“It seems to me that our three basic needs, for food and security and love, are so mixed and mingled and entwined that we that we cannot straightly think of one without the others," 

--M.F.K. Fisher, Art of Eating. 


The best food writing is not just about what’s on the plate, but is, like all literature, also interested in language, psychology, and the most pressing issues of the day. The Inquisitive Eater: New School Food aims to provide a forum for artists and academics alike to come together in discussion of what role food plays in our lives, through the environment, politics, economics, nationalism, poverty, inequality, and family. With several sections (Creative Writing & Visual Art, Food News, Video Archive, Think Tank, Profiles & Interviews, and Books & Media), various angles of food thought will be collected and shared.




General Instructions


• All writers must submit their original works. 


• Previously published work is not accepted. 


• Cover letter, bio, and submission can all be included in "Cover Letter" submission form


• Electronic submission ONLY


• Text must include contact information (address, phone, e-mail) and a short (100 word) biography.


• Please feel free to include any related media to the article you are submitting (photographs, audio, video, etc.)




Submit to Creative Writing: Fiction
This section focuses on fiction or fiction-like pieces related to food and the culinary world. If you're unsure which category your submission belongs in, choose the best option and let us know which intersections you feel best describe your piece (cross-genre is entirely okay!). Specific submission guidelines are outlined below.


Writing Submissions
• Fiction (or mostly-fiction) belongs in this category.
• Times New Roman, 12 pt. font, double-spaced.
• File must be PDF, Word document, RTF or TXT. Documents without smart quotes (curly quotes) are preferred, but not required.

Submit to Creative Writing: Nonfiction
This section focuses on personal essays and memoirs related to food and the culinary world. More academic nonfiction should be submitted through the “Think Tank”category . If you're unsure which category your submission belongs in, choose the best option and let us know which intersections you feel best describe your piece (cross-genre is entirely okay!). Specific submission guidelines are outlined below.


Writing Submissions
• Nonfiction (personal essay or memoir) belongs in this category.
• Times New Roman, 12 pt. font, double-spaced.
• File must be PDF, Word document, RTF or TXT. Documents without smart quotes (curly quotes) are preferred, but not required.


Submit to Creative Writing: Poetry
This section focuses on poetry of any form related to food and the culinary world. If you're unsure which category your submission belongs in, choose the best option and let us know which intersections you feel best describe your piece (cross-genre is entirely okay!). Specific submission guidelines are outlined below.


Writing Submissions
• Poetry of any form belongs in this category.
• Times New Roman, 12 pt. font, spaced as you want it to appear.
• must be 40 or fewer lines. Prose-poems must be under 1,500 words.
• File must be PDF, Word document, RTF or TXT. Documents without smart quotes (curly quotes) are preferred, but not required.

Submit to Visual and Multimedia Art
This section focuses on video, art and photography related to food and the culinary world. This can include short documentary, audio, graphic art and design. If you're unsure which category your submission belongs in, choose the best option and let us know which intersections you feel best describe your piece (cross-genre is entirely okay!). Specific submission guidelines are outlined below.


Writing Submissions
• Visual art of any kind (including video) belongs in this category.
• If text is included, please use Times New Roman, 12 pt. font, double-spaced.
• Please include an artist's statement in your cover letter.
• Most file types are accepted—if you are having difficulty with your specific file type, don't hesitate to email inquisitive.eater@gmail.com. If utilizing text, documents without smart quotes (curly quotes) are preferred, but not required.

Submit to Think Tank: Academic and Theoretical Writing
Highlighting essays, articles, and op-eds by scholars, practitioners, and advocates, “Think Tank” will provide a forum for researchers, writers and readers to engage with food-related topics ranging from politics and policy to social issues and debates on culture, history, health, justice, the environment and sustainability. Submissions limited to 5,000 words.
Submit to Profiles & Interviews
Chefs, restaurant owners, and cookbook writers are among the many we hope to profile and interview, providing a behind-the-scenes look at those in the culinary world. Submissions limited to 1,000 words.
Submit to Books & Media
Current reviews of books, movies and anything pop culture. Like or hate the new David Chang cookbook? Write in and tell us why. Submissions limited to 1,000 words.
The Inquisitive Eater: New School Food