Submit story ideas.
We welcome your ideas for stories in upcoming issues of American Craft! American Craft celebrates the diversity and ingenuity of craft in America and its makers. From handcrafted pieces we use in our homes and wear every day, to the fine craft honored in museums and the way communities come together around it to make a difference, we cover work that inspires us to think differently, appreciate our surroundings, and connect with our fellow humans.
General guidelines.
We publish reported articles, essays, and opinion pieces.
- We ask that you look at past articles, review these guidelines, and consider our upcoming themes before sending us your ideas.
- Are you an artist who wants us to know about your work? Great! Please let us know if you think there’s an upcoming issue where your work would fit particularly well. We often discover artists we want to cover, then go out and find a great writer for the story.
- Stories are generally assigned at 400–2,000 words. Our pay is $.50–$1.00/word, depending on the assignment.
- We welcome a diversity of voices and feature a wide array of artists and makers. We do not discriminate on the basis of age, ancestry, disability, family status, gender identity or expression, national origin, race, religion, sex or sexual orientation, or for any other reason.
Our readers.
Our audience values community, sustainability, authenticity, ingenuity, and well-made things.
Our readers recognize the many design choices they have in everyday life—in their creative work, the artful objects in their homes and workplaces, the clothing they wear, and the media they engage with. We produce stories for people who value the handcrafted over the manufactured, artists, collectors, and independent thinkers with a keen interest in the creative process—including materials, techniques, and processes.
Crafting content for a creative audience.
We value writers who can craft content for a general creative audience with clarity and insight. We love good reporting, incisive quotes, lively storytelling, and meaningful essays. Writers should take special care, when touching on craft theory or history, to write clearly, for a non-academic audience.
Many American Craft writers have experience as arts journalists, are thorough in their reporting, and write with depth and nuance. We also love working with artists and other craft professionals who have particular insights or knowledge to impart to readers of American Craft.
The ideal writer can be counted on to:
- Keep us apprised of changes in story concept at the reporting stage
- Write to the agreed-upon length
- Meet all deadlines
- Collaborate on editing, responding quickly to questions and suggestions
- Help to gather images when necessary
Story topics.
What we (and our readers) are interested in.
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We’re interested in artists, whether emerging, mid-career, or seasoned—who use unusual materials; have discovered a new technique; have traveled unusual paths in their work; are going through a transition, reaching a pinnacle, or facing a challenge; are working in collaborative partnerships; and more.
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We’re curious about craft brings together a community for a good purpose.
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We want to hear about craft and its makers that reflect these values.
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Tell us about handmade goods that are impressive and accessible.
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We want to hear interesting stories about how things are made and what they’re made of.
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How is craft evolving to meet the moment?
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Tell us about organizations that specialize in craft and who are advancing craft in interesting ways.
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Share your stories about people who’ve collected craft and objects in unique ways.
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Share your insight on places that people can visit to see and experience craft.
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Share books, films, podcasts, exhibitions, and shows of interest to a broad craft-loving audience.
Upcoming themes.
Each issue explores a unique theme relevant to the craft community and our readers.
SPRING 2026
Adventure
Pitches due: August 11, 2025
Adventure asks us to depart from the comfortable, safe, or familiar—to take a chance on the unknown. In this issue we explore places to embark on craft adventures and handmade items made for travel. We highlight lively craft communities, daring artistic collaborations, and organizational partnerships yielding unexpected results. Throughout, we spotlight makers who push past the conventions of their chosen medium to discover something new.
Special coverage:
Travel, ceramics, glass
SUMMER 2026
Revolution
Pitches due: November 10, 2025
Revolution is circular motion. It’s also transformation, overthrow, and upheaval. This issue looks at cyclical techniques and patterns in craft that lead to metamorphosis. We feature craft created through spinning—like spun glass or ceramics thrown on a wheel—and handmade goods that twirl. We share stories of craft revolutionaries, from historic figures to contemporary makers reviving craft traditions. And, in “The Scene,” we visit the San Francisco Bay Area where we celebrate the revolutionary spirit of the artists and makers who live there.
Special coverage:
Museums, wood, metal, San Francisco Bay Area, California
FALL 2026
Work
Pitches due: February 9, 2026
We work to fulfill our essential needs—and to make beautiful things. In this issue, we investigate intersections between craft and manufacturing, and illuminate trades that center the work of the human hand. We explore partnerships between craft and interior design, as well as handmade fashion. This issue also celebrates the winners of the 2026 American Craft Council Awards: artists, scholars, teachers, and advocates whose work moves the craft field forward.
Special coverage:
Interior Design, fashion, heritage manufacturing, ACC Awards
Submit ideas.
We welcome queries that sum up in a paragraph or two the most interesting aspects of a proposed story. If possible, please also include reference links and images with your pitch. We aim for a well-written magazine, and one that is also visually impactful.
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