The Philosophers' Magazine

Author Guidelines

Dear Potential Contributor,

Thank you for your interest in writing an article for TPM.

Please do bear in mind that TPM rarely publishes unsolicited essays. In 2011, out of perhaps 100 essays, reviews, features and columns, just a handful were unsolicited – almost entirely features and news items. The work we publish is usually written by experts who share our aim of producing readable, accessible, interesting yet rigorous philosophy. Editorial decisions are almost always guided by the planned mix of topics, what we’ve recently covered, as well as judgements about what our readers might find engaging. If we can’t use your piece, it’s not necessarily a judgment of quality – it’s just that nearly all unsolicited submissions won’t fit in with the planned mix of content.

If you do want to get in touch about a submission, please do not send a manuscript. Instead, send an outline of what you wish to write. Bear in mind also that TPM is a magazine, not the place for original, substantive work, which should be directed towards peer-reviewed journals.

Look at an issue of TPM to get an idea of what we do. Among other things, you’ll see that we publish:

200-500 word news items, straight reporting, usually written by people with backgrounds in journalism.

1800-2500 word essays which reflect what is going on in the world of philosophy. Recently we published Simon Blackburn on odd trends in philosophy, Mary Midgley on selfishness, Paul Snowdon on personal identity, Raymond Tallis on neurodeterminism, Dale Jacquette on philosophical questions raised by drugs, James Ladyman on inaccessible philosophy, Rachel Cooper on medical disorders, and Gregory Currie on truth in fiction.

2500 word essays on themed forums – recently on experimental philosophy, the good life, a celebration of David Hume’s birthday, and the philosophical implications of luck.

1200-1800 word features about aspects of philosophy and philosophers, rather than pieces of philosophy – anything that might interest someone interested in philosophy. Recent features have included antiquarian books, philosophy football, the Templeton Foundation, women in philosophy, threats to philosophy departments, and so on. These can be biographical, historical, factual, investigative, reportage, etc.

1500 word “Letters from…” which describe how philosophy is done outside the Anglophone world, usually written by people working in departments of philosophy overseas.

800 word reviews – usually book reviews, but also film, plays, music, architecture, and so on – which like articles, are usually solicited to fit the mix of topics in the magazine. Please don’t suggest that we review a book that you have written!

Please do not hesitate to contact us if, having read these notes, you are still interested in making a contribution, and thank you for your interest in TPM.

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