SCIENTIFIC AMERICAN welcomes ideas for articles on recent scientific discoveries, technical innovations and overviews of ongoing research. Our preferred authors have extensive first-hand knowledge of the field that they describe, and have usually made significant contributions to it. We very strongly encourage potential contributors to read recent issues of the magazine for a sense of form, style and level of complexity and specialization typical of our articles.
Before writing or sending us a manuscript, please send us a proposal letter (one to two pages is usually sufficient) that briefly summarizes:
- The subject of the article
- How you would tell the story of this subject
- The practical and theoretical significance of this subject
- How this article would differ from previous coverage of the topic (if any) in Scientific American or other media
- Your credentials for writing about the topic
- Any other information that you think would make the article interesting to our audience.
Some authors send us an outline in addition to their letter but that is generally not required. Include illustrations, other graphics, or copies of original research papers only as necessary to help explain your idea.
Keep in mind these tips:
- Generally speaking, SCIENTIFIC AMERICAN presents ideas that have already been published in the peer-reviewed technical literature. We do not publish new theories or results of original research.
- Our articles are geared to general readers interested in science and technology. We avoid jargon and equations.
- We are looking for authors who can convey ideas with clarity and concision. Lengths of feature articles vary; the average length of a published article is approximately 2,500 words.
- Please allow six to eight weeks for the review process.
Send all proposals and manuscripts
By post to:
Board of Editors
Scientific American
75 Varick Street, 9th Floor
New York, NY 10013-1917
Or electronically to:
Include your last name and the word PROPOSAL in the subject line.
IMPORTANT: We cannot return and are not responsible for materials delivered to our office.
About Unpublished Book Manuscripts
Scientific American / Farrar, Straus, and Giroux accepts unsolicited book proposals for consideration. For more information about the Scientific American imprint at Farrar, Straus and Giroux, please see: www.fsgbooks.com. Interested authors should submit a cover letter and formal book proposal that includes an overview, chapter outline, CV/resume, sample chapter(s), any other information that you think would make the proposed book interesting to our audience.
Please send proposal by post to:
Scientific American / Farrar, Straus and Giroux
18 West 18th Street
New York, NY 10011
Or electronically to:
sabooksubmission@fsgbooks.com. Include your last name and the word PROPOSAL in the subject line.
We will return only those unsolicited proposals accompanied by a self-addressed stamped envelope.
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