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Writers Guidelines
Thank you for your interest in Science & Spirit. We appreciate the time and effort it takes for you to prepare a submission for us.
Who We Are
Science & Spirit is a nonprofit magazine published six times per year. Our intellectually curious, educated, multifaith readers are opinion leaders who have an interest in how science, technology, religion, and ethics connect in their everyday lives.
The magazine speaks with an authoritative voice and a serious, yet friendly, tone—without becoming so casual as to undermine the importance of the discussion. Philosophical at times, the writing is always thoughtful and sympathetic to readers’ struggles with the complexities of life. Science & Spirit speaks with the conviction of having queried the experts and considered the value and source of the feedback and response, and then encourages readers to reach a considered conclusion about the question or topic at hand.
Most articles are written by scholars, scientists, or freelance writers. As a magazine that has published Pulitzer Prize-winning authors, high standards of writing and research are expected, but we are always seeking new voices.
What We’re Looking For
The most successful submissions are focused pieces that contain unique information about the science and religion dialogue. We already know that science, faith, and ethics intersect—we’re looking for angles we’ve never heard before, explored in new and innovative ways.
There are various ways to contribute: News
Front-of-the-book news briefs cover topics ranging from gender and genes to technology and outer space. Most pieces are between 200 and 600 words in length and combine a clear, incisive summary of the news itself with an analysis of how the particular topic relates to our everyday lives—whether it impacts human behavior; helps explain human origins; or gives insight into who, what, and why we are. Features
The middle of the magazine is filled with both reporting and fresh analysis. Articles are thoughtful, provocative, timely, and based on recent research, trends, conferences, or current events. They include evidence of scientific research, interviews with expert sources, and diverse viewpoints representing a wide variety of religious traditions and the science-and-religion academic community where appropriate. Full-length features generally run between 1,500 and 3,000 words. Views & Opinion
Rounding out each issue is the book section, which includes three book reviews varying in length between 400 and 700 words, as well as a roundup essay incorporating several titles related to a common theme. Most roundup authors are chosen based on their expertise within a particular subject area, and draw from three to five books on that subject in order to weave together a coherent, engaging essay of about 2,000 words. The best way to determine what we’re looking for is by becoming familiar with what we’re currently publishing. It’s strongly encouraged that writers check several recent issues of the magazine (available on the Web site under “Archives”) to get a sense of our focus and to determine if their proposals are suitable for Science & Spirit. Back issues can be ordered online or by sending an email request to reprints@science-spirit.org.
How to Query Us
Pitch your idea(s) as clearly and in as much detail as possible. Give us a sense of your approach and style: Explain the topic you’d like to explore, the angle you plan to take, and how you will proceed with the reporting. Include potential sources, possible sidebars, and prospective artwork (photos, charts, graphs). And tell us a little about yourself: What are your specific qualifications to write on this topic? What pieces have you previously written for a general audience? We also are happy to consider finished pieces—as long as they have not been published elsewhere. Technical jargon should be avoided. Footnotes should never be used. If another publication has run a similar story in the last few months, tell us how your story will be different. Keep in mind that Science & Spirit’s lead time is always more than three months; submissions should not be so time-sensitive that they appear dated. It is the writer’s responsibility to make sure all facts, including names, affiliations, numbers, dates, and quotes are correct. Our stories are vigorously fact-checked. Please be prepared to submit reference citations for quotations from published material and, if asked, the telephone numbers and e-mail addresses of interview subjects in order to facilitate the fact-checking process. If you have not contributed to Science & Spirit before, please send two to three photocopies of or links to previously published articles. We accept queries by mail to:
Submissions
Science & Spirit
1319 Eighteenth Street, NW
Washington, DC 20036
Science & Spirit will return only those submissions that are accompanied by a self-addressed, stamped envelope.
We also accept queries and submissions via e-mail to: freelance@science-spirit.org
Submissions are reviewed within several weeks, and you will be informed of our decision.
Pay rate varies by experience, knowledge of subject, and length of the article, and is not discussed until interest in an article for publication has been expressed. An editor will then contact you with written or verbal instructions about the assignment, including topic, approach, and scope. We also require a signed copyright agreement before we can accept an article for publication.
We look forward to hearing from you.
–Science & Spirit Editorial
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