Write for the Journal

The Journal publishes essays by members of Coordinates of Thought. It sits beside the forums but moves more slowly: a place for a worked-out thought rather than a first reaction.

What we publish

We publish essays that do one of three things well:

• Explain an idea, text or thinker clearly enough that a newcomer can follow and a specialist would not object.
• Argue for a position, fairly and with the strongest objection answered.
• Connect philosophy to a life, a profession or a place, showing what a doctrine looks like when it meets a ward, a classroom or a courtroom.

Essays from any tradition are welcome, and so are essays that read one tradition through another.

Length

The minimum is 300 words. Most published essays run between 800 and 1,500 words. Longer pieces are fine when the argument needs the room; if yours runs past 3,000 words, consider whether it is really two essays.

Style

Write for an intelligent reader who is not a specialist. Use plain language, short paragraphs and headings where they help. Define technical terms the first time you use them. Use British or American spelling, but be consistent. A personal voice is welcome; jargon for its own sake is not.

Sources

Name the works you rely on: author, title, and chapter or section where it matters. Quote sparingly and accurately, and never invent a quotation or a date. If you are unsure of a date, leave it out. A short list of further reading at the end is welcome but not required.

AI policy

The argument must be yours. You may use AI tools for spelling, grammar or translation, provided you say so in a note at the end of the essay. Essays drafted or argued by AI will not be published.

How review works

Every essay is read by an editor before it appears. The editor checks that it is clear, fair to the views it discusses, accurate in its claims about texts and thinkers, and within the house rules. Most essays come back with a few suggestions; some are published as submitted; occasionally we decline one with an explanation. Review is a conversation, not a verdict, and you are welcome to reply to the editor's notes.

How to submit

1. Sign in and go to Your page → Journal.
2. Choose + Write an essay and add a title, a one- or two-sentence summary, and your text (at least 300 words).
3. Pick a category, and add traditions and thinkers if they apply.
4. Press Send to the editors. You will be notified when your essay is published, and an editor may write to you in your inbox first.

Questions before you start? Write to the editors at info@coordinatesofthought.com.