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Regular Submission Guidelines

Regular submissions of poetry, nonfiction and fiction will open January 1, 2025, and close March 31, 2025.

Terrain.org  welcomes submissions from new and experienced authors and artists alike.

Submission Period: January 1, 2025 – March 31, 2025

Our online journal accepts only the finest poetry, essays, fiction, articles, artwork, videos, and other contributions—material that reaches deep into the earth’s fiery core, or humanity’s incalculable core, and brings forth new insights and wisdom. We are seeking work in English (or translation) from around the world, and particularly Indigenous, Native, Black, Brown, and other historically marginalized and underrepresented voices as we expand our contributions on social, environmental, and climate justice.

Terrain.org pays all contributors $50 per published submission.

We do not accept previously published submissions except as excerpts of published books. In that case, please query us at info@terrain.org.

We do our best to respond to all submissions within 16 weeks. Please do not submit more than once every six months unless invited to do so.


How to Submit

For contest submission guidelines, click here.

We are once again accepting Letter to America submissions.

Terrain.org  considers original, unpublished work, and simultaneously submitted materials are just fine (please notify us in Submittable right away when all or a portion of your submission is accepted elsewhere).

To withdraw the full or a part of your submission, please log into Submittable and withdraw or add a note to your submission.

All contributions are fully archived.

With the exception of queries, all work must be submitted online via Terrain.org’s Submittable system.

submit

A single document containing your submission (one story, one essay, up to six poems, or the like) must be submitted in .doc, .docx, .rtf, .txt, or .pdf format. For videos, please paste the link of the video in your cover letter if it has been uploaded to YouTube or Vimeo.

Poetry and prose submissions sent in hard copy or by email will not be read nor returned.

  • Please query info@terrain.org for book excerpts, interviews, video ideas, and Unsprawl case studies.

Artwork may also be embedded in the prose or poetry submission (or shared via embedded link) and, if accepted, separate, higher-resolution files will be requested.

Every submission should include brief biographical information about the author or artist, either in the comments area of Submittable, or included in the single document of the submission itself. The title(s) of the piece, author’s or artist’s name, address, email, and relevant website address (if applicable) must appear on the first page of each submission, as either a separate title page or cover letter, or in the header or footer of each submitted piece.

Do not submit more than once every six months.

Terrain.org’s editors make every attempt to respond to all submissions, via email, within four months. Once you submit you will receive electronic confirmation of the submission via the Submissions Manager. If you have not heard from us within four months, please feel free to send us a note.

Terrain.org acquires online publication rights for the life of the journal, as well as the right to reprint the work in an anthology.

Terrain.org pays $50 per published contribution.


What to Submit

View contest submission guidelines.

Submissions are considered for the following genres, and mixed-genre and multimedia submissions—including photo essays, narrative slideshows, poem essays, and videos—will gladly be considered. If unsure, query us at info@terrain.org, but use this email for queries only.

Poetry
Poetry need not follow any particular form. Terrain.org’s Poetry section may include multiple works from single authors as well as single works from single authors. Submit from two to six poems of any length in a single document. We also consider poem/image combinations, as well as online chapbooks. Photos or other graphics may be inserted into the document, but if accepted will be requested as separate files.

Nonfiction
Creative nonfiction, personal essays, photo essays, and other essays need not follow any particular style. 5,000 words maximum for creative nonfiction. Articles may be technical or journalistic in nature. For these more technical pieces, strive for at least 1,500 words, with no maximum. Accompanying resource links, graphics, and sidebars are encouraged. Photos or other graphics may be inserted into the document, but if accepted will be requested as separate files.

Fiction
Short stories, excerpts from novels, flash fiction, radio plays, drama, and other forms of fiction are encouraged. 5,000 words maximum.

Interviews
Interviews should reflect on the theme of the built and natural environments. We encourage diversity in careers, backgrounds, ethnicity, genders, and perspectives. Recommended word count is 1,500 to 3,000 words. To submit an interview or interview idea, please contact us at info@terrain.org.

Reviews
We are currently not accepting review submissions or queries.

Videos
Videos spanning any genre and approach are welcome.

ARTerrain Gallery
The ARTerrain gallery may include photographs, drawings, paintings, site graphics, and any other visual (and video/audio) media. Only one artist is highlighted in each ARTerrain gallery. Between 8 and 20 electronic images (or video/audio) should include supporting narrative and a biographical sketch of the artist.

Unsprawl Case Study
The Unsprawl case study is an in-depth narrative and design-oriented review of a development that is environmentally, economically, and culturally more viable than conventional suburban “sprawl” development. May highlight a new development, redevelopment, or historically livable project, site, community, or regional system in urban, suburban, and rural areas. Compensation may be available for Unsprawl case studies. To submit an Unsprawl case study or query us about a case study, please contact us at info@terrain.org. Payment for case studies may be available.

Letter to America
Please submit your prose, poetry, visual art-based, video, or other Letter to America (generally up to 1,500 words) in a single document. Photos or other graphics may be inserted into the document, but if accepted will be requested as separate files.


submit


Terrain.org is highly competitive, but we value every submission and appreciate the opportunity to review your work.

For more information, please contact us.