Call for submissions: The Chicago Neighborhood Guidebook

NOTE: THIS POST HAS BEEN UPDATED AS OF 8/15/18

Chicago: city of neighborhoods, amirite? Seventy-seven of them, formally; more than 200 in subjective, ever-changing fact. But what does that actually mean? The Chicago Neighborhood Guidebook, the latest in Belt's series of idiosyncratic city guides (after Cleveland and Detroit), aims to explore community history and identity in a global city through essays articulating the lived experience of its residents.

What does it take for urban agriculture to thrive in Englewood? Can one corner store tell the story of Logan Square? Just what is going on with affordable housing in Jefferson Park? And what's it really like to grow up in Pullman, to buy a house in Auburn Gresham, to grow old in Uptown? We seek the answers to these questions and more, in the form of nonfiction essays of less than 2500 words. Tell us something we don't know about 21st-century life in Avondale and Austin; Woodlawn and West Ridge. Successful pieces will deliver an insiders understanding of the city and a strong sense of place, told in the writer's unique voice. Both completed essays and knowledgeable, thoughtful pitches are welcome. All contributors will be paid.

We'd also very much like to hear ideas for shorter pieces -- poetry, annotated maps, best-of lists, and short q&a's with community leaders -- that will stand the test of time (this is a book after all, and hopefully will be around for a while). We will also consider B&W photography and art.

We are particularly looking for work from contributors on the South and West sides of the city, from the neighborhoods of Auburn-Gresham, Chatham, Englewood, Woodlawn, Back of the Yards, North Lawndale, Garfield Park, and Austin

The Chicago Neighborhood Guidebook is tentatively slated to publish in Fall 2019.

Send pitches or completed essays, plus a short author bio, in the body of an email to martha@beltmag.com; put "Chicago Neighborhood Guidebook" somewhere in the subject line of your message. New deadline is October 15.

Thank you! We look forward to hearing from you.