Longreads

What this publication wants

This is BRYME's summary of the publication's focus — not a copy of their website. Type of writing: Personal essays, Essays. Official guideline: Longreads guidelines.

Topics, themes and styles they look for

• A full, polished personal-essay draft. They will not commission a personal essay from a pitch.
• Smart, unexpected angles and a compelling voice. Wide range of topics.
• Attach PDF, Google Doc or Word, or paste the draft in the email.
• Subject line should include the pitch type (“Personal Essay”) and the topic.
• They do not accept fiction.

Subjects they avoid

• A personal-essay pitch without a finished draft.
• Any submission or pitch written or edited using generative AI tools such as ChatGPT.
• Fiction.

Key requirements

• Finished draft
• Email hello@longreads.com
• Subject includes Personal Essay and the topic

Who can submit

Official page: pitches and original nonfiction from writers and journalists around the world. No country list.

Rights

Not publicly stated on the official submissions 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 finished draft

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 finished draft
• Submission email: hello@longreads.com

What the guideline asks you to prepare

• Email hello@longreads.com with subject line Personal Essay + topic.
• Attach or paste the finished draft.
• They cannot confirm receipt. They generally reply only if interested. Simultaneous submissions are encouraged.

What happens after submission

Expected response: They generally only reply if interested

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.