Submission Guidelines

FOOD * IMMORTALITY * MFA PROGRAM-OFF * GENERAL

**UPDATE: Animals **

Thanks to everyone who submitted work to the Animals contest. We received nearly 500 submissions for both and plan to announce finalists by August 16. Thank you all for your patience, and for sharing your stories with us.

Thanks, too, to all the potential illsutrators who sent work samples. We are currently reviewing the submissions and will be in touch soon.

ISSUE THEME and CONTEST: Food
postmark deadline September 3, 2010

For an upcoming issue, we're seeking true stories that incorporate or involve food.

Essays must be vivid and dramatic; they should combine a strong and compelling narrative with a significant element of research or information, and reach for some universal or deeper meaning in personal experiences. We’re looking for well-written prose, rich with detail and a distinctive voice.

Creative Nonfiction editors will award $1000 for Best Essay and $500 for runner-up.

Guidelines: Essays must be: unpublished, 5,000 words or less, postmarked by September 3, 2010, and clearly marked “Food” on both the essay and the outside of the envelope. There is a $20 reading fee (or send a reading fee of $25 to include a 4-issue CNF subscription); multiple entries are welcome ($20/essay) as are entries from outside the U.S. (though subscription shipping costs do apply). Please send manuscript, accompanied by a cover letter with complete contact information (address, phone, and email), word count, SASE and payment to:

Creative Nonfiction
Attn: Food
5501 Walnut Street, Suite 202
Pittsburgh, PA 15232

BOOK PROJECT: Immortality
postmark deadline September 17, 2010

For a new book project, entitled "Immortality," we're seeking new essays from a variety of perspectives on immortality in all its manifestations--biological and medical longevity, as well as the "eternal life" of art and literature, athletes, technology, religion, and genetics. We're looking for essays by writers, physicians, scientists, philosophers, clergy--anyone with an imagination, a vision of the future, an understanding of the past, and a dream (or fear) of what it means to live forever.

Essays must be vivid and dramatic; they should combine a strong and compelling narrative with a significant element of research or information, and reach for some universal or deeper meaning in personal experiences. We’re looking for well-written prose, rich with detail and a distinctive voice.

For examples, see Creative Nonfiction #38 (Spring 2010).

Guidelines: Essays must be: unpublished, 5,000 words or less, postmarked by September 17, 2010, and clearly marked “Immortality” on both the essay and the outside of the envelope. Please send manuscript, accompanied by a cover letter with complete contact information (address, phone, and email), word count, and SASE to:

Creative Nonfiction
Attn: Immortality
5501 Walnut Street, Suite 202
Pittsburgh, PA 15232

CONTEST: Creative Nonfiction's MFA Program-Off
postmark deadline November 5, 2010

Win publication and bragging rights for your program!

Creative Nonfiction is looking for new work by MFA students for publication in an upcoming issue. The winner and four finalists will be invited to read during the 2011 AWP Conference in Washington, DC (February 2-5, 2011).

Submission Guidelines:

• All submissions must be typed, double-spaced, 3,000 words or fewer, and unpublished
• This is a blind read; author's name should appear on cover letter only; title must appear on every page
• No exerpts will be accepted--submission must be a single and complete piece
• Essays must be written by a student who is currently enrolled in an MFA program (in any genre)
• We will consider only one submission per person

Please send submissions, along with a cover letter that includes your name, university, total word count, and complete contact information (including email and phone number) to:

Creative Nonfiction
Attn: AWP Program-Off
5501 Walnut Street, Suite 202
Pittsburgh, PA 15232

GENERAL (UN-THEMED) SUBMISSIONS
accepted year-round

We try to respond to all submissions as soon as possible. We read general submissions year-round, but depending on the time of year, it is not uncommon for a response to take up to 6 months.

What we're looking for:

• Strong reportage
• Well-written prose, rich with detail and a distinctive voice.
• An informational quality or instructive element that offers the reader something to learn (an idea, concept or collection of facts, strengthened with insight, reflection and interpretation.)
• A compelling, focused, sustained narrative that is well-structured, makes sense and conveys meaning.

• Submissions should be typed, double-spaced, 5,000 words maximum (with word count clearly marked).
• Submissions to special issues should be clearly marked.
• Please do not send multiple submissions.
• Please do not send queries. We consider only complete essays.
• Faxed or emailed submissions will not be accepted.
• Please include a self-addressed, stamped envelope for response. We regret that we cannot return manuscripts.
• We will reply to manuscripts sent from outside the United States by email, if an email address is provided.
• We accept simultaneous submissions, but do ask to be kept informed of the status of your manuscript.
• We typically pay $10 per printed page.
  
• Please send unsolicited material to:
  
  Creative Nonfiction Foundation
  5501 Walnut Street, Suite 202
  Pittsburgh, PA 15232