How to Pitch Non-Fiction to SFWA, BSFA Focus Magazine, and Other Speculative Fiction Venues

A couple of people have asked me to write up some advice on this, so I thought ‘Why not!’….

When we think about writing for the speculative fiction community, we often think of short stories, novels, and poetry — the imaginative worlds that readers escape into. But non-fiction is just as vital to the field, offering critical insight, commentary, and connection. And yes, you can get published writing it!

If you’re wondering how to break into speculative fiction venues with non-fiction articles, here’s a practical guide based on what I’ve learned.

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Understand the Markets

Start by knowing the vibe of each venue:

• SFWA Blog (Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers Association)
  Accepts articles aimed at writers: craft, business advice, trends in publishing, and community issues. Think how-to, essays, industry advice, personal experience pieces.
• BSFA Focus Magazine (British Science Fiction Association)
  Focus is all about the art and craft of writing in speculative fiction. It loves smart, thoughtful articles on writing techniques, market trends, interviews with authors, and opinion pieces.
• Other Markets
  Look at places like Clarkesworld, or Strange Horizons (which both have a non-fiction section), Uncanny Magazine (essays about fandom and writing), and Reactormag.com (previously Tor.com) (essays and think-pieces).

Tip: Read at least 3–5 articles from the venue before you pitch. It helps you match their style and tone.

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What to Pitch

Speculative fiction non-fiction often falls into categories like:

• Writing advice (specifically geared to SFF writers)
• Industry insights (e.g., changes in publishing, trends in genre)
• Personal essays (e.g., what SFF means to you, your writing journey)
• Interviews or profiles (of authors, editors, artists)
• Critical essays (e.g., a trend you’ve noticed in recent speculative fiction)

Good Pitch Topics:

The definition of ‘good’ is whatever the editor wants but if its something that seems current and, even better, you have a special expertise that would be your ideal piece so:

• “How Climate Fiction is Reshaping the Future of Sci-Fi” would be great if you are a climate scientist, or have published climate fiction
• “What Every Writer Should Know About WorldCon and Genre Awards” if you just went and were nominated, or were part of the voting or in some way have some special insight
• “Building an SFF Career Outside the U.S.” If you are a non-US based writer and that is what you have done

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How to Pitch

Follow these steps:

1. Find Their Guidelines.
   Most sites (like SFWA’s Blog) have clear submission guidelines. Read them carefully.
2. Write a Short, Professional Email.
   • Subject Line: Article Pitch: [Title Idea] for [Venue Name]
   • Body:
     • Brief greeting
     • A couple of sentences about you (keep it simple, unless you have relevant credits)
     • A quick pitch: “I’d like to propose an article titled ‘[Title],’ about [what it’s about, in 2-3 sentences].”
     • If they don’t specify offer to send a full draft or discuss further. However, many will accept a pitch of one to two hundred or so (SFWA) and some ask for examples of prior work (reactormag.com). Check the guidelines!
3. Be Specific and Tailored.
   Mention why the piece is right for them. Example: “Given Focus Magazine’s interest in writing craft, I thought this article on developing compelling alien cultures might be a good fit.”
4. Be Ready to Write Quickly.
   Some venues expect quick turnarounds once they accept a pitch.

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Final Tips

• Stay Relevant. Especially for blogs like SFWA’s, current industry issues perform best.
• Keep it Short and Punchy. Most non-fiction pieces run 800–1,200 words unless stated otherwise.
• Build Relationships. Even if your pitch gets rejected, polite follow-up or future pitches help build a professional name.

Writing non-fiction for speculative fiction venues can help you connect with the community, boost your visibility, and even open doors to bigger projects.

So if you’ve got something to say, say it! Your voice matters here too.

Have you written non-fic for the genre market? What tips do you have to share? Comments as always welcome below!

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