Writer’s Guidelines and Submissions

Alabama Heritage–a nonprofit publication of the University of Alabama, the University of Alabama at Birmingham, and the Alabama Department of Archives and History–is a quarterly historical magazine designed for a general audience. We publish articles on local, state, and regional history; art; literature; language; archaeology; music; religion; architecture; and natural history.

  • We seek lively, well-researched, and well-written articles that appeal to intelligent, inquisitive readers. Of special interest to us are articles that discuss events within the context of their times and articles that show connections between the past and the present, between Alabama and the rest of the world.
  • Most of our feature articles contain approximately 3,000-4,500 words and include additional material such as sidebars and photographs.
  • We will also consider short pieces, 800-1,200 words, for our departments.
  • Authors should include footnotes and a bibliography. (We do not print footnotes, but we do check facts.)
  • We welcome the contributions of freelancers but suggest that ideas for articles be submitted—in some detail—to our editors in advance. Queries should include a description of the writer’s credentials—both writing experience and expertise in the subject being proposed–and writing samples.
  • When submitting feature articles, authors should also send a brief, personal biographical statement including credentials and a list of suggested further reading for our subscribers. This information will appear in the “Contributions, Sources, and Suggested Reading” section in the magazine, as well as online under our “Contributing Writers” section.
  • We do not publish fiction or poetry.
  • Our articles are heavily illustrated. We encourage authors to provide suggested illustrations and photographs with the submitted article.
  • Alabama Heritage purchases articles on a “work-for-hire” basis, with all reprint rights being retained by the magazine, including electronic publishing rights.


For more information and for more detailed writer’s guidelines, email Susan Reynolds.