Issues in Earth Science

We are temporarily closing to fiction submissions (as of May 2, 2025) until early 2026.  We plan to review and respond to submissions already in our queue.  We will continue to consider nonfiction submissions.

Note that our payment rate is $0.10/word.

IES takes submissions for fiction and non-fiction articles.  We only publish 1-2 stories per year.  Please see our "comments on kinds of stories we publish" for more guidance on what we look for. 

Fiction:  Fiction should be written for the feature, "Eww, there's some geology in my fiction!"  We are interested in MG and YA fiction that incorporates Earth Science concepts as key, rather than incidental, elements.  Stories with adult characters but written for MG or YA will also be considered.  The science element should be more substantive than "cool facts" or jargon that is slipped into a story.  Rather, the Earth Science concept should both be integral to the story and represent a key idea that might be taught in an Earth Science classroom.  Needless to say, the story should be emotionally compelling with characters we care about and conflicts that engage.  The purpose of these stories will be to serve as supplemental reading material for middle or high school students who are studying particular topics in Earth Science.

Stories should be between 1000 and 3000 words, with preference for stories around 2000 words.  Vulgar or profane language and graphic sexual situations should be avoided.  Stories that appear racist, involve rape, or include other inappropriate material (at our discretion) will not be considered.

Payment will be $0.10/word ($100 minimum).  We ask for first e-publication rights, exclusive for one year, indefinite non-exclusive archival rights, plus the non-exclusive option to include the story in a print edition at some point in the future (which, if selected, would pay an additional $0.10/word).

Submissions should be made in standard manuscript format, pasted into the body of the e-mail to Fictionsub followed by the "at" symbol, and then earthscienceissues "dot" net.  The subject line should read "Fictionsub:  <title>". E-mails with attachments or incorrect subject line will be deleted unread.  Please include a cover letter explaining in 2-3 sentences the key Earth Science element that you incorporate into the story.  Also include a short (100 word or less) 3rd-person bio.

Non-fiction: Non-fiction should be written for the feature "Topics for Debate", and address a topic of interest in earth science, science education, or science in fiction.  Care should be taken to make sure that your presentation is carefully reasoned and not unnecessarily inflammatory.  We will publish essays periodically, although not necessarily in every issue.   

Articles should be 500-1000 words in length with a preference for lengths closer to 500 than 1000 words.  Payment for articles selected for publication will be $100.  We ask for e-publication rights, indefinite archival rights, plus option to include your work in a print edition at some point in the future (which, if selected, would pay an additional $100).

Submissions should be made in standard manuscript format, pasted into the body of the e-mail to Topicsub followed by the "at" symbol and then earthscienceissues "dot" net.  The subject line should read "Topicsub:  <title>". E-mails with attachments or incorrect subject line will be deleted unread.   Please include a short 3rd-person bio (100 words or less) in your cover letter. 

RT.  We will try to keep it to 6 months.  If longer, please feel free to query.

Please read submissions guidelines and follow them!