Call for non-fiction writing on Bangladesh

As people of Bangladesh mark the 50th year of their Independence, Himal Southasian invites pitches and submissions of non-fiction writing on Bangladesh – including reportage, essays and reviews – as well as photo essays and illustrations. Accepted submissions will form part of a special series on contemporary Bangladesh that will be published later this year.

We're looking for stories that go beyond the usual coverage of Bangladesh in international outlets – which are often limited to reports on crackdowns on free speech and celebrations of growth rates – and which add to our past reporting on the country. (Also, see a thread of some essay we have published on the 1971 Liberation war here). We know about Bangladesh's past. But what of its future?

While we are open to submissions on a wide variety of subjects, we are seeking articles that grapple with questions about ecology, economy and technology, and their intersections with Bangladeshi society and state. We also encourage perspectives that transcend the nation state and tell stories of contemporary Bangladesh's Southasian as well as global connections. We are also keen to collaborate with photographers and illustrators.

Our editors and fact checkers will work closely with the writers of the accepted pieces, fine tuning the argument and structure of the stories. The writers will be paid for their articles upon publication. More information on pitching to us, writing for us, and our editorial process can be found here. Please send your submissions to editorial@himalmag.com with the subject 'Bangladesh special issue article'. The deadline for sending the pitches and submissions is 30 June 2021.