The Markaz Review would not be what it is today without the generous support and partnership of the following foundations and individuals. Your support allows us to be a vehicle of self-expression for people who are frequently underrepresented, or misrepresented, on the global stage. By sharing our stories, we seek to celebrate and preserve our unique histories and identities.
The Markaz Review aka TMR seeks essays, feature articles and reviews of books, film, music, theatre and art, as well as profiles/interviews of artists, filmmakers, musicians and writers (1,000-3,000 words). We’re interested in covering a worldwide array of visual, literary and performing arts events, as well as current affairs. We also publish opinion columns (750-1,500 words). Our style is serious without being academic. Our writers care and are even passionate on the subjects they cover. Critical and comparative thinking in TMR writing is key. It is essential for all Markaz Review stories that the writer have a strong point of view, a clear voice, a sense of authority about the subject, with a commanding lead paragraph and a strong conclusion. Merely relating biographical details and sharing quotes doesn’t do the trick. Readers want to know from the get-go, why should they be interested in this subject or this person? what’s so special about it/them? The writer has to get at the essence of the subject, and not be satisfied with appearances — just quoting someone, for example, is being satisfied with the surface details, with appearances, but what lies beneath, what is the psychology and/or philosophy of the subject, the experience and its meaning or significance? We want to think more about essences than appearances. We also encourage writers not to only get information from the subject (the “horse’s mouth” as it were) but other sources, including critical assessment. This goes without saying.
Query the Editors (How to Query)
Pitch your story idea to one of the editors with a strong point of view and obvious knowledge of your subject: 1. Tell us in a sentence or two what the story or subject is, and why it’s relevant and needed; 2. Explain why you think it’s a great fit for The Markaz Review; 3. And why you’re the one to write it. If you haven’t previously written for The Markaz Review, include a sample clip/link or two so we can get a sense of your flare. That’s all there is to it. A good query will get a faster response! Come on, knock us out! (Editors can be reached via their first name-at-staging26.themarkaz.org or query editor@staging26.themarkaz.org.) Book publicists, authors and publishers should address a press release and an electronic ARC of your book to our Executive Editor, Rana Asfour, who handles assignments: rana-at-staging26.themarkaz.org. To potentially have your film, art exhibition or other event reviewed, drop us a line at info-at-staging26.themarkaz.org and your query will be forwarded to the appropriate editor. Reviewers: While we are very open to comparative review essays (typically 1,000-3,000 words), we discourage writers from pitching reviews in which they would be writing about books or films by friends. A little objectivity goes a long way, and we prefer critical writing that holds work to high standards.
Scroll to Top
We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it.
