Orion Magazine

What this publication wants

This is BRYME's summary of the publication's focus — not a copy of their website. Type of writing: Poetry, Essays, Creative nonfiction. Official guideline: Orion Magazine guidelines.

Topics, themes and styles they look for

• One poem per poet for the Spring 2027 Memory and Place issue, no longer than two single-spaced pages, guest-edited by Pádraig Ó Tuama with poetry editor Roger Reeves.
• Digital nonfiction pitches of up to 400 words — short essays, food pieces, enumerations, conversations, graphic stories and art portfolios.
• Full drafts for short digital pieces under 1,000 words, where a pitch is harder than just reading it.
• Work that expands or challenges an understanding of nature, culture and place.

Subjects they avoid

• AI-assisted work of any kind. Orion states this three separate times on the page, for print, digital and poetry alike.
• Straight exposés of environmental catastrophe, or conceptual work stretched to fit a nature theme.
• Submissions outside an open window — they state they have no capacity to consider them.
• Fiction, book reviews, op-eds or press releases.

Key requirements

• Submittable
• Open window only
• One poem, max 2 pages
• No AI-assisted work

Who can submit

No nationality restriction stated on the guidelines page.

Rights

Not stated on the guidelines 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.

Not accepting submissions at the last check.

Track this pitch

How to submit

Submittable during an open call

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

• Official guideline: opens the publication guideline (new tab)
• Submission: Submittable during an open call
• Submission email: dearorion@orionmagazine.org

What the guideline asks you to prepare

• Read https://orionmagazine.org/submission-guidelines/ and recent issues.
• For the poetry call, submit one poem between 10 and 15 September 2026 — it closes at 800 submissions.
• For digital nonfiction, watch the 1 September and 1 February two-week windows.

What happens after submission

Expected response: Within three months; poetry responses by early 2027

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.