Call for Contributors: Forging Journal #6

Forging, a new digital-first journal for critically imagining Native futures, invites you to contribute to its next issue.

We invite contributors who are deeply committed to changing the way we study and interpret Indigenous survivance in the face of settler colonialism, with a focus on engaging, highlighting, and learning from Native voices within the colonial borders of North America. We accept work from non-Native writers and cultural workers with a history of compelling research on the topic they’re proposing.

What to Contribute

We invite contributions explicitly related to the issue theme. Possible contributions to Forging may include researched essays or critical reflections tied to a political topic, feature-length news reportage, photo essays, written interviews, analysis of cultural work or popular media, as well as other literary and creative explorations. Articles and essays can range from 800 to 1,200 words, and must include images.

Please note: At this time, we are not able to accept works of fiction or poetry.

• Reportage: Similar to classical news feature reporting, but it also incorporates elements of first observation and is generally deeper and more nuanced than traditional news coverage of events
• Arguments: Provocative editorials that aim to undercut conventional wisdom on a topic by presenting something completely new to the public discourse or recasting a key historical event in a new light. In short, this section aims to stoke new debate about a longstanding issue or present a new issue altogether.
• Anchored in History: Narrative essays that are anchored in historic events that continue to shape society today. This section takes a misunderstood or undercovered episode in history and recasts it with an eye toward understanding modern conflicts and trends. 
• First Person: Essays of a highly personal nature that tell a story bigger than the writer alone, touching upon universal themes
• Cultural analysis: Thoughtful analysis essays that articulate important ideas and themes, drawing on works of art such as books, films, television series or music

How to Pitch

Our team of editors and curators welcome pitches for contributions to the journal, and will work with writers for content and style and provide feedback for non-written ideas. We accept full drafts of articles and/or 250-word abstracts. 

• Keep it short: Limit your pitch to two paragraphs. Explain how your story is related to the issue theme. Let us know what’s interesting, why we should care, and use this opportunity to give us a sense of your voice and writing style
• Include relevant details: Let us know why you think Forging is a good fit for your story, what form it will take (ie, a reported essay or feature-length news article), and how many words we can expect you to submit for your final draft  
• Introduce yourself: Give us an idea of who you are, your past experience, and why you are the right person to write this story. Include links to a few examples of similar articles you’ve published or attach writing samples
• Let us know about any possible conflicts of interest, including work or personal relationships, and other connections

Please submit your pitch to frances@forgeproject.com with the subject line “Journal Pitch.” We will get back to you within one week’s time, if not sooner. 

Payment Details

$800 – $1,200 for reported articles, reviews, essays, reflections ($1/word)