Submissions Policy:

Some content in Martus is commissioned work by established writers. However, we also warmly welcome submissions from lesser-known and overlooked authors who understand the craft of good nonfiction storytelling. If you know how to responsibly research a true story and turn it into a compelling work of art, we want to see your work.

Martus publishes creative nonfiction in several categories under six regular features:

• First Person Singular
• Reason & Rhetoric
• Riposte & Reply
• Speaking for Themselves
• Reviews
• Photography

Before submitting, please visit MartusJournal.com to acquaint yourself with these regular features to see where your work might fit best.

General Submissions

We will only consider work that has not been published in print or appeared online.

Simultaneous submissions are welcomed, but if your work is accepted elsewhere, please withdraw it through Submittable as soon as possible. Submissions should be approximately 2500-7000 words in length, but we will consider exceptional work that falls outside this range.

Martus pays a set rate of $300 per unsolicited essay. Please note that there is a $5 processing fee.

Proposal-based Submissions

In addition to general or unsolicited submissions, Martus also welcomes proposal-based works year-round. Proposals should be at least 500 words in length and provide the full scope of your idea, including the intended impact of the work, why your proposed work is unique and exciting, the main sources for your research, and how the work would fit into Martus’ mission and aesthetic. Your proposal query should also address why you are the right writer to take on the topic of the essay you propose.

Queries and proposals should be sent to submissions@martusjournal.com, with the word “Proposal” in the subject line.

Compensation for proposal-based contributions varies and is negotiable. Advances may be offered for certain proposals on a case-by-case basis.