Begin with
something specific.
A useful proposal gives us a subject, a point of view and a reason to spend time with it.
A subject you can see.
We are interested in objects in use, rooms with a particular life and habits that reveal something through close observation. Tell us about a particular subject you have observed closely, rather than proposing to cover modern living as a whole.
Describe the thing or situation in a few sentences. Explain what caught your attention and what you would like a reader to notice by the end.
What to include.
- A working title and a short description of the piece
- The subject and the point of view you would bring to it
- Whether the work is a new proposal or a completed draft
- Any reporting, interviews or photography the piece would require
- A brief note about related work you have written
Write with care for the subject.
Distinguish observation from assumption. When a piece concerns another person, make their participation and the basis for any quotations clear. Do not present a remembered conversation as an exact transcript.
We discuss rights, scope, revisions, fees and publication plans before commissioning work. A proposal alone is not a commission.
Responses are welcome too.
You do not need a full proposal to write to the journal. A focused response to an existing essay can be a useful contribution in its own right. Name the piece and the point you want to discuss.
Prepare an editorial letter