Pitching Guidelines

We welcome well-thought-out, distinctive pitches for non-fiction pieces outside of our main submission windows. 

This might be a polemic work of cultural analysis, a first-person narrative rooted in personal experience, a labour of love revisiting your niche obsession with [x], or something else entirely. 

As always, we’re looking for writing that is formally and stylistically unexpected in ways that reflect – or open up – your subject matter. We’re especially interested in topics and perspectives that we haven’t yet represented in Tolka.

In your pitch, we’d like to know what motivates you to write this piece, why now, and what your specific angle is. Give us an idea of the scope, the kinds of questions (and answers) you’re after, and any essential context. 

A few things to consider: 

• Please familiarise yourself with the kind of writing we publish before pitching. Our focus is on non-fiction in all its forms, including those with fictional or poetic elements, but we do not publish straight-up fiction or poetry.

• There will be some pieces that lend themselves better to submission during our open window than as a pitch.

• Please keep pitches between 250-500 words and include a bio of no more than 100 words.

• Our guideline word count for published pieces is 1,000-3,000 words; if you feel you will exceed this, please tell us why.

• We cannot provide individual feedback to each pitch, but we aim to respond within one month. If commissioned, we will work with you on your drafts leading up to publication.

Pitch us at: editorial@tolkajournal.org