A selection of the incredible Timelines of the Star Trek Universe (Enterprise, Discovery, The Original Series, The Next Generation, Deep Space Nine, Voyager, Movies, Kelvin Timeline) by CellarDoor85 (Robert Aehnelt), CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Editor’s Log, Stardate -298115.2331891317
Contingent Magazine is now accepting pitches for its December issue exploring the relationship between Star Trek and history. Pitches may engage any or all manifestations of Star Trek: TV series, films, merchandise, comics, fan culture, popular reception, and more.1 Place an aspect of the franchise in historical context. Explore the ways 20th and 21st century real-world challenges were confronted (or ignored) in Star Trek storytelling. Produce in-galaxy historical analysis by drawing from multiple manifestations of the franchise. Examine the way history itself functions in the franchise. We’re looking for anything and everything–infinite diversity in infinite combinations!
We are interested, of course, in written essays, but we’re also open to pitches for comics, collages, photo essays—any medium, really, so long as it’s rooted in primary and secondary sources. (We like citations!) The pay rate for this series will be $200 for 500-800 word essays.
Pitches are due by Sunday, November 24. You’ll hear back from us by Monday, November 25. Drafts will be due by Monday, December 2. The final pieces will be published throughout December.
To pitch, use the form at the bottom of our Pitch Us page, selecting “STAR TREK” from the drop-down menu. In your pitch, please include a short bio and some of the sources you’ll use. As always, Contingent will prioritize pitches from people who have completed postgraduate work in history (or a history-adjacent field) and are working outside of tenure-track employment.
- See our 2019 Star Wars and 2023 The X-Files series as examples.