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Belt Magazine

A project of Belt Publishing (see other related projects).

About

Belt Magazine is a digital publication by and for the Rust Belt and greater Midwest. Founded in 2013 as an antidote to shallow, distorted representations of the region, we challenge simplistic national narratives by paying local journalists, writers, photographers, and poets to cover their communities with depth, context, and the kind of rich insight that can only come from a deep relationship with a place.

The contemporary Rust Belt is a complex, vibrant, and vital place, full of interesting people, thriving culture, and some of the greatest cities in the world. These communities have a lot in common—from histories shaped by U.S. expansion, the Great Migration, and nineteenth- and twentieth-century industry; to Great Lakes geography; to long traditions of social movements, cultural creativity, and resilience. But each place has developed in distinctive and important ways.

Our allegiance is to the people and communities we serve. We publish work that is fair, accurate, and reflects the creativity and diversity of the region, in pursuit of more just, equitable, and life-giving communities. And we are committed to doing this work in solidarity with marginalized people—Black and Indigenous people, immigrants, queer and trans people, people of color, and all exploited people in rural, urban, and suburban communities.

This work goes beyond the stories we publish. Our team works to foster a larger conversation about the past, present, and future of the Rust Belt and greater Midwest, engaging regional communities through events, partnerships, and other projects. Above all, our work is characterized by a thoughtful, context-driven approach, journalistic rigor, a keen ear for language, and a deep love for this place and its people.

Country of Publication & Year Established

United States
Established in 2013

Publication Medium & Frequency

Electronic Publication Electronic Publication
Unknown publication frequency

AI Policy

Unknown AI policy
22 members set this magazine as a Favorite.

Collapse section Nonfiction Temp Closed

We publish first-person essays on life in the Rust Belt and northern Midwest that resonate with a regional audience. We’re looking for work that expresses what reporting can’t, that narrates an experience, event, or aspect of life in a personal way. Our favorite essays balance lively prose with nuance and emotion—think sentiment, not sentimentality. We’re open to some reporting here; the line between features and essays isn’t hard and fast.

Audience:

Open to a broad Audience, including: People in a specific region.

Lengths:

Article: 1,200 - 3,000 words.
Essay: No specific word count limits known.

Styles:

Open to all/most Styles, including: Literary, Mainstream, Personal.

Topics:

Open to all/most Topics including...
Nature/Environment: Environmental issues.
Place/Regions: Specific region.
Sexuality/Gender: LGBTQ issues, Women/Female issues.
Society/Culture: General, Current events, Ethnicity/Race, Social issues, See guidelines.

Payment:

No monetary payment to Unknown payment Pays occasionally, unknown rates. Details: "All freelance writers who do not have a full-time academic appointment are compensated."

Submissions:

Method: Email.
Reprints: Unknown.
Simultaneous submissions: Unknown.
Media: Text.

Collapse section Poetry Temp Closed

We’re interested in poems with a strong sense of place, or poems that touch on an experience or feeling that will resonate beyond the author.

Audience:

Open to a broad Audience, including: People in a specific region.

Genres:

General

Lengths:

Poem: No line limits known; Up to 5 pieces.

Poetry Forms:

Open to all/most Forms.

Styles:

Open to all/most Styles, including: Literary, Mainstream.

Topics:

Open to all/most Topics including...
Nature/Environment: Environmental issues.
Place/Regions: Specific region.
Sexuality/Gender: LGBTQ issues, Women/Female issues.
Society/Culture: General, Current events, Ethnicity/Race, Social issues, See guidelines.

Payment:

No monetary payment to Unknown payment Pays occasionally, unknown rates. Details: "All freelance writers who do not have a full-time academic appointment are compensated."

Submissions:

Method: Email.
Reprints: Unknown.
Simultaneous submissions: Unknown.
Media: Text.

Collapse section Visual Art Temp Closed

Audience:

Open to a broad Audience, including: People in a specific region.

Lengths:

Photo Essay: No image limits known.

Art Media:

Photography.

Art Styles:

Open to all/most Art Styles.

Topics:

Open to all/most Topics including...
Nature/Environment: Environmental issues.
Place/Regions: Specific region.
Sexuality/Gender: LGBTQ issues, Women/Female issues.
Society/Culture: General, Current events, Ethnicity/Race, Social issues, See guidelines.

Payment:

No monetary payment to Unknown payment Pays occasionally, unknown rates. Details: "All freelance writers who do not have a full-time academic appointment are compensated."

Submissions:

Method: Email.
Reprints: Unknown.
Simultaneous submissions: Unknown.
Media: Image.

Always check guidelines for details and restrictions. If you aren't familiar with these terms, see our glossary.

Recent cover image or website screenshot for Belt Magazine

Go to publication's website

Report:
Submission/Response
Correction/Update
New Cover Art

Social:
Bluesky @beltmagazine.bsky.social
Instagram @beltmag
Bluesky @beltpublishing.bsky.social
Instagram @beltpub

Support this Publisher:
Buy Book(s)

For the Editor(s):
Request Interview
Duosuma Submission Manager
Link to Duotrope

Belt Magazine Submission Statistics

The statistics in this section are compiled from submission reports sent to us through our submission tracker. They are not provided by the publication's editors/staff or by Duotrope's admins. Information in this section is updated a few times per day. Learn more about the statistics.

Filter:
Accuracy
We have received 1 report within the past 12 months. The more responses reported, the more accurate the information.

Other Information

Date compiled: 16 Sep 2026 21:28 UTC (less than a minute ago).

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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.

Dates

Last Updated: 08 Aug 2026

We check their guidelines for changes every four weeks, and we audit the listing twice a year.

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