Overland

What this publication wants

This is BRYME's summary of the publication's focus — not a copy of their website. Type of writing: Essays, Opinion, Analysis, Reviews. Official guideline: Overland guidelines.

Topics, themes and styles they look for

• Short, punchy, topical literary, political and cultural analysis.
• A completed piece via Submittable, or a ~100-word pitch on the pitch page: what, why you, how it differs, when you can file.

Subjects they avoid

• Personal essays or creative nonfiction online unless very consistently linked to political concerns.
• Do not invent a print-essay fee while the two official print figures disagree.

Key requirements

• Submittable or official pitch form
• Political/cultural analysis

Who can submit

The official online nonfiction page does not list countries. Do not copy the Australia/NZ fiction rule onto this card.

Rights

Copyright remains with the authors.

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 (completed piece) or the official pitch form

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

• Official guideline: opens the publication guideline (new tab)
• Submission: Submittable (completed piece) or the official pitch form

What the guideline asks you to prepare

• Read https://overland.org.au/submit/nonfiction-submissions/.
• Pitch page: https://overland.org.au/submit/pitch-to-overland/.

What happens after submission

Expected response: Up to 6 months

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.