Call for Submissions

Conducive is interested in storytelling promoting positive social change.

We publish essays, creative nonfiction, photography and investigative journalism looking at communities in action and exploring solutions to small and big social problems. Conducive magazine also features articles covering innovative ideas and research accessible to a diverse audience of people interested in social change.

We are looking for writing that is both earnest and light-hearted. The type of style that will catch our attention the quickest will be jargon-free and engaging.

Our writers are from many academic disciplines, as well as those on the front lines of social activism and community development. They offer practical and theoretical options for social change on a local and global scale. We offer not just a magazine, but also a network of people with common goals.

We accept five kinds of submissions: selected previously published articles (from independent sources); full original articles; query letters (regarding original ideas); books, films, CDs, and environmental and sweatshop-free products (for possible review); and photography.

Departments

Features: (1,200-6,000 words) Conducive publishes investigative, political, and social justice reporting. We are looking for ground-breaking, engaging storytelling, and solidly reported stories relying on interviews and public documents.

Think Tank

Innovative Thinking: An essay on a current policy or research issue explaining what the issue can mean to the general public. This feature goes beyond digests of academic arguements, but clearly describes how the research might influence social change. These pieces include web links to supporting research published elsewhere. (800 to 2,500 words)

Critical Thinking: Conducive understands good intention is not enough. We must reframe and tinker with our assumptions and practices of doing good. For example, how can fair trade be fairer? Which small business loans are the most effective? (800-2,500 words)

Community Ingenuity: What new ways do communities organize? We are especially interested in how they use new media. Please include a web link of the organization or community. (700- 2,500 words)

Science and Social Change: We do not look for traditional science, health, and tech articles, but ways they solve social problems. (800-3,000 words)

Beneficial People

We feature profiles of public thinkers, policy researchers, practitioners, academics, or community workers doing worthy, but possibly unpublicized work. Can also run in question-and-answer form. (800 to 2,500 words)

Triumphs: We want to know how communities address bureaucratic, financial and other blocks on their path. (800-2,000 words)

Finding Inspiration (Again): Our writers interview other activists and researchers about what is energizing, stressful, or helpful in their life and work. They look at tactics and strategies, and why they succeed or stumble. We realize hope can waver. We want to know how they got it back. We also accept autobiographical submissions. (800 to 2,000 words)

Brief Moments/Big Benefits: Want to publicize volunteer projects that don’t take much time? Do it here. (800 to 1,200 words)

What Was Your Moment?: What successful event did your organization create? Please explain your project. Videos or photos welcome. (20-800 words)

Fiction, Film, Poetry

Reviews: Conducive publishes reviews of books, film, music, theater, exhibits, and essays. Although literary and artistic analysis and critique is important, because of the nature of our publication, we are more interested in the social, political, or activist nature of art and culture.

Sustenance

Eat, Drink, and Politics: Farming, distribution, and restaurant and hotel labor unions comprise the world of food and drink. We care about what’s on your plate. (800-2,500 words)

Chow and Cocktail: Visiting or new in town and want to know where people gather to for community events? Review restaurants, coffee shops, and bars where people meet and plan.

Space Style Dialogues

How do people make space more conducive through design, transportation, art, or architecture? We also publish reviews of exhibits and design. Reviews must include web links. (800-2,500 words)

We understand our readers care about their impact on the planet and their communities. Conducive reviews socially responsible, environmental, and sweatshop-free products. Please include web links of product photos. We also report about the companies making these products, style trends, and socially responsible trend setting.

Submissions

Please include a query letter with all submissions and let us know if your article, or parts of your article has appeared in another publication, blog, or web site.

Queries: Queries should be approximately 250 words briefly summarizing the issue, your conclusions, your expertise on the matter, how your article fits into Conducive’s mission, and in which department you want your contribution considered. We recommend you send two or three of your most relevant clips. If the clips are online, please provide the complete URLs. Instead of sending the query as an attachment, please put it into the body of the email.

Photojournalism/Visual Ethnography: We welcome ideas for photo essays. Photos should have socially relevant themes. We want more than just photos of socially disenfranchised communities, but are more interested in communities in action. We also seek photos of historical significance.

Full Articles: Should be sent in the body of the email or as a PDF or Word file.

Conducive depends on submissions from its readers to maintain the quality and diversity within its pages. The people in the Conducive Collective largely support the magazine so we cannot pay contributors at this time.

Our editors review and respond to every submission and query letter. We try to respond as quickly as possible, usually within two weeks. Indicate into what department you wish your submission considered. Email products, photography and written submissions to editors@conducivemag.com

Our Daily News Site

Conducive is looking for writers. Conducive Chronicle covers the following topics: Politics, pop culture, media, ethical style, feminism, environment, art, economics, literature, film and television, and science fiction.  Writers should have an engaging, conversational style, and be informed about community change. We will promote every writer, and their readers and fans will be able to easily find their favorite writers’ articles. Check us out at cchronicle.com. Interested applicants, please send a resume, three examples of your work, or a link to your current blog to editors@conducive.com.

Copyright ©2009-10 Conducive. All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission from CONDUCIVEMAG.COM

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Conducive is a magazine devoted to critical thinking about ways to deal with social problems and looking for viable solutions to dilemmas we face on both a local and worldwide scope. We also features articles covering innovative ideas and research accessible to a diverse audience of progressives interested in social change.

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