About Overland

Overland literary magazine has been showcasing brilliant and progressive fiction, poetry, nonfiction and art since 1954. The magazine has published some of Australia’s most iconic voices, and continues to give space to underrepresented voices and brand-new literary talent every single day.

In 2024, Overland is a quarterly print journal (publishing essays, stories and poetry) and an online magazine, publishing nonfiction articles each week day. Overland also publishes special online editions of fiction and poetry experimenting with form, hosts events and debates, and runs a writing residency and a series of literary competitions. 

Overland has a proud history of publishing dissenting articles and gives a voice to the experiences that are excluded from mainstream media and publishing outlets. The magazine has been part of an ongoing attempt to document lesser-known stories and histories, dissect media hysteria and dishonesty, debunk the populist hype of politicians, give a voice to those whose stories are otherwise marginalised, misrepresented or ignored, and point public debate in alternative directions.

2024 contributor rates 

For the online magazine

Articles and art/comics: $150.

For the print magazine

Fiction: $500; essays: $500; poetry: $150.

Guide to referencing and style

You can access our referencing guide and style guide online. 

Please note

Overland is a not-for-profit magazine with a proud history of publishing ideas and voices often excluded from mainstream media and publishing outlets – and the magazine would not exist without its subscribers. For that reason, the editors prioritise submissions by subscribers.

You can help support Overland by taking out an annual subscription, which starts at $50. 


 

Invoicing Overland

Overland pays contributors upon publication. If one of your pieces has recently appeared in our print or online magazines, this is the place to submit your invoice. Invoices should include your name, address, ABN and bank account details. Sample invoices can be downloaded here. 

*If you do not have an ABN, you will also need to submit a Statement by Supplier form.

If you would like to use all or part of your contributor fee for a donation, subscription or extra issues of Overland, please fill out the relevant form, which can be downloaded here and email it to us, or submit it through Submittable..

**Overseas contributors are not required to submit an ABN (Australian Business Number). However, please ensure to include all the relevant international banking details on your invoice.


 

2024 contributor rates 

For the online magazine

Articles: $160.


 

For the print magazine

Fiction: $525; essays: $525; poetry: $160.

 

We process invoices each week. If it's been a couple of weeks and you haven't heard anything, you can follow up the status of your invoice by sending a query to overland@overland.org.au


 

On another financial note, Overland would not exist without its subscribers. You can help support Overland by taking out an annual subscription, which start at $50. If you're feeling even more generous, remember that Overland is a not-for-profit magazine with a proud history of publishing ideas and voices often excluded from mainstream media and publishing outlets.


If you have a current subscription to Overland, use this form to pitch an article for publication.
 

Pitching to Overland

Please explain your proposed article in 100 words or so. What will your piece be about and why are you the person to write it? How will your article be different from other writing on the subject? When will you be able to send the finished piece? Make sure that your deadline is realistic – if we accept your pitch, we are committing to publishing the article only so long as we receive publishable copy by the specified time and date.
 

If you can provide links to examples of your writing (whether in other publications or on your own site), please do so. 

In 2024, contributors to the online magazine are paid $150 per article plus superannuation for ABN holders and GST when applicable. 


About subscribing to Overland

Overland is a not-for-profit magazine with a proud history of publishing ideas and voices often excluded from mainstream media and publishing outlets – but it would not exist without its subscribers. You can help support Overland by taking out an annual subscription, which start at $50

If you do not have a current subscription to Overland, use this form to pitch ideas for articles. 

Overland relies on its subscribers for survival. While all work will be read, we cannot guarantee response times to submissions by non-subscribers. You can support Overland by becoming a subscriber.

Pitching to Overland
Please explain your proposed article in 100 words or so. What will your piece be about and why are you the person to write it? How will your article be different from other writing on the subject? When will you be able to send the finished piece? Make sure that your deadline is realistic – if we accept your pitch, we are committing to publishing the article only so long as we receive publishable copy by the specified time and date.  If you can provide links to examples of your writing (whether in other publications or on your own site), please do so.

In 2024, contributors to the online magazine are paid $150 per article, plus superannuation for ABN holders and GST where applicable.

About subscribing to Overland
Overland is a not-for-profit magazine with a proud history of publishing ideas and voices often excluded from mainstream media and publishing outlets – but it would not exist without its subscribers. You can help support Overland by taking out an annual subscription on our website, which start at $50, or in the form below.

Regarding the payment options below: only fill this section out if you wish to subscribe to the magazine.

If you have a current subscription to Overland, use this form for submissions of articles for the online magazine.

Please note: Overland’s current response period is up to 6 months due to the large volume of submissions received. We appreciate your patience as we carefully consider all pieces through multiple readings and endeavour to respond as quickly as possible.

About Overland’s online magazine

Overland publishes a daily nonfiction magazine of literary, political and cultural analysis and polemic. While the magazine is eclectic, the online format generally favours short, punchy and topical articles. The rate for online articles is $120. Our online editors are Giovanni Tiso, Evelyn Araluen and Jonathan Dunk.

About subscribing to Overland

Overland is a not-for-profit magazine with a proud history of publishing ideas and voices often excluded from mainstream media and publishing outlets – but it would not exist without its subscribers. You can help support Overland by taking out an annual subscription, which start at $50, on our website.
 

If you do not have a current subscription to Overland, use this form for submissions of articles for the online magazine.

Please note: Overland’s current response period is up to 6 months due to the large volume of submissions received. We appreciate your patience as we carefully consider all pieces through multiple readings and endeavour to respond as quickly as possible.

Overland relies on its subscribers for survival. While all work will be read, we cannot guarantee response times to submissions by non-subscribers. You can support Overland by becoming a subscriber.

About Overland’s online magazine

Overland publishes a daily nonfiction magazine of literary, political and cultural analysis and polemic. While the magazine is eclectic, the online format generally favours short, punchy and topical articles. The rate for online articles is $120. Our online editors are Giovanni Tiso, Evelyn Araluen and Jonathan Dunk.

About subscribing to Overland

Overland is a not-for-profit magazine with a proud history of publishing ideas and voices often excluded from mainstream media and publishing outlets – but it would not exist without its subscribers. You can help support Overland by taking out an annual subscription on our website, which start at $50, or in the form below.

Regarding the payment options below: only fill this section out if you wish to subscribe to the magazine.

If you have a current subscription to Overland, use this form for essay submissions for the print magazine.

Please note: Overland’s current response period is up to 6 months due to the large volume of submissions received. We appreciate your patience as we carefully consider all pieces through multiple readings and endeavour to respond as quickly as possible.

About the essays in Overland’s print magazine

The print edition of Overland publishes essays, polemics and other hard-hitting articles with a strong cultural or political analysis. As a quarterly, it cannot carry news articles or other content that will date quickly. Because space in the print edition is necessarily limited, material submitted in this category must justify its inclusion on the basis of originality, style, theoretical profundity or similar basis –it must, in short, stand the test of time. Academic articles may be refereed but Overland is a generalist publication and discourages specialist or narrowly scholastic submissions. Overland does not impose formal word limits but potential contributors should be aware that space limitations make longer pieces harder to accept.

The standard payment for nonfiction print essays is $500. Our print magazine editors are Evelyn Araluen and Jonathan Dunk.  

*We particularly encourage submissions from women writers, activists and academics. 

 

About subscribing to Overland

Overland is a not-for-profit magazine with a proud history of publishing ideas and voices often excluded from mainstream media and publishing outlets – but it would not exist without its subscribers. You can help support Overland by taking out an annual subscription, which start at $50, on our website.
 

If you do not have a current subscription to Overland, use this form for submissions.

Please note: Overland’s current response period is up to 6 months due to the large volume of submissions received. We appreciate your patience as we carefully consider all pieces through multiple readings and endeavour to respond as quickly as possible.

Overland relies on its subscribers for survival. While all work will be read, we cannot guarantee response times to submissions by non-subscribers. You can support Overland by becoming a subscriber.
 

About the essays in Overland’s print magazine

The print edition of Overland publishes essays, polemics and other hard-hitting articles with a strong cultural or political analysis. As a quarterly, it cannot carry news articles or other content that will date quickly. Because space in the print edition is necessarily limited, material submitted in this category must justify its inclusion on the basis of originality, style, theoretical profundity or similar basis – it must, in short, stand the test of time. Academic articles may be refereed but Overland is a generalist publication and discourages specialist or narrowly scholastic submissions. Overland does not impose formal word limits but potential contributors should be aware that space limitations make longer pieces harder to accept.

The standard payment for nonfiction print essays is $500. Our print magazine editors are Evelyn Araluen and Jonathan Dunk.  

*We particularly encourage submissions from women writers, activists and academics.  

About subscribing to Overland

Overland is a not-for-profit magazine with a proud history of publishing ideas and voices often excluded from mainstream media and publishing outlets – but it would not exist without its subscribers. You can help support Overland by taking out an annual subscription on our website, which start at $50, or in the form below. 

Regarding the payment options below: only fill this section out if you wish to subscribe to the magazine.

If you have a current subscription to Overland, use this form for poetry submissions to the print quarterly. 

 Please note: Overland’s current response period is up to 6 months due to the large volume of submissions received. We appreciate your patience as we carefully consider all pieces through multiple readings and endeavour to respond as quickly as possible.

About the poetry in Overland’s print magazine

Overland publishes emerging, politically engaged poets, printing their work alongside more established national and international progressive contemporaries. The payment for poems published in the print journal is $150 per poem. Our poetry editor is Toby Fitch.

Due to the number of submissions Overland receives, we ask that poets submit no more than 3 poems per quarter. We also ask that multiple poems be submitted in a single Word document or PDF. 

*We particularly encourage submissions from women writers of colour.  

About subscribing to Overland

Overland is a not-for-profit magazine with a proud history of publishing ideas and voices often excluded from mainstream media and publishing outlets – but it would not exist without its subscribers. You can help support Overland by taking out an annual subscription, which start at $50, on our website

If you do not have a current subscription to Overland, use this form for submissions.

Please note: Overland’s current response period is up to 6 months due to the large volume of submissions received. We appreciate your patience as we carefully consider all pieces through multiple readings and endeavour to respond as quickly as possible.

Overland relies on its subscribers for survival. While all work will be read, we cannot guarantee response times to submissions by non-subscribers. You can support Overland by becoming a subscriber.

About the poetry in Overland’s print magazine

Overland publishes emerging, politically engaged poets, printing their work alongside more established national and international progressive contemporaries. The payment for poems published in the print journal is $150 per poem. Our poetry editor is Toby Fitch.

Due to the number of submissions Overland receives, we ask that poets submit no more than 3 poems per quarter. We also ask that multiple poems be submitted in a single Word document or PDF. *We particularly encourage submissions from women writers of colour.  

About subscribing to Overland

Overland is a not-for-profit magazine with a proud history of publishing ideas and voices often excluded from mainstream media and publishing outlets – but it would not exist without its subscribers. You can help support Overland by taking out an annual subscription on our website, which start at $50, or in the form below.

Regarding the payment options below: only fill this section out if you wish to subscribe to the magazine.

$12.00

If you are a current Overland subscriber, use this form to enter the Judith Wright Poetry Prize.

The prize

Established in 2007 and supported by the Malcolm Robertson Foundation, the Overland Judith Wright Poetry Prize for New and Emerging Poets seeks outstanding poetry by writers who have published no more than one collection of poems under their own name. It remains one of the richest prizes for emerging poets, and is open to poets from Australia and New Zealand. The major prize is $6000, with a second prize of $2000 and a third prize of $1000. All three winners will be published in Overland.

**Please ensure you are satisfied with your poem before submitting. Stories that are withdrawn and subsequently resubmitted will incur a second fee.**

Details

Entries closes 11.59 pm, Friday 22 November 2024.  Please read the entry guidelines below before submitting.

Entry conditions

  1. The award is open to poets who have had no more than one solo collection of their work commercially published: that is, by a publishing house with commercial distribution.
  2. The prize is open to Australian and New Zealand writers only.
  3. Poems must be unpublished (including online) and not under consideration by other publishers, including Overland.
  4. Poems that have won or are under consideration in other competitions are not eligible.
  5. The winning poems will be published in Overland.
  6. All submitted poems may also be considered for publication in Overland.
  7. Entries must be submitted electronically via the Overland submittable system.
  8. The name of the poet must not appear on the manuscript (including the header or footer) since all poems will be considered anonymously.
  9. Poems must be no more than 80 lines.
  10. Multiple entries are permitted, though a separate fee applies to each poem.
  11. An entry fee of $12 for Overland subscribers and $20 for non-subscribers will be charged. 
  12. Please ensure you are satisfied with your poem before submitting. Poems that are withdrawn and subsequently resubmitted will incur a second fee.
  13. The judges’ decision is final. No correspondence will be entered into.
  14. Overland staff and board members, and their families, are prohibited from entering. All previous, current and ongoing contributors are eligible to enter.
  15. Winners will be announced in February 2025. Subscribe to the Overland newsletter to receive announcements as to the results.
$20.00

Did you know that Overland subscribers enter the competition at a special rate? To enter the competition at the special subscriber rate of $12 and take out a subscription to Overland at a discounted rate of $50 (includes four print issues and the daily online magazine, invitations to subscriber events, and other opportunities and giveaways), visit the Overland shop.


 

The prize

Supported by the Malcolm Robertson Foundation, and named after the late Neilma Gantner, this prize seeks excellent short fiction of up to 3000 words themed around the notion of ‘travel’; imaginative, creative and literary interpretations are strongly encouraged. This competition is open to all writers, nationally and internationally, at any stage of their writing career.

The winning story will receive a $5000 first prize and publication in Overland. Two runners-up will each receive $750

Please ensure you are satisfied with your story before submitting. Stories that are withdrawn and subsequently resubmitted will incur a second fee.


 

Details

The competition closes 11.59 pm, Friday 22 November 2024. Please read the entry guidelines below before submitting.
 

Entry conditions

  1. This is a prize for original pieces of short fiction written in English, up to 3000 words in length.
  2. Stories must be unpublished (including online) and not under consideration by other publishers, including Overland.
  3. Stories that have won or are under consideration in other competitions are not eligible.
  4. The prize is open to all writers from Australia and New Zealand (located in Australia or elsewhere).
  5. Submissions will be processed electronically. Stories should be formatted at 1.5 line spacing and a minimum of 12 point font size (unless formally experimental).
  6. The competition will be judged anonymously. The author’s name must not appear on the manuscript or else the story will be disqualified.
  7. Each entry must be accompanied by a fee of $20, or $12 for Overland subscribers. It is possible to become a subscriber and simultaneously enter the competition at a special price of $62.
  8. Multiple entries are acceptable, although each must be entered into the submission system separately and accompanied by the relevant fee.
  9. The winning entries will be published in Overland. Other entries may be considered for publication.
  10. The judges’ decision is final. No correspondence will be entered into.
  11. Late entries will not be accepted.
  12. Overland staff and board members, and their families, are prohibited from entering. All previous, current and ongoing contributors are eligible to enter.
  13. Winners will be announced in February 2025. Subscribe to the Overland newsletter to receive announcements as to the results.
     

About subscribing to Overland

Overland is a not-for-profit magazine with a proud history of publishing ideas and voices often excluded from mainstream media and publishing outlets – but it would not exist without its subscribers. 

Moreover, Overland subscribers can enter our competitions at a special subscriber rate. If you’d like to take out a year’s subscription and enter the competition for just $62, visit the Overland shop.

$12.00

If you are a current Overland subscriber, use this form to enter the Neilma Sidney Short Story Prize.

The prize

Supported by the Malcolm Robertson Foundation, and named after the late Neilma Gantner, this prize seeks excellent short fiction of up to 3000 words themed around the notion of ‘travel’; imaginative, creative and literary interpretations are strongly encouraged. This competition is open to all writers, nationally and internationally, at any stage of their writing career. The winning story will receive a $5000 first prize and publication in Overland. Two runners-up will each receive $750.  

Please ensure you are satisfied with your story before submitting. Stories that are withdrawn and subsequently resubmitted will incur a second fee.

Details

Entries closes 11.59 pm, Friday 22 November 2024.  Please read the entry guidelines below before submitting.

Entry conditions

  1. This is a prize for original pieces of short fiction written in English, up to 3000 words in length.
  2. Stories must be unpublished (including online) and not under consideration by other publishers, including Overland.
  3. Stories that have won or are under consideration in other competitions are not eligible.
  4. The prize is open to all writers from Australia or New Zealand (located in Australia or elsewhere).
  5. Submissions will be processed electronically. Stories should be formatted at 1.5 line spacing and a minimum of 12 point font size (unless formally experimental).
  6. The competition will be judged anonymously. The author’s name must not appear on the manuscript or else the story will be disqualified.
  7. Each entry must be accompanied by a fee of $12 for Overland subscribers.
  8. Multiple entries are acceptable, although each must be entered into the submission system separately and accompanied by the relevant fee.
  9. The winning entries will be published in Overland. Other entries may be considered for publication.
  10. The judges’ decision is final. No correspondence will be entered into.
  11. Overland staff and board members, and their families, are prohibited from entering. All previous, current and ongoing contributors are eligible to enter.
  12. Winners will be announced in February 2025. Subscribe to the Overland newsletter to receive announcements as to the results.
$20.00

If you do not have a current subscription to Overland, use this form to enter the Judith Wright Poetry Prize.

Overland is a not-for-profit magazine with a proud history of publishing ideas and voices often excluded from mainstream media and publishing outlets – but it would not exist without its subscribers. Moreover, Overland subscribers can enter our competitions at a special subscriber rate. If you’d like to take out a year’s subscription and enter the competition for just $62, visit the Overland shop

Established in 2007 and supported by the Malcolm Robertson Foundation, the Overland Judith Wright Poetry Prize for New and Emerging Poets seeks outstanding poetry by writers who have published no more than one collection of poems under their own name. It remains one of the richest prizes for emerging poets, and is open to poets from Australia and New Zealand.  The major prize is $6000, with a second prize of $2000 and a third prize of $1000. All three winners will be published in Overland.

Entries closes 11.59 pm, Friday 22 November 2024

**Please ensure you are satisfied with your story before submitting. Stories that are withdrawn and subsequently resubmitted will incur a second fee.**

Guidelines

  1. The award is open to poets who have had no more than one solo collection of their work commercially published: that is, by a publishing house with commercial distribution.
  2. The prize is open to Australian and New Zealand writers only.
  3. Poems must be unpublished (including online) and not under consideration by other publishers, including Overland.
  4. Poems that have won or are under consideration in other competitions are not eligible.
  5. The winning poems will be published in Overland.
  6. All submitted poems may also be considered for publication in Overland.
  7. Entries must be submitted electronically via the Overland submittable system.
  8. The name of the poet must not appear on the manuscript (including the header or footer) since all poems will be considered anonymously.
  9. Poems must be no more than 80 lines.
  10. Multiple entries are permitted, though a separate fee applies to each poem.
  11. An entry fee of $20 for non-subscribers will be charged. It is possible to become a subscriber and simultaneously enter the competition at a special price of $62.
  12. Please ensure you are satisfied with your poem before submitting. Poems that are withdrawn and subsequently resubmitted will incur a second fee.
  13. The judges’ decision is final. No correspondence will be entered into.
  14. Overland staff and board members, and their families, are prohibited from entering. All previous, current and ongoing contributors are eligible to enter.
  15. Winners will be announced in February 2025. Subscribe to the Overland newsletter to receive announcements as to the results.

If you have just taken out a subscription to Overland, use this form to enter the Judith Wright Poetry Prize.

Established in 2007 and supported by the Malcolm Robertson Foundation, the Overland Judith Wright Poetry Prize for New and Emerging Poets seeks outstanding poetry by writers who have published no more than one collection of poems under their own name. It remains one of the richest prizes for emerging poets, and is open to poets from Australia and New Zealand.

The major prize is $6000, with a second prize of $2000 and a third prize of $1000. All three winners will be published in Overland.

Entries closes 11.59 pm, Friday 22 November 2024.  Please read the entry guidelines below before submitting.

**Please ensure you are satisfied with your story before submitting. Stories that are withdrawn and subsequently resubmitted will incur a second fee.** 

Guidelines

  1. The award is open to poets who have had no more than one solo collection of their work commercially published: that is, by a publishing house with commercial distribution.
  2. The prize is open to Australian and New Zealand writers only.
  3. Poems must be unpublished (including online) and not under consideration by other publishers, including Overland.
  4. Poems that have won or are under consideration in other competitions are not eligible.
  5. The winning poems will be published in Overland.
  6. All submitted poems may also be considered for publication in Overland.
  7. Entries must be submitted electronically via the Overland submittable system.
  8. The name of the poet must not appear on the manuscript (including the header or footer) since all poems will be considered anonymously.
  9. Poems must be no more than 80 lines.
  10. Multiple entries are permitted, though a separate fee applies to each poem.
  11. An entry fee of $12 for Overland subscribers and $20 for non-subscribers will be charged. It is possible to become a subscriber and simultaneously enter the competition at a special price of $62.
  12. Please ensure you are satisfied with your poem before submitting. Poems that are withdrawn and subsequently resubmitted will incur a second fee.
  13. The judges’ decision is final. No correspondence will be entered into.
  14. Overland staff and board members, and their families, are prohibited from entering. All previous, current and ongoing contributors are eligible to enter.
  15. Winners will be announced in February 2025. Subscribe to the Overland newsletter to receive announcements as to the results.
Overland