How to Contribute to Freedom’s Plow
You have a story to tell. We know you do. In fact, you have journals full of ideas that, if shared with others, could absolutely change someone’s thinking—and perhaps someone’s life. We are offering you a chance to express yourself constructively and creatively.
“First in the heart is the dream / Then the mind starts seeking a way.”
– Langston Hughes, “Freedom’s Plow” (1943)
Freedom’s Plow is a space for meditations and elaborations at the intersection of history, justice, and race. We welcome pitches from everyone and anyone, whether you are a seasoned author / artist or whether you are just starting out.
Editorially, we seek to push our society toward racial healing and justice through narrative change. We seek out essays, prose, poetry, and art that is critical, curious, and transformative.
What to Pitch Us
Essays: reflections, commentary, or analysis (500 to 2,000 words)*
Book reviews (1,200 to 1,500 words)*
Interviews (print or audio)
Creative pieces: poetry, short fiction (500 to 2,000 words), photography, film, multimedia pieces, visual artwork
* If possible, please cite sources using either hyperlinks embedded in your piece or Chicago style (you can find a publicly accessible guide here).
How to Pitch Us
To pitch your piece, email jmjp@gmu.edu with “Freedom’s Plow Pitch: [type of submission]” in the subject line. In a few sentences, tell us what type of piece you would like to contribute, how it fits into our “Freedom’s Plow” initiative, and when you expect to be able to submit your piece. If your piece is already complete, please attach a copy to your email.
Publishing Timeline
Issues of Freedom’s Plow are published on a monthly basis. Contributions for the coming month’s issue will be accepted until the 15th of every month. Any submissions received after the 15th will be considered for subsequent issues.
A Note on Compensation
As a newly established initiative, we are currently hard at work to secure the funding needed to compensate our team members for their labor and contributions to our mission.
At the current time, we are unable to provide monetary compensation for pieces that are contributed to Freedom’s Plow. We are, however, committed to an editorial process that will be respectful of the labor of all individuals who seek to contribute to this initiative.