We are currently open to submissions for:
- nonfiction essay and book review submissions
- summer editorial internship applications
We are not accepting poetry or fiction submissions at this time.
Please read the submission guidelines carefully before submitting!
Please read the following guidelines before submitting!
Thank you for your interest in writing for Boston Review! We welcome unsolicited nonfiction and book review submissions—from previously unpublished as well as established writers—on a wide range of subjects of interest to general readers. We do not accept poetry or fiction submissions through this form.
Please note that we are a general interest U.S. literary and political magazine with a global audience; we are not a local Boston news organization. We publish substantial, nuanced, long-form essays, book reviews, and political, cultural, and philosophical analysis; we do not publish op-eds, and we do not accept unsolicited personal essays. Most essays we publish are at least 3,000 words in length.
We are independent, nonprofit, and have a very small editorial staff. We try to review the high number of submissions we receive quickly—typically within a month of the submission date—but delays can occasionally lead to much longer response times. We appreciate your patience.
1. We accept nonfiction essays and book review submissions (either page-long pitches, or drafts between 2,000 and 6,000 words), subject to these limitations:
- We DO NOT ACCEPT memoirs or personal essays. These submissions will be rejected without being read.
- We DO NOT ACCEPT op-eds or pieces written in an op-ed style. These submissions will be rejected without being read.
2. We usually publish reviews of books, films, or other cultural artifacts only within six months of the publication or release date of the work under review. We very rarely publish a review of a work that has been published or released more than a year prior to the review. It is best to submit reviews as close as possible to the release date.
3. Please INCLUDE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS in all documents you submit, not just in the Submittable form! This makes it much easier to contact you.
4. If you have published work elsewhere, please include links to clips of your other writing.
5. If you are submitting a pitch instead of a draft, please describe your vision for the essay in substantive detail—on the order of one single-spaced typed page, with enough substance to demonstrate your understanding of the subject matter, showcase your ability to write in an accessible and compelling style, and convey the stakes of the issue for a broad, general audience. Pitches shorter than a couple of paragraphs are always rejected out of hand.
6. Submissions tend to perform much better when they show some familiarity with work Boston Review has published. Please consider reading a few of our essays before you submit to get a sense of the style and substance we are looking for.
Boston Review is now accepting applications for the Black Voices in the Public Sphere Fellowship, designed to prepare and support a more diverse generation of journalists, editors, and publishers.
Please read more about the fellowship here.
Who is eligible to apply?
The Black Voices in the Public Sphere recognizes aspiring media professionals who demonstrate an interest in exploring the publishing world and a commitment to enlarging the landscape of ideas in the media.
A Bachelor’s degree or relevant experience is required to apply. Established professionals should not apply.
Previous editorial experience is helpful but not required. Most important is the clarity of a candidate’s vision for a publishing project and career goals.
To apply you will be asked to provide:
- A copy of your resume
- A cover letter that demonstrates your commitment to writing, editing, or publishing, describes your goals for this fellowship and beyond it, and explains how the fellowship will contribute to your career goals.
- A proposal describing your project in detail; be sure to note the kinds of research and interviews necessary to complete it, and why you think the project is important and distinctive.
- A portfolio of work related to your project. This can include published articles, television or radio clips, podcasts (...) We are seeking work that conveys your strength as a public intellectual and reflects your talent in a particular medium.
- The contact information of three references.
Frequently Asked Questions
- May I apply if I am currently a student or intern?
No, this opportunity is a full-time fellowship offered exclusively to college or masters degree graduates.
- May I apply if I have a full-time job?
No. The Black Voices in the Public Sphere fellowship is a paid, full-time fellowship.
- How many years of experience is too many?
We are accepting applications from recent graduates (undergraduate- or graduate-level) with a maximum of 2 years of relevant experience. In lieu of having a BA, candidates can offer evidence of equivalent experience.
- What are some potential capstone projects I can propose?
We seek out highly original ideas that align with Boston Review’s commitment to publishing challenging cultural commentary, political discussion, and social analysis. This fellowship is a platform for your ideas and priorities—either through your own series of written columns or in the editorial curation of essays, design of print or online forums, moderation of live debates, or facilitation of interviews.
- Is it okay to propose more than one capstone project?
We encourage you to stick to one, to avoid spreading yourself too thin.