Submission Guidelines

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 5 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.
• 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

In addition to general submissions, we are currently seeking writing for these specific projects:

Becoming a Doctor: For a collection to be published by W. W. Norton, Creative Nonfiction is seeking new essays written by physicians and therapists. The essays should depict experiences of “becoming a doctor” and could explore periods of growth and enlightenment, moments of transition, or realizations that one’s maturation as a doctor had been achieved. Essays might also explore periods of doubt and struggle for clarity, or incidents of deep disappointment and disillusionment.

The objective is to capture the frustrations and triumphs of the healing art by encouraging doctors to recall and recreate the most salient and significant moments of their professional lives.

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

Submissions should be approximately 3,000 – 4,000 words. Please send manuscript, accompanied by a cover letter with complete contact information, to:

Creative Nonfiction
Attn: Becoming a Doctor
5501 Walnut Street, Suite 202
Pittsburgh, PA 15232

Postmark deadline May 31, 2008.

The Best Creative Nonfiction, Vol. 3: Editors of any publication, print or online, are invited to nominate up to 3 essays or articles from their 2007/2008 issues. Send one hard copy of each piece to:

The Best Creative Nonfiction
c/o Creative Nonfiction
5501 Walnut Street, suite 202
Pittsburgh, PA 15232

or by email (pdf or Word attachments only): bestcreativenonfiction[at]gmail.com

To be considered, work must be slated for publication before the end of 2008. In the case of work not published by the nomination deadline, please send page proofs or a Word manuscript.

Deadline: July 15