How to Submit Beyond Your Field

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The literary landscape often feels neatly categorized, a labyrinth of genres and disciplines each with its own gatekeepers and established pathways. For many writers, this means a comfortable adherence to their niche, submitting poetry to literary journals, essays to academic publications, or fiction to genre-specific magazines. Yet, a vibrant world of opportunities exists beyond these conventional boundaries. Imagine a poet getting published in a medical journal, a science fiction writer penning a successful op-ed for a financial newspaper, or a literary novelist contributing to a legal industry blog. This isn’t about straying from your craft; it’s about expanding its reach, challenging your own perceptions of where your words belong, and ultimately, opening doors to new audiences, new intellectual challenges, and new avenues for recognition and remuneration.

Submitting beyond your field is not a haphazard endeavor. It demands a deliberate, strategic approach rooted in deep research, careful adaptation, and a genuine understanding of the target publication’s needs and audience. This guide will dismantle the perceived barriers, providing a comprehensive, actionable framework for writers ready to transcend their usual submission habits and unlock a wealth of previously unexplored publishing possibilities. We will move past the theoretical and dive into the practical, offering concrete steps and illustrative examples to empower you to pitch and publish where you never thought possible.

Deconstructing Your Writing for New Audiences

The first step in submitting beyond your field is to re-examine the very essence of your existing work. It’s not about finding a new angle for a story you’ve already written; it’s about identifying the core transferable elements that can be repackaged, recontextualized, or even completely rewritten to resonate with a different readership. This involves a crucial shift in perspective from “what I want to say” to “what they need to hear.”

1. Identify Core Competencies and Unique Perspectives:
You’ve honed certain skills and developed unique insights through your primary writing endeavors. A poet, for example, possesses an acute sensitivity to language, rhythm, and imagery – skills incredibly valuable in crafting compelling, concise communications. A science fiction writer often excels at world-building, logical consistency, and imagining future implications – attributes crucial for thought leadership pieces on emerging technologies.

  • Actionable Step: List your three strongest writing skills (e.g., complex idea simplification, narrative storytelling, persuasive argumentation, evocative description, meticulous research). Then, list three unique perspectives you bring to a topic based on your current field (e.g., emotional depth from poetry, structural innovation from screenwriting, speculative thinking from sci-fi).

  • Concrete Example: A fantasy writer, accustomed to intricate magic systems and character arcs, might identify their skills in “complex system design” and “narrative flow.” Their unique perspective might be “the human element within highly structured environments.” This could be leveraged to write for a business management journal about team dynamics or process optimization, using analogies from fantasy world-building.

2. Extract Universal Themes and Applicabilities:
Beneath the specific genre or subject matter of your current work lie universal themes. Love, loss, ambition, technology’s impact, societal change, ethical dilemmas – these resonate across diverse fields. The key is to strip away the genre-specific trappings and expose the underlying human or conceptual truth.

  • Actionable Step: Take your current writing project or a recently completed piece. For each major theme or conflict, ask: “How does this theme manifest in a completely different domain?” or “What universal human experience does this explore that could be applied elsewhere?”

  • Concrete Example: A literary short story often explores themes of personal transformation or societal pressure. While the setting might be a small town, the underlying theme of adaptation to change is universal. This theme could be reworked for a psychology journal discussing resilience, a business publication on market disruption, or even a healthcare journal on patient acceptance of new treatments. The narrative becomes an illustrative case study, not a fictional piece.

3. Analyze Existing Knowledge for Unexpected Connections:
Your current field of writing has likely exposed you to a wealth of knowledge, even if implicitly. A historical fiction writer has a deep understanding of specific eras, socio-political structures, and human motivations within those contexts. This knowledge isn’t confined to historical fiction; it’s a foundation for understanding current events, political science, or even economic trends through a historical lens.

  • Actionable Step: Brainstorm three non-writing fields that your current writing implicitly touches upon or informs. For each, list specific pieces of information or understanding you possess that would be valuable to an audience in that field.

  • Concrete Example: A writer specializing in true crime might possess an intimate knowledge of forensic science, legal procedures, and criminal psychology. This expertise, while used for narrative in their primary field, could be repurposed for articles in legal industry magazines, police training newsletters, or even science publications focusing on forensic advancements. They are not writing a crime story, but an informative, analytical piece for a professional audience.

Strategic Target Identification: Beyond the Obvious

Once you understand how your writing can be deconstructed, the next critical step is identifying where it can find a new home. This goes far beyond a casual Google search. It requires meticulous research into publications, their audiences, and their editorial needs.

1. Map Your Skills/Themes to Industries/Disciplines:
Don’t just think “magazines.” Think industries: finance, healthcare, technology, education, manufacturing, law, arts administration, environmental science, non-profits. Within each industry, think disciplines: management, marketing, research, policy, ethics, human resources, technical innovation.

  • Actionable Step: Create a matrix. On one axis, list your deconstructed skills/themes (from the previous section). On the other, list a diverse array of industries/disciplines. Brainstorm connections at each intersection.

  • Concrete Example: If “simplification of complex information” and “human impact of technology” are your skills, industries could include: healthcare (explaining new treatments to patients or layman), tech (explaining AI to executives), education (curriculum development for non-specialists), government (policy briefs). You might then target specific industry publications within these fields.

2. Deep Dive into Publication Research:
This is the most time-consuming but most crucial step. It’s not enough to know a publication exists; you must understand its DNA.

  • Audience Demographics & Psychographics: Who are they writing for? Professionals? Enthusiasts? Academics? Policymakers? What are their concerns, their level of technical understanding, their aspirations? A financial journal for investors will have a different tone and content focus than one for venture capitalists.
  • Content Pillars & Recurring Themes: What topics do they consistently cover? Are there specific sections or recurring features? What are the current hot-button issues in that field?
  • Editorial Tone & Style: Is it formal, informal, academic, conversational, technical, argumentative, purely explanatory? Look at sentence structure, vocabulary, and overall voice.
  • Submission Guidelines & Editor Names: Go beyond the obvious. Are they open to unsolicited submissions? Do they accept pitches? Who is the specific editor for the section you’re targeting? LinkedIn can be a goldmine for identifying editors and understanding their professional interests.
  • Recent Issues Analysis: Read at least 3-5 recent issues (online or print). Pay attention to article length, how sources are cited, the level of detail, and the types of arguments presented.

  • Actionable Step: Select 3-5 potential target publications from your matrix. For each, create a dossier including the above details. Pay particular attention to the “About Us” section, the “Mission Statement,” and the “Submissions” page directly on their website.

  • Concrete Example: A humorous essay writer, keen on exploring “the absurdity of modern life,” might initially dismiss medical journals. However, deep research into medical journals reveals some sections dedicated to “Healthcare Humanities,” patient experience narratives, or even opinion pieces on the culture of medicine. They identify The BMJ (formerly the British Medical Journal) and specifically look at essays submitted to their “Personal View” section, noting the blend of personal narrative with medical context, and the slightly less formal tone than their research articles. They also identify the specific editor for this section.

3. Network Strategically (Digitally and In-Person):
Even without direct connections in a new field, strategic networking can provide invaluable insights.

  • LinkedIn Learning & Groups: Join groups related to the industries you’re targeting. Observe discussions, identify thought leaders, and understand the jargon and pressing issues.
  • Industry Newsletters & Feeds: Subscribe to newsletters, follow industry blogs, and set up RSS feeds for key organizations.
  • Virtual Conferences & Webinars: Many industries now host online events. Attending even a few can provide a profound understanding of industry challenges and priorities.
  • Informational Interviews (Respectfully): If you have a tangential connection to someone in a target field (e.g., a friend of a friend), politely request a brief informational interview to understand their publishing landscape. Be clear you’re not asking for a job or a referral, but rather insights.

  • Actionable Step: Join two relevant LinkedIn groups. Subscribe to three industry newsletters. Identify one individual for a potential informational interview (be prepared with intelligent, specific questions).

  • Concrete Example: A children’s book author, known for creating engaging narratives about problem-solving, might target educational journals. They join LinkedIn groups for K-12 educators, subscribe to newsletters from educational technology companies, and even attend a free webinar on “Gamification in Learning.” This immersion helps them understand current pedagogical approaches and common challenges faced by teachers, providing concrete ideas for articles.

Crafting the Irresistible Pitch: Beyond the Fiction Query

A pitch to an editor in a new field is fundamentally different from a fiction query or even a standard non-fiction book proposal. It must demonstrate not only writing prowess but also a deep understanding of their audience and a clear value proposition.

1. The Tailored Hook: Relevance is King:
Forget generic openings. Your very first sentence must establish why you are writing to them and why this topic is vital for their specific audience right now.

  • Actionable Step: For your chosen publication, draft three different opening sentences for a hypothetical pitch. Each should explicitly link your idea to a current trend, a recent article they published, or a clear problem their readers face.

  • Concrete Example: Instead of, “I’m a writer interested in technology,” try: “In light of the recent [specific industry report/event], I believe your readers at [Publication Name] would benefit from an exploration of [your topic] – a topic where [your unique perspective/skill] offers a fresh angle on a pressing industry challenge.” For The BMJ‘s “Personal View” section: “Following your recent piece on physician burnout, I believe my experience as a poet observing healthcare from the patient’s perspective offers a unique lens on the emotional landscape of modern medical care.”

2. The Value Proposition: What Problem Do You Solve?
Editors are looking for solutions, insights, and engaging content that serves their readership. How will your piece inform, educate, entertain, or provoke thought in their specific audience?

  • Actionable Step: Clearly articulate the “so what?” of your article idea. What will readers gain from it? Will it save them time, money, offer a new perspective, improve a process, or inspire action?

  • Concrete Example: A literary fiction writer identifies their strength in character development. Pitching to a human resources journal, they propose an article on “The Archetypes of Team Conflict: Utilizing Narrative Structures to Understand and Resolve Workplace Disputes.” The value proposition is clear: HR professionals gain a novel, relatable framework for conflict resolution, informed by literary analysis. They are providing a practical tool, not just a story.

3. The Outline: Structure and Substance:
Editors need to visualize your article. A detailed outline, even for a short piece, demonstrates your organizational skills and forethought.

  • Actionable Step: Provide a clear, bulleted outline that details the flow of your article, including proposed subheadings and key arguments/takeaways for each section. If appropriate, suggest specific examples or case studies you’ll use.

  • Concrete Example: For an article on “Blockchain’s Impact on Supply Chain Transparency” for a logistics industry publication, an outline might look like this:

    • Introduction: The growing demand for supply chain transparency; current challenges.
    • What is Blockchain (simplified): A brief, non-technical explanation focusing on its key features (immutability, decentralization).
    • Four Key Benefits for Logistics:
      • Enhanced Traceability (e.g., food safety, ethical sourcing).
      • Reduced Fraud & Counterfeiting.
      • Streamlined Documentation & Customs.
      • Improved Payment Processing.
    • Case Study: [Company Name]’s Implementation: A brief, real-world example (if possible/demonstrable).
    • Challenges & Future Outlook: Scalability, regulatory hurdles, the path forward.
    • Conclusion: The transformative potential for the industry.

4. The Credibility Statement: Your Unique Authority:
You might not have a PhD in their field, but you have transferable skills and a unique perspective. This is where you connect your existing expertise to the new domain.

  • Actionable Step: Craft a concise (1-2 sentences) statement that bridges your current writing background with your proposed article’s topic, highlighting how your strengths make you uniquely qualified to write on it.

  • Concrete Example: For the children’s book author pitching the educational journal: “As a children’s author with a decade of experience crafting engaging narratives for young audiences, I bring a unique understanding of how to simplify complex concepts and maintain student engagement, critical elements for effective pedagogical design.” For the historical fiction writer pitching a political science journal: “My extensive research into historical power structures and societal shifts, while utilized in my historical fiction, provides a unique analytical lens into contemporary political dynamics and their long-term implications.”

5. The Submission Checklist: Flawless Execution:
Typos, formatting errors, or a failure to follow guidelines are immediate disqualifiers. This is doubly true when stepping outside your comfort zone.

  • Actionable Step: Before sending, meticulously review the publication’s specific formatting requirements (word count, file type, citations, bio length, subject line). Have a trusted, objective reader proofread your pitch for clarity, conciseness, and error-free language.

  • Concrete Example: If the guidelines state “send as a PDF, max 800 words,” do not send a Word document over 1000 words. If they ask for a third-person bio, don’t send a first-person one. Double-check the editor’s name and publication name for correct spelling.

Overcoming Roadblocks and Sustaining Momentum

The path to publishing beyond your field is rarely linear. It requires resilience, adaptability, and a proactive approach to learning from every interaction.

1. Embrace Rejection as Feedback:
Rejection is inherent to the writing life. When submitting beyond your field, it’s amplified because you’re navigating unfamiliar territory. Don’t take it personally. See it as data.

  • Actionable Step: Maintain a submission tracker. For rejections, note why if any feedback is provided. If no feedback, critically evaluate your pitch and research process. Did you genuinely understand their audience? Was the value proposition clear? Was your authority established?

  • Concrete Example: You pitched an article on the “Poetics of Scientific Data Visualization” to a data science journal. It was rejected. Upon reflection, you realize your pitch focused too heavily on the aesthetic qualities and not enough on the utility for data scientists in communicating complex information effectively. The next pitch for a similar journal would emphasize “clarity,” “impact,” and “persuasiveness” rather than just “beauty.”

2. Start Small and Build Credentials:
You don’t need to aim for Harvard Business Review on your first attempt. Local industry newsletters, organizational blogs, and smaller trade publications are excellent starting points.

  • Actionable Step: Target one “reach” publication, two “mid-tier” publications, and two “starter” publications (e.g., industry association blogs, internal corporate newsletters if you have a connection, small online-only journals). Secure a few publications in the “starter” category to build a portfolio of diverse work.

  • Concrete Example: A literary essayist wants to write for a major law journal. Instead of jumping directly there, they first pitch an essay on the “ethics of language in legal documents” to a state bar association newsletter, then a piece on “narrative techniques in legal arguments” to an online legal industry blog. These smaller wins provide clips and confidence, strengthening future pitches.

3. Iterate and Adapt Your Approach:
Each pitch and piece of feedback (or lack thereof) is an opportunity to refine your strategy. The first angle might not be the right one, or the first publication might not be the best fit.

  • Actionable Step: After five rejections from different publications in a new field, pause. Re-evaluate your deconstruction of your skills, your target identification, and your pitch structure. Consider if you’re truly understanding the audience’s pain points.

  • Concrete Example: A travel writer, attempting to write for an economics journal, keeps getting rejected. They initially pitch anecdotal pieces about local economies they observed. After several rejections, they realize the journal wants data-driven analysis and policy implications, not just observations. They adapt by incorporating more statistical analysis and tying their observations to broader economic theories in subsequent pitches.

4. Be a Lifelong Learner in the New Field:
This isn’t a one-off project. To truly excel, you need to cultivate a genuine interest and understanding of the new field.

  • Actionable Step: Continually read publications in your target fields, follow key influencers, and even take introductory online courses if a particular subject truly sparks your interest. The more you immerse yourself, the more authentic and insightful your writing will become.

  • Concrete Example: A poet who successfully published an essay in a philosophical journal on “the linguistic limits of scientific discourse” continues to read philosophy journals, engage in online discussions, and even begins listening to philosophy podcasts. This deepens their understanding and opens up new article ideas organically.

The Transformative Power of Broadening Your Horizons

Submitting beyond your familiar field is more than just a publishing strategy; it’s a profound act of professional and personal growth. It forces you to think critically about your own writing, challenging ingrained habits and opening your mind to new applications of your creative and analytical skills.

It cultivates intellectual agility, requiring you to translate complex ideas between disparate domains, a skill invaluable in any professional landscape. It expands your network exponentially, connecting you with diverse thinkers and practitioners who approach the world from entirely different angles. And ultimately, it can open up new income streams, new speaking opportunities, and even entirely new career paths you never envisioned.

For the writer, the true reward lies in the expanded reach of their voice, the validation of their ideas in unexpected places, and the sheer intellectual thrill of proving that compelling words, honed by craft and informed by strategy, truly have no boundaries. This journey beyond the familiar is not just about getting published; it’s about redefining what it means to be a writer in an increasingly interconnected world.