Clarkesworld Magazine

What this publication wants

This is BRYME's summary of the publication's focus — not a copy of their website. Type of writing: Essays, Articles, Other. Official guideline: Clarkesworld Magazine guidelines.

Topics, themes and styles they look for

• Articles on the genre publishing business, the writing or reading process, or scientific material useful in SF stories.
• A query letter with subject NONFICTION QUERY: [title or concept] to nonfiction@clarkesworldmagazine.com.
• Thoughtful, in-depth, well-written subjects they have not covered.

Subjects they avoid

• A completed article instead of a query.
• Reviews, literary criticism, interview pitches, reprints.
• Articles written, co-written or assisted by AI.
• Convention reports, award rants, ten-rules lists, personal alien-abduction memoirs.

Key requirements

• Query first
• Original to Clarkesworld
• No AI

Who can submit

No country list on the official non-fiction guidelines.

Rights

Not separately restated for non-fiction beyond originality. See the official page.

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

Email a query — subject NONFICTION QUERY

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

• Official guideline: opens the publication guideline (new tab)
• Submission: Email a query — subject NONFICTION QUERY
• Submission email: nonfiction@clarkesworldmagazine.com

What the guideline asks you to prepare

• Read the non-fiction section of https://clarkesworldmagazine.com/submissions/.
• Email nonfiction@clarkesworldmagazine.com.

What happens after submission

Expected response: No published response time. They generally only reply to queries they want to follow up.

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.