The Common is a literary magazine that publishes essays with a global and contemporary sensibility. This call is for nonfiction essays, with all prose pieces receiving three reads by the reading staff before an editor makes a final decision. The magazine considers all nonfiction for both print and online publication, including the online columns Long Reads, which features longer-form essays, and Dispatches, which publishes much shorter pieces. The reading process is thorough, though it may result in longer wait times. The submission guidelines are precise: essays must not exceed 10,000 words, and longer submissions will be automatically withdrawn. Identifying information must be omitted from the submission file. A fee of $3.00 (USD) is required. Writers may submit only once per reading period until they receive a response. The deadline is December 1, 2026. While no monetary prize is offered, publication in The Common carries the weight of a respected literary venue. The magazine's commitment to careful reading and its dual print-online presence make it a notable destination for essayists seeking a discerning audience. The curatorial vision favors work that is thoughtfully crafted and resonant, whether short or long form.