Publication: The Dial
Topics: International reporting, politics, culture, literary criticism, fiction, poetry, translation, photo essays and ideas
Rate (USD): Up to $1,000 for reporting and criticism
Deadline: Ongoing
Editor: Editorial team
Submit Via: Email the editors
Write for The Dial
The Dial is an award-winning online magazine covering culture, politics and ideas, with a particular focus on locally sourced stories from outside the United States. The publication welcomes pitches from writers, journalists, critics, photographers, translators and literary contributors around the world.
Most features run between 2,000 and 3,000 words. The Dial is especially interested in original stories that offer fresh perspectives on places, political realities and cultural conversations that are often overlooked by international media.
The magazine pays competitive freelance rates and welcomes original reporting, criticism, photo essays, fiction, poetry and translated literature.
Topics and Types of Work Accepted
1. Reported features and criticism
The Dial seeks original reporting and criticism that reveal something new, specific and significant. Areas of interest include justice, memory, international law, critiques of the international order, political and literary culture, and reports from events beyond conventional party coverage.
The magazine also publishes shorter dispatches, including literary scene reports, unusual cultural observations and creative formats such as diaries told through objects.
2. Photo essays
Photographers can pitch original visual stories that provide meaningful insight into communities, cultural movements, political realities and experiences outside the United States.
3. Fiction and poetry
The Dial accepts fiction and poetry in translation, primarily by contemporary authors. Contributors should send a short pitch and a sample of the proposed work.
4. Literary translation
Translators can suggest journalism originally published in other languages that would interest an English-speaking audience. Send the editors a brief explanation of the proposed piece and why it deserves translation.
How Much Does The Dial Pay?
The Dial publishes the following general freelance rates:
- Reporting and criticism: $800–$1,000 for 2,000–2,500 words.
- Literary excerpts: $250.
- Unpublished literary work: Around $400.
The highest stated rate is $1,000 for a reporting or criticism feature. Rates may vary by assignment and should be confirmed with the editors.
How to Pitch The Dial
For reporting and criticism, email a pitch of approximately 250 words explaining the proposed story, its central argument, why it matters and what makes it original.
A strong pitch should present a specific angle rather than a broad topic. Show that you have conducted preliminary research or reporting, and explain how the finished piece will contribute something new to the conversation.
Include a link to your portfolio and relevant published work, if available. For shorter dispatches, keep the pitch concise.
For fiction and poetry in translation, include a short proposal and a sample. Translators should suggest a specific piece of journalism originally published in another language.
Important editorial requirements: The Dial edits and fact-checks its work. It does not accept plagiarized, inaccurate, unreasonably defamatory or AI-generated reporting, writing or images. Its guidelines explicitly prohibit using AI for brainstorming, polishing text or research. Contributors should develop their pitches and submissions independently.
The magazine also states that it is not seeking travelogues, op-eds, straightforward book or film reviews, reconsiderations of deceased writers, or stories from writers parachuting into places with which they are unfamiliar.
Where to Submit
Send pitches, submission materials and questions to editors@thedial.world.
Read the full pitching guidelines and visit The Dial’s official website before submitting.