Join us.
Five out of Ten publishes the best independent games writing in the world. We offer our writers a blank canvas: we want your essays, experiences, hopes and dreams. We are written by everyone, for anyone. We’ll never be the world’s biggest magazine, but we want to be the best – and fairest.
What we’re looking for
- Unique, imaginative and inspirational games criticism and cultural writing
- Meticulously researched, thought-provoking investigative journalism
- Voices from beyond the mainstream: we have a proud history of publishing work from women, minorities, and LGBTQ-specialist writers. We strongly encourage writers from marginalised backgrounds to submit pitches.
What we’re not looking for
- Event coverage; interviews outside the context of a wider feature
- Anything about these game series (we love them, we’ve just covered them too much!): BioShock series, Minecraft, Deus Ex series, The Elder Scrolls series, Far Cry series, Unreal, Spec Ops: The Line, The Sims, Dishonored.
- Anything similar to previously-published essays. You can see all of our back issues in the catalogue.
What you need to know
- Five out of Ten pays each contributor a proportion of magazine sales. Therefore, there is no guaranteed wage, but we’ll pay you as much as we can.
- We are accepting pieces for publication throughout 2015 and into early 2016. Your essay will be reserved for a future issue with others that are a good balance. We will give you at least two months notice before copy is due.
- We do not accept unsolicited submissions or republications of previously published work.
- We must receive specific pitches. Do not send generic freelance work requests.
- You can email us more than one pitch – just include them all in the contact form below. No need for multiple emails!
- You must provide a portfolio of work: 2-3 representative samples. Your writing need not have been professionally published elsewhere. We don’t want to see your CV.
- We reply to everyone (as long as you follow these guidelines), but it takes time. Please don’t chase us with follow-up emails. We will be deliberating in early March.
- We’re accepting submissions until we have enough. This will probably be for around a week, but pitch early to avoid disappointment.
Other stuff
- Please read this guide, which explains how to write a great pitch.
- Watch this video for an insight into the ethos of the magazine.
- It’s OK to ask us about something if you’re not sure!
- Be bold.
We are no longer accepting pitches – thanks for your submissions!
