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Footnote A Literary Journal of History 11

A project of Alternating Current Press (see other related projects).

About

Footnote is our annual literary publication dedicated to historical and contemporary views on history. It contains poetry, images, fiction, and nonfiction by various authors, both contemporary and historical, about any topic of history. We are excited by pieces that give an author’s intimate or emotional take on historical places, people, events, or ideas. We are looking for pieces that have heart, curiosity, purpose, and bravery. We want to be moved, and we want to learn. From our accepted submissions for each year, we take each piece and find its place in the whole, creating a conceptual feel from cover to cover that digs deeper than just chronological order. We couple those submissions with public domain pieces that comment on the same topics, so readers get to see modern perspectives on what is old, juxtaposed with old perspectives on what was then considered modern. Alongside that, we feature photographs, maps, illustrations, interactive QR codes, footnotes, endnotes, bibliographies, and supplemental material, so you can learn more about each topic. There is no set theme per issue. We collect and compile a conceptual arc based on the pieces we accept and the topics they cover. This means that each issue is completely fresh, has a different feel and atmosphere from start to finish, and could cover any topic of history in the known world. We’re not just here to entertain; we’re here to educate. It is our hope that you will learn and get curious and go do some research … but rest assured that if you’re just here for the good writing, our highly selective submission and editing process will give you that, too.

Fees Notice: This project charges fees (or requires purchases) for all submissions.
Important: Winners and finalists of the Charter Oak Award are published in Footnote and also electronically in The Coil.
Submission Caps: They may close to submissions early if they reach their quota. Check before submitting.

Country of Publication

United States

Publication Medium & Frequency

Print Publication Print PublicationPublished 1 x per year.

Fiction Open Fee-based

Dates:
Open to fiction submissions through 29 February 2024* (approx. 337 days from now). 0
Audience:
Open to a broad Audience.
Genres:
General General
Styles:
Open to all/most Styles, including: Literary, Mainstream.
Topics:
History (General, See guidelines), Other (See guidelines).
Types/Lengths:
TypeLength Details
Flash Fiction Flash FictionUp to 1,000 words; Up to 5 pieces.
Short Story Short Story1,000 - 7,500 words; Up to 5 pieces.
Novelette Novelette7,500 - 10,000 words; Up to 5 pieces.
Payscale:
We list broad pay categories rather than payment specifics. Check with the publisher for details.
Token payment (under 1 US cent per word) to Semi-pro payment (1-4.9 US cents per word) Pay ranges from Token payment (under 1 US cent per word) to Semi-pro payment (1-4.9 US cents per word).
Submissions:
ElectronicPostalReprintsSimultaneousMedia
OK No OK OKText format submissions
Always check guidelines for details and restrictions. If you aren't familiar with these terms, see our glossary.
* We do not know the time and/or timezone, so we cannot be more precise. Submit early to avoid disappointment.

Nonfiction Open Fee-based

Dates:
Open to nonfiction submissions through 29 February 2024* (approx. 337 days from now). 0
Audience:
Open to a broad Audience.
Styles:
Open to all/most Styles, including: Literary, Mainstream.
Topics:
History (General, See guidelines), Other (See guidelines).
Types/Lengths:
TypeLength Details
Article ArticleUp to 10,000 words; Up to 5 pieces.
Narrative Nonfiction Narrative NonfictionUp to 10,000 words; Up to 5 pieces.
Payscale:
We list broad pay categories rather than payment specifics. Check with the publisher for details.
Token payment (under 1 US cent per word) to Semi-pro payment (1-4.9 US cents per word) Pay ranges from Token payment (under 1 US cent per word) to Semi-pro payment (1-4.9 US cents per word).
Submissions:
ElectronicPostalReprintsSimultaneousMedia
OK No OK OKText format submissions
Always check guidelines for details and restrictions. If you aren't familiar with these terms, see our glossary.
* We do not know the time and/or timezone, so we cannot be more precise. Submit early to avoid disappointment.

Poetry Open Fee-based

Dates:
Open to poetry submissions through 29 February 2024* (approx. 337 days from now). 0
Audience:
Open to a broad Audience.
Genres:
General General
Poetry Forms:
Open to all/most Forms.
Styles:
Open to all/most Styles, including: Literary, Mainstream.
Topics:
History (General, See guidelines), Other (See guidelines).
Types/Lengths:
TypeLength Details
Poem PoemNo line limits known; Up to 5 pieces.
Payscale:
We list broad pay categories rather than payment specifics. Check with the publisher for details.
Unknown payment Unknown payment.
Submissions:
ElectronicPostalReprintsSimultaneousMedia
OK No OK OKText format submissions
Always check guidelines for details and restrictions. If you aren't familiar with these terms, see our glossary.
* We do not know the time and/or timezone, so we cannot be more precise. Submit early to avoid disappointment.

Footnote Submission Statistics

More Information is Available to Subscribers: Only the basic information for this listing is currently visible. If you want to learn more about this listing, including submission statistics (average response time, rejection percentage, acceptance percentage, etc.), you need to subscribe. See a sample of what you're missing.

Dates

Last Updated: 09 Mar 2023
Last Checked: 08 Mar 2023 We check each active listing's guidelines page for changes once a month (if compliant).
Last Audited: 10 Feb 2023 We audit each active listing twice a year.
Date Added: 01 Apr 2021

Before Submitting

We cannot guarantee that the information on this page is correct. It is not unusual for publications to evolve or close without notice. We do our best to keep up, but it isn't always possible. Duotrope listings do not imply endorsement or recommendation of the project being listed. Before submitting, you should use your own judgment to determine whether the project meets your standards.

  • Always read the full guidelines provided by the publisher.
  • Try to read at least one previous publication to get a better idea of what the editor would like to see.
  • Unless the publisher's guidelines state otherwise, always use industry standard manuscript formatting.
  • Be professional, patient, and persistent.