Essays, Articles, Other
Clarkesworld Magazine
Clarkesworld pays 10 US cents a word, up to 2,500 words, for original articles of interest to science-fiction and fantasy readers. Query first — do not send a finished article. AI-assisted articles are not being considered.
🟢 Currently accepting Verified 2026-08
The docket
The nine things that decide whether a pitch is worth sending. Every answer below is either taken from the publication’s own guideline or computed by BRYME from the 304-publication desk. Where the publication does not say, the docket says so instead of filling the gap in.
- Payment
- 10¢ per word, up to 2,500 words
- Length
- Up to 2,500 words
- Who can submit
- Not statedNo country list on the official non-fiction guidelines.
- Reading period
- Not yet assessedBRYME has not recorded a reading period for this market from its guideline page. That is our gap rather than the publication's silence: it does not mean the window is open, and it does not mean there is none. Read the guideline linked on this page before you send.
- Response time
- Not statedNo response time recorded. A follow-up after two to three weeks is reasonable; silence past that is a soft no, not a rejection.
- Simultaneous submissions
- Not statedThe guideline does not address simultaneous submissions. BRYME records that as silence rather than assuming a yes: if you are sending the same piece to several publications, say so in your cover letter and withdraw it everywhere the moment it is taken.
- AI policy
- AI-assisted work is prohibitedThe guideline forbids AI-generated or AI-assisted writing.
- Rights
- StatedNot separately restated for non-fiction beyond originality. See the official page.
- Experience
- Not statedThe guideline sets no experience requirement. BRYME records that as silence, not as a welcome — a first-time writer is not excluded, but nor are they invited.
What this record does not tell you
This publication leaves 5 of the nine questions unanswered. BRYME publishes that gap instead of filling it — a generated answer would look complete and cost you a pitch.
- Who can submit — the guideline leaves this open, so ask before you spend an evening on the pitch rather than assuming a yes.
- Reading period — no window recorded yet, so check the guideline before you pitch rather than assuming it is open.
- Response time — expect to wait blind, and keep other pitches live.
- Simultaneous submissions — the guideline leaves this open, so declare it in your cover letter rather than assuming.
- Experience — look at what kind of writer this publication normally publishes before you pitch; its guideline does not say.
Record last human-checked 2026-08-19. Sources listed at the foot of this page. This record holds no figure BRYME could compare, so no ranking appears above it. Where a rate is quoted per word, it is never ranked against a flat fee.
Quick facts
- Payment
- 10¢ per word, up to 2,500 words
- Word count
- Up to 2,500 words
- Submission
- Email a query — subject NONFICTION QUERY
- International writers
- Yes
- Status
- 🟢 Currently accepting
- Last verified
- 2026-08
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.
- Research the publication and read several recent pieces.
- Choose a specific idea that fits their beat and audience.
- Write a concise subject line naming your idea.
- Introduce yourself in one or two lines (who you are, where you publish).
- Explain the proposed piece in a short paragraph — angle, structure, length.
- Say why it fits this publication.
- Include 2–3 relevant clips or links.
- Close professionally and thank them for their time.
- Send through the official channel only.
Accepting submissions now, with no stated closing date.
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.
Check, question or correct this record
BRYME publishes its working, not just its conclusions. Last human check: 2026-08.