Each year, we select most of the magazine’s contributions at one deadline: March 1. The pitch window opens January 1.
To ensure the magazine keeps pace with current events and the latest research, we also consider pitches on urgent topics and those invited by editors throughout the year. Also, all poetry submissions (except for special calls) are considered on a rolling basis.
SAPIENS uses a “pitch” process, where interested authors submit a brief synopsis of their story idea. A pitch helps our busy editors quickly evaluate ideas for potential pieces—and saves you the time of writing a whole piece before you know if we’re able to accept it.
If you have never pitched a magazine or newspaper before, no problem! We understand this will be a new process for many scholars. In fact, we have developed this self-guided training just for you. Consider our guidance on how to pitch as required reading.
When evaluating pitches, our editors consider:
- Is it grounded in anthropological insights?
- Does it articulate a compelling takeaway?
- Does it have a clear storytelling component or argument?
- Is the author well prepared to tell the story or make the argument?
- Is it a timely story or argument, adding new viewpoints and diverse voices to current conversations?
For the pitch, we’ll ask for your name, email, the story type you’d like to contribute, and four questions:
What is the main takeaway you will communicate to general public readers?
Explain why your piece is timely and relevant to nonacademics. (50 words)
What is your background in anthropology, and why are you the right person to tell this story?
Share if you have an advanced degree, a recently published article or book, and/or relevant work or community position that shows your expertise on this subject. (50 words)
What is your story or argument?
Clearly outline the story or argument, explain why it matters and what’s interesting about it, and tell us what research and/or experiences you’ll draw on. Be sure to convey why this story is timely and relevant for nonacademic readers, and why it’s a good fit for SAPIENS. (250 words)
Will your background, perspective, and/or research contribute to the magazine’s goals of bringing historically marginalized voices forward? (optional)
Explain how this piece will provide voices and stories of diverse viewpoints from people historically marginalized by anthropology. (50 words)
Additional Considerations:
For book excerpts, submit your full proposed section. This can be a complete chapter, an abridged version of one chapter, or parts of multiple chapters combined and lightly edited for clarity, with the full permission of your book’s publisher. The excerpt should be no more than 1,500 words or less and work as a standalone piece. (See here for examples.)
For multimedia pieces, provide the relevant artwork, video, sound files, illustrations, et cetera, along with a brief synopsis of the story you are proposing to tell and your vision for the structure and layout of the piece.
For “moving hearts” contributions, include a full draft of the submission along with the pitch.
When ready, click on the link below. You’ll create a Submittable account; it’s super easy, and we won’t share your information with anyone. Only submit one pitch at a time.
Please reach out to the editorial team if you still need advice or have questions: editor•sapiens.org. We are here to help!
We welcome the opportunity to consider your original, unpublished poetry for publication in SAPIENS. Please submit up to three original poems here.
Each year, we select most of the magazine’s contributions at one deadline: March 1.
However, we consider poems and also pitches on urgent topics and those invited by the editors throughout the year, to ensure the magazine keeps pace with current events and the latest research.
Please submit your pitch here.