Overland

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: Overland guidelines.

Topics, themes and styles they look for

• Politically engaged, intellectually challenging, inventive fiction.
• New work from emerging writers in regional Australia is actively sought.
• Word document, 12pt Times New Roman, double-spaced. One story at a time.

Subjects they avoid

• Writers who do not live or work in or around Australia or Aotearoa New Zealand.
• Novel excerpts. A second story while one is still under consideration.
• Resubmitting an edited rejected story unless invited.

Key requirements

• Live or work in/around AU or NZ
• One complete story
• Submittable

Who can submit

Official: currently only accepting fiction from writers living and/or working in or around Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand. Nigeria does not qualify.

Rights

Copyright remains with the authors. CAL copying income is split 80% author / 20% publisher.

AI policy

Not stated in the guideline

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

Submittable — complete story only

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

• Official guideline: opens the publication guideline (new tab)
• Submission: Submittable — complete story only

What the guideline asks you to prepare

• Read https://overland.org.au/submit/fiction-submissions/.
• Use the subscriber or non-subscriber Submittable link on that page.

What happens after submission

Expected response: Up to 6 months. Non-subscribers are not guaranteed a response time.

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.