Undark Magazine is a non-profit, editorially independent digital magazine exploring the intersection of science and society. Undark is seeking creative pitches for the coming season of the Undark podcast.

The name Undark arises from a murky, century-old mingling of science and commerce – one that resulted in an industrial and consumer product that was both awe-inspiring and, as scientists would later prove, toxic and deadly. We appropriate the name as a signal to readers that our magazine will explore science not just as a “gee-whiz” phenomenon, but as a frequently wondrous, sometimes contentious, and occasionally troubling byproduct of human culture.

Pitches should fit within Undark’s editorial mission. They are looking for pieces with narrative and ambient sound captured from the field. By this, they mean ambient sound that is out in the world as opposed to pure interview pieces. They want a running length of 3 to 5 minutes.

Rates vary depending on the complexity of the project, among other factors, but typically range from $400 to $600. Undark encourages sticking to the time constraint so you’re compensated fairly.

Send your pitch to podcast@undark.org. Include a couple of sentences about your pitch, where/how you’ll incorporate field recording, and links to previous samples of your work.