If you’ve ever dreamed of seeing your name alongside the best in science fiction and fantasy, Clarkesworld Magazine could be your launchpad.
This multi-award-winning publication has been a cornerstone of speculative fiction since 2006, earning a reputation for discovering bold new voices and showcasing some of the genre’s finest talent.
They publish short stories, non-fiction articles, and artwork — and they pay professional rates, making them one of the most respected paying markets in the field.
In this guide, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know to give your own sci-fi or fantasy story its best shot at being featured in their pages.
Let’s get started.
What is Clarkesworld Magazine?
Clarkesworld is a Hugo, World Fantasy, and British Fantasy Award-winning magazine devoted to science fiction and fantasy.
Every month, they publish an issue filled with multiple original short stories, insightful non-fiction pieces, and in-depth interviews with authors, artists, and other figures in the field.
Their reach extends beyond the digital page. All original fiction is produced in audio format for their free podcast, compiled in an annual anthology, and collected in trade paperbacks from Wyrm Publishing.
Since its launch in 2006, under the direction of Hugo Award-winning editor Neil Clarke, the magazine has become known for publishing both rising voices and established giants.
Their contributor list includes award-winning authors such as
- N.K. Jemisin
- Ken Liu
- Neil Gaiman
- and Aliette de Bodard
making Clarkesworld a space where newcomers and legends share the same pages.
What kind of content do they accept?
Clarkesworld accepts work in three main categories.
Each has specific guidelines.
Fiction
• Science fiction and fantasy stories between 1,000 and 22,000 words
• No horror, though dark SF/F is fine
• Submissions welcome worldwide
• Translations encouraged, even if first published in another language
Non-fiction
• Articles that appeal to SF/F readers
• Possible topics: publishing business, writing craft, reading experiences, or relevant science
• Word limit: 2,500 words
Art
• Cover art that tells its own story
• Preferred mediums: color digital or traditional 2D paintings and illustrations
• Used across all formats of the magazine
What are their writing guidelines?
Here’s what to keep in mind:
Fiction
• Must be well-written and effective in both text and audio formats
• Should be formatted for easy on-screen reading
• Avoid long paragraphs and typographical gimmicks
• No AI-generated or AI-assisted work
• No simultaneous submissions
• Certain clichés — like zombie plots or pun-based humor — are discouraged
Non-fiction
• Must be original, objective, and engaging for a general audience
• Avoid overdone topics, disguised interviews, rants, or listicles
• Articles must be fact-checked and accurate
Art
• Must be original and unpublished for other covers
• Adaptable to multiple formats
• Landscape designs preferred for print wrap-around covers, though portrait formats are considered
Who can write for them?
Anyone can submit, no matter where you live or what stage you are in their career.
Clarkesworld publishes both emerging and established voices. They actively encourage diverse perspectives from around the world.
They also welcome English translations of works that were first published in other languages.
How much do they pay?
- Fiction — 14¢ per word. For example, at the maximum length of 22,000 words, that works out to about $2,640.
- Non-fiction — 10¢ per word. At the 2,500-word limit, that’s about $250.
- Art — $500 for cover artwork, plus two print copies of the issue. Your bio and portfolio link will be featured alongside your art.
Payment is made via PayPal or check, with wire transfers available for international contributors.
What rights they purchase: For fiction, Clarkesworld buys first world electronic rights (text and audio), first print rights, and non-exclusive anthology rights for their annual Clarkesworld anthology.
All rights are restricted to English unless specifically stated otherwise.
This means they get the right to be the first to publish your work in these formats, but after that, many rights revert to you, allowing you to reprint or resell the piece elsewhere.
Note:
You do not get paid just for submitting.
You get paid if your piece is accepted and published.
Why should I write for them?
Clarkesworld isn’t just another speculative fiction market — it’s one of the genre’s most influential stages.
Getting published here means your story sits alongside some of the sharpest minds in science fiction and fantasy, with many pieces later translated into multiple languages, adapted into audio, and collected in print anthologies.
A Clarkesworld byline is a stamp of excellence recognized by Hugo, Nebula, and World Fantasy Award voters.
Their stories regularly appear in Year’s Best anthologies, giving your work an extended lifespan and a far wider audience.
The editors actively champion bold, boundary-pushing storytelling and fresh perspectives from across the globe.
If they accept your work, it will be edited, designed, and promoted with the same care given to award-winners.
Publishing here also means joining a creative legacy that has helped shape modern speculative fiction.
Many contributors have gone on to release acclaimed novels, win major awards, and build long-term careers in the field.
And for readers who follow Clarkesworld closely, your work won’t just be a story they enjoyed — it can be the start of an ongoing connection.
Loyal fans often seek out an author’s other works, follow their career, and champion them in the wider literary world.
How do I get started?
Before you send anything, take time to read several issues of Clarkesworld.
This will help you understand their tone, pacing, and the kinds of stories, articles, or artwork they feature — and will improve your chances of acceptance.
When you’re ready to submit:
- Fiction: Submit via their online submissions system in standard manuscript format (.RTF or .DOCX). No email submissions.
- Non-fiction: Send a query to
nonfiction@clarkesworldmagazine.comwith the subject line NONFICTION QUERY: [title or concept]. - Art: Email the URL of your portfolio to
art@clarkesworldmagazine.com. No attachments.
Before you submit:
Paid writing opportunities like these are limited — and they exist because editors are still willing to accept unsolicited submissions from writers around the world. To help keep these opportunities open, don’t submit AI-generated content or low-effort work clearly intended as spam. It wastes the editors’ time and takes away chances from real writers who care about the craft. Respect the opportunity. Respect the process. And respect the people reading your work.
Ready to submit your story?
Head over to their website to get started.
Final thoughts
Clarkesworld Magazine isn’t just another submission opportunity — it’s a gateway to one of the most visible and respected stages in speculative fiction.
Many stories published here go on to win or be nominated for major awards, or are reprinted in “Year’s Best” anthologies, giving them a second and sometimes third life in print.
If you have a bold, imaginative story, a fresh article idea, or captivating artwork, this is a rare chance to put it before an international audience that actively seeks cutting-edge work.
Payment is competitive, rights are clearly defined, and your work will be presented alongside some of the most talented voices in the genre.
Read the guidelines carefully, study past issues to understand the tone, refine your work to the highest standard you can, and submit with confidence.
Your next big break — and perhaps your introduction to a much larger readership — could start here.
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SEE THE FULL LIST ➤
