Asimov’s Science Fiction

What this publication wants

This is BRYME's summary of the publication's focus — not a copy of their website. Type of writing: Fiction. Official guideline: Asimov’s Science Fiction guidelines.

Topics, themes and styles they look for

• Character-oriented science fiction. Official: SF dominates; they also buy some borderline fantasy, slipstream and surreal fiction.
• Serious, thoughtful, accessible fiction; humour is allowed.
• Standard manuscript format (.DOC, .DOCX or .RTF) via the online form.

Subjects they avoid

• Sword and sorcery. Explicit sex or violence.
• Reprints. Simultaneous submissions.
• Email submissions.
• Any submission written, developed or assisted by AI writing tools. Official: that can get you banned.

Key requirements

• Online system only
• No simultaneous submissions
• No AI
• Standard manuscript format

Who can submit

Official: Asimov’s will consider material submitted by any writer, previously published or not. No country list.

Rights

Official Must Read Magazines rights: exclusive first English-language publication rights for one year; then non-exclusive archive, translation, anthology and limited paper-goods excerpt rights. Major award anthologies may be licensed by the author without asking.

AI policy

Prohibited

How to write for them

Official requirement: always follow the publication's own guideline exactly.

BRYME's practical advice: write for the publication's audience, use a clear structure, keep paragraphs short, lead with a specific angle, and confirm the word count before submitting. These are practical suggestions — they are not the publication's official rules.

How to pitch

Where a pitch is required, this is the general pattern BRYME recommends — always adapt it to the publication's guideline.

1. Research the publication and read several recent pieces.
2. Choose a specific idea that fits their beat and audience.
3. Write a concise subject line naming your idea.
4. Introduce yourself in one or two lines (who you are, where you publish).
5. Explain the proposed piece in a short paragraph — angle, structure, length.
6. Say why it fits this publication.
7. Include 2–3 relevant clips or links.
8. Close professionally and thank them for their time.
9. Send through the official channel only.

Accepting submissions now, with no stated closing date.

Track this pitch

How to submit

Official online submissions system — not email

Apply through the official channel below. BRYME only records submission destinations it has verified.

• Official guideline: opens the publication guideline (new tab)
• Submission: Official online submissions system — not email

What the guideline asks you to prepare

• Read https://asimovs.com/contact-us/writers-guidelines/.
• Submit at https://asimovs.magazinesubmissions.com/.
• Keep the tracking number. Query asimovs@mustreadbookspublishing.com only after 45 days.

What happens after submission

Expected response: Average about five weeks; query after 45 days

If the publication does not state a response time, BRYME records that it is unknown. A follow-up is generally reasonable after a couple of weeks; if there is still no response, treat that as a likely non-acceptance rather than a rejection. Acceptance is normally communicated by the publication. If they accept, they will tell you exactly how to submit the final piece and, for most, how and when payment is made.