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 fiction, picture essays, and portfolios of fine art. We also consider submissions for our Place Where You Live and Coda departments. No unsolicited poetry, please. The Orion editors are willing to read proposals for articles, though we rarely commission articles on the basis of a query. 

Orion only accepts electronic submissions. Unsolicited electronic submissions will not be read outside of the submission period. Unsolicited paper submissions will be returned or recycled.

During the designated submission period, please e-mail materials to submissions@orionmagazine.org. Please, no more than two submissions of no more than 6,000 words each per person. For information regarding submission of visual material, go here.  Anyone who is unable to submit electronically can request an exemption by writing to omeditors@orionmagazine.org or to Orion, 187 Main Street, Great Barrington, MA 01230. Submissions receiving an exemption must still be received during an open submission period. 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 6,000 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.

Thank you for your interest!
The Orion Editors