Submission Guidelines

Submission Guidelines

Written Submissions

Thank you for requesting our guidelines. The editors at The Oxford American are constantly searching for well-written, substantive new material. We request, however, that before submitting work, writers make themselves familiar with the spirit and aim of the magazine. It is discouraging to the editors to receive manuscripts from writers who clearly do not know much about the magazine.

1. We do not accept faxed or e-mailed submissions.

2. The Oxford American will consider only manuscripts that are from and/or about the South and that are clearly typed and double-spaced.

3. A self-addressed, stamped envelope (SASE) with the correct postage must accompany all manuscripts. A SASE is needed for any kind of response, even if the writer does not want the material returned.

4. The pay scale for accepted material varies.

5. Payment is issued within thirty days of publication.

6. The Oxford American does not agree to pay expenses associated with the completion of a work unless an agreement has been reached between the editor and writer before the expenses are incurred.

7. We require an express acknowledgement if a manuscript is a simultaneous submission.

8. The Oxford American does not publish work that has been published elsewhere, including the Internet.

9. A good photocopy of the manuscript, rather than the original, should be sent. The Oxford American is not responsible for lost manuscripts.

10. Response time varies, but during our most hectic periods may take more than 16 weeks.

11. Poetry submissions should be three to five poems, of any length. Like fiction and nonfiction submissions, these should be from or about the South.

12. We do not publish pornography, society gossip, or poems about cats.

Please send all manuscripts to:
THE OXFORD AMERICAN
201 Donaghey Avenue
Main 107
Conway, AR 72035

Photographic and Art Submissions

Cover Submissions
We are always looking for the perfect cover shot. The image has to be powerful, unpublished, and something that will really capture people's attention. We'll know it when we see it! We publish four issues a year, and they are usually thematic, though we usually can find a spot for any beautiful image. 2010 issues will include a Southern Food Issue, our annual Southern Music Issue, a Green Issue, and our annual Best of the South Issue.

Photo Essay
The OA occasionally presents photo essays. We look for unusual and striking images that take place in any Southern town, city, or county. We try to avoid stereotypical or obvious images of the region. We will consider color or black and white photographs as long as they are artistic. Please familiarize yourself with the magazine to see what kinds of visuals we have chosen in the past. We've published photographs by legendary and emerging talent. The images do not need to be accompanied by text as long as you briefly identify the subject matter.

All Art Submissions
We will happily consider your photography and art for inclusion in all sections of the magazine. We cherish the visual arts and are constantly searching for bold new talent. We would prefer attached jpegs to an e-mail, a Web site URL, or tearsheets mailed to the address below. Please send all slides, photocopies, CDs, or portfolios to the address below. In order to have your material returned, you must include a SASE (self-addressed stamped envelope) with any submission. (Please do not send original work. The Oxford American is not responsible for lost submissions.) We especially love to hear about gallery/museum exhibitions by Southern artists or focusing on the South!

Illustrations
We have opportunities for feature and spot illustrations in every issue. We are always looking for a fresh style that can capture the contents of our issues. We usually have a short deadline (two weeks or so) for illustration assignments.

Illustration Submissions
We would prefer attached jpegs to an email, a Web site URL, or tearsheets mailed to the address below. Please send all photocopies, slides, CDs, or portfolios to the address below. In order to have your material returned, you must include a SASE (self-addressed stamped envelope) with any submission. (Please do not send original work. The Oxford American is not responsible for lost submissions.)

Please contact:
The Art Department
The Oxford American
201 Donaghey Avenue
Main 107
Conway, AR 72035
oamag@oxfordamericanmag.com