Writers Guidelines

The American Scholar is a quarterly magazine of essays, fiction, poetry, and articles covering public affairs, literature, science, history, and culture. Published since 1932 for the general reader by the Phi Beta Kappa Society, the Scholar considers nonfiction and fiction by known and unknown writers, but poetry submissions are not encouraged. The magazine accepts fewer than two percent of all unsolicited manuscripts. Submissions will be carefully reviewed, but responses may take several months. We pay up to $500 for accepted pieces and up to $250 for pieces taken only for our website, theamericanscholar.org.

We ask that nonfiction submissions be no longer than 6,000 words and that fiction submissions be no longer than 5,000 words. We also now ask that submissions be made through Submishmash, our online submissions manager system. Paper or emailed submissions will no longer be considered. Please click on the links below to submit online. Submitting through Submishmash will allow you to upload your piece, and log in to check on its status at any time. Please send only ONE submission at a time.

 

Nonfiction submissions are read year-round. Fiction submissions will not be read during the summer months—from June 1 through August 31. Please do not upload fiction manuscripts during this period.

Cover letters should provide contact information and state the genre and title of the submission, as well as provide any other information you would like the editors to know about your work.

The best way to know what kinds of pieces we are likely to accept is to read the magazine. The magazine's home page is can be found by clicking the home link.