General Guidelines

The editors of Deep Wild Journal: Writing from the Backcountry seek work that conjures the experiences, observations, and insights of backcountry journeys. By “backcountry,” we mean away from paved roads on journeys undertaken by foot, skis, snowshoes, kayak, canoe, horse, or any other non-motorized means of conveyance.

We are open to a wide spectrum of carefully-crafted work, from the personal to the political. By “personal,” we mean work that not only relates the experience of backcountry journeys, but also in some way reflects upon the journeys. By “political,” we mean work that, while grounded in a backcountry perspective, addresses and confronts the social, economic, and environmental issues of our times.

The window for general submissions for our 2025 issue is now closed. We continue to seek writing on any genre for our 2025 Student Contest, as well as artwork for our cover and our B&W portfolio. The deadline to submit in either category is March 1. For full guidelines, visit the submission portals below.

Please be aware of the specific mission of Deep Wild Journal if you plan to submit: to publish the best work we can find in celebration of, and in defense of, places where there are no roads. We encourage you to familiarize yourself with the work published in our first six issues. Visit deepwildjournal.com to subscribe, or to read selections published on our blog. To take advantage of our discounts for students and faculty, visit deepwildjournal.com/students and teachers/

Previously published work is welcome, so long as the rights are yours. Please identify as such in your cover letter. If your work is selected, we ask for the right to publish it in our print journal and also possibly on-line. You retain all rights to your work.

Simultaneous submissions are fine, but please let us know at once, via Submittable, if your work is accepted elsewhere and is no longer available