Writer's Guidelines
OUR MISSION
A literary and current affairs magazine with the openness and pioneering spirit of the Pacific Northwest, Empirical aspires for truth by boldly introducing thought-provoking points of view and new paradigms. A forum for discourse on contemporary issues, the magazine is “radically empirical” in considering the broad range of human experience.
SUBMISSIONS
Please send all queries or submissions to the appropriate editor with cover letter, 80- word bio, and a picture of yourself at sufficiently high resolution (at least 300 dpi at 1x1) to appear in our printed Contributors' page. (Photos copied and pasted from the internet do not usually have adequate resolution.) Please do be familiar with the magazine before submitting work.
NONFICTION
Send nonfiction articles or queries with the scope of the project and estimated word count to editors@empiricalmag.com. Include "ATTN: Nonfiction Editor" in the title of the email. Microsoft Word attachments are strongly preferred. We also prefer submissions with single-spacing, full-justification, and without headers or footers.
Features: We welcome previously unpublished non-fiction essays on politics, economics, and current events. We prefer features around 2500-3500 words in length. But we are flexible on word counts. Please do not submit projects longer than 4000 words.
Others:Empirical regularly publishes articles on relationships, sports, book reviews, science, arts, philosophy, travel, culture, sports, and spirituality. These articles are preferably 1000- 2000 words long. But, again, we are flexible on word counts.
FICTION AND POETRY
This publication accepts previously unpublished creative writing. Submit fiction and poetry to Submit one to five short stories for consideration, no longer than 3500 words. Send one to five poems, no longer than one page each, and up to five pieces of flash fiction, no longer than 750 words each. An excerpt of an unpublished novel, no longer than 3500 words, is welcome if it will work as a self- contained story. Please send Microsoft Word attachments. We prefer fiction submissions with single-spacing, full-justification, and without headers or footers.
We are looking to build relationships with creative artists and photographers. We cannot predict ahead of time what art and photography we will need to go with particular stories in the magazine. It is best if the Empirical Graphic Designer can choose from a wide range of material to find just the right piece to go with a particular article. What works best for us is if you have a website (such as your own or flickr) where many pieces can be considered when something is needed. Then we will contact you to arrange permissions. If you would like us to feature photographs of your paintings or sculptures, please submit high resolution photographs to olav@empiricalmag.com.
RIGHTS AND PAYMENT
We purchase First North American Serial Rights: $7/page (500 words) of prose (to max of $21); $5/poem. In addition, all contributors will receive two copies of the magazine.
ADDITIONAL SUBMISSION INFORMATION
In keeping with our sustainability goals, we prefer all work and queries to be submitted electronically via email. However, you may mail copies of original works to 142 West 2nd Street, Suite B, Chico, CA 95928. No original works via mail, please. Please contact us with any questions at editors@empiricalmag.com.