Submission Guidelines
Expedition Society Journal publishes bold, irreverent nonfiction about history’s most dangerous men, wild expeditions, and forgotten frontiers. We accept reported features, narrative essays, research-based profiles, and primary-source breakdowns that fit one of our core categories. We do not publish fiction or thinly veiled blog posts. If your story belongs on a weathered leather map or a bloodstained field report—send it.
See our categories below—your piece should clearly fit one of these:
Read more about these categories here.
Men of Action
Lost Expeditions & Wild Theories
Rebellion, War & Gunpowder
Animals in the Theatre of Man
Science on the Edge
Letters, Speeches & Last Words
The Call to Adventure
Smugglers, Runners & Shadow Routes
Unlikely Professions
The Aftermath
Obscure Corners of History
Dispatches from the Edge
If you’re not sure, pitch us first.
What’s the word count?
Short pieces: 800–1,200 words
Features: 1,500–3,000 words
Long reads: Over 3,000 words (rare, but we’ll take them if they hit hard)
We care more about punch than word count. Say what you need to say, then stop.
What’s the tone?
Rugged, clear, and purposeful. Hemingway over HuffPost. We’re not academics—we’re expedition chroniclers. Your prose should feel like a journal entry from the edge of the map—vivid, grounded, and not afraid to get its hands dirty.
We like:
First-person voice (when appropriate)
Sharp observations, not filler
Details that smell like gunpowder or volcanic ash
We don’t like:
Generic “content”
AI-written filler
Buzzwords or self-promotion disguised as narrative
Do I need to include sources?
Yes—especially for historical or nonfiction reporting. If it’s a profile, primary source, or a lesser-known tale, cite your sources at the bottom or link inline. We fact-check when needed, and we expect integrity.
Do you pay?
At the moment, we operate more like a field journal than a glossy magazine. Some contributors write to grow their audience, test material for books, or build reputation in a niche they care about. We can’t guarantee payment now—but we’re building toward it.
That said, if you bring a killer pitch or have a track record, talk to us—we’re open to contributor rewards, product sponsorships, and future commissioning deals.
How do I pitch?
Send an email to Jamie@expeditionsocietycoffee.com with:
A short bio
2–3 sentences about your piece
Any relevant clips or writing samples (optional but appreciated)
Estimated word count and turnaround time
If your piece is finished, even better—just attach it.
Who owns the rights?
Writers retain full copyright. We ask for first publication rights and the ability to archive your piece on our Journal and newsletter. If you’d like to republish it later elsewhere, just give us a heads up.
Can I include photos, maps, or illustrations?
Yes—especially if they’re public domain, vintage, or you’ve created them yourself. High-res images with proper credit are always welcome. If you don’t have visuals, we can supply some.
One last thing...
This is a journal for adventurous minds. If your story leaves us questioning what we thought we knew—or itching to buy a ticket somewhere unsafe—we’ll probably want it.