Blog 12 Publication Venue

The Sun Magazine (http://www.thesunmagazine.org) 

Essays accepted

The Sun, an independent magazine,  is very flexible in terms of submission accepting different varieties of work such as essays, interviews, fiction, and poetry to name a few.  The personal essay is superior to others, but essays on politics, culture, and philosophical themes are accepted as well.  However, please note, despite flexibility academic, opinion based, and journal writing is prohibited.  

Publications’ audience and purpose

The words PERSONAL. POLITICAL. PROVOCATIVE. AD-FREE are etched on the Sun’s website.  The Sun appeals to the socially conscious, the humanitarian, and the philanthropist.  However, in each issue, “....a section devoted entirely to writing by readers, who address topics as varied as Telling the Truth, Neighbors, Hiding Places, Second Chances, and Gambling.”  So, be mindful, if you write about your neighbors, they might discover your true feelings.  

After perusing the website including back issues, I read Tick Tick Boom by RYAN BERG (http://www.thesunmagazine.org/issues/435/tick_tick_boom), which was taken from the essay, memoir, and nonfiction section of The Sun.  This essay (along with many other essays) was phenomenal!  In true creative non-fiction style, the essay covers an array of issues such as poverty, identity, homosexuality, family dysfunction, hopelessness, despair, etc.  Adhering to the rules of creative nonfiction, these topics/focuses were interwoven in the story line subtly.  

Another piece titled Bruised by Joe Wilkins (http://www.thesunmagazine.org/issues/433/bruised) along with Berg’s piece encourages self reflection and the acknowledgement that pain (physical, mental, or emotional) is simply a required component of the human experience.  

Majority of the essays were written in the segmented form.  There is a picture strategically placed with each essay, which conveys one of the various focuses of the essay.  I really enjoyed the concept of a picture accompanied with each essay.  

Majority of the longer pieces were roughly about five pages.  The pieces were engaging, literary elements were utilized, and these pieces formulate mental pictures for the reader.  Overall, the pieces reflect the magazines’ mission, “....explore the challenges we face and the moments when we rise to meet those challenges.”  Each piece forces the reader to face and address the everyday occurrences of the human experience. 

Perks

A free one year subscription 

If you’re looking to earn some extra bucks..... GOOD because the Sun Magazine does pay.  

-$300-$2,000 for essays and interviews 

-$300-$1500 for fiction

-$100-$500 for poetry  

*These prices are contingent upon length

*Publication pays half for reprints

Length

-No word minimum but any piece longer than 7,000 words is discouraged. 

Manuscript requirements 

-Typed, double-spaced (poems can be single-spaced)

-Must include a self addressed stamped envelope

If you submit any work via email or fax, YOU WILL NOT RECEIVE A RESPONSE!!!

Reading Dates

Magazines are distributed on a monthly basis.  

Other important information

-The Sun aims to respond within three to six months, but depending upon the amount of works submitted, the response time might be longer.  As the famous quote goes “delayed doesn’t mean denied”.  

-The Sun will purchase rights to your work(s), but all rights will be given back to you, the author, once your work is published. 

PLEASE do not submit multiple copies.