Each annual cohort will comprise up to six writers at varying levels of their careers who can successfully pitch, report and/or research, conduct interviews, and produce articles or essays for publication. Applicants will need to provide at least three writing samples, preferably published through an editorial process, along with a resume, cover letter, and one reference from a direct collaborator or professional colleague who can speak to the applicant's work and community relations. Finalists may be asked to join a brief interview to discuss details of their topic, background research, or other questions from the editors.

As part of the Forging journal cohort, writers will have the opportunity to spend up to one week in residence at Forge Project during the late fall or early spring for a self-directed retreat in our library of over 1,000 titles. During their retreat, writers will stay in a private bedroom at Forge Project with shared common spaces. Writers will also receive an additional $1,000 stipend to cover travel, groceries, and other expenses during their stay. Editors will be available during the writing retreat to discuss ideas or make connections with local experts working in their field of interest.

We invite contributors who are deeply committed to changing the way we study and interpret Indigenous survivance in the face of settler colonialism, with a focus on centering and engaging Native voices. We accept work from non-Native writers with a history of compelling research on the topic they’re proposing.

What to Contribute

Possible contributions to Forging may include researched essays or critical reflections tied to a political topic, feature-length news reportage, photo essays, written interviews, analysis of cultural work or popular media, as well as other literary and creative explorations. Articles and essays can range from 800 to 1,200 words, and must include images.

Please note: We are not able to accept works of fiction or poetry at this time.

• Reportage
  
  Similar to classical news feature reporting, but it also incorporates elements of first observation and is generally deeper and more nuanced than traditional news coverage of events.

• Arguments
  
  Provocative editorials that aim to undercut conventional wisdom on a topic by presenting something completely new to the public discourse or recasting a key historical event in a new light. In short, this section aims to stoke new debate about a longstanding issue or present a new issue altogether.

• Anchored in History
  
  Narrative essays that are anchored in historic events that continue to shape society today. This section takes a misunderstood or undercovered episode in history and recasts it with an eye toward understanding modern conflicts and trends. 

• First Person
  
  Essays of a highly personal nature that tell a story bigger than the writer alone, touching upon universal themes.

• Cultural analysis
  
  Thoughtful analysis essays that articulate important ideas and themes, drawing on works of art such as books, films, television series or music

How to Apply

Our team of editors are looking for pitches for a package or a series of two to three articles around a related topic or theme. 

• Keep it short
  
  Limit your pitch to one page. Explain how your story ideas are related to one another. Let us know what’s interesting, why we should care, and use this opportunity to give us a sense of your voice and writing style.

• Include relevant details
  
  Let us know why you think Forging is a good fit for your stories, what form each article will take (ie, a reported essay or feature-length news article), and how many words we can expect you to submit for your final draft .

• Introduce yourself
  
  Give us an idea of who you are, your past experience, and why you are the right person to write this story.

• Let us know about possible conflicts of interest, if any, including work or personal relationships, and other connections

Please also include your resume, one professional reference, and three writing samples, in a single PDF to [email protected] with the subject line “Journal Application” by Friday, August 8, 2025. Applications will be reviewed by editors and finalists will be reviewed by an independent editorial committee. Cohort members will be notified no later than Monday, September 15, 2025.

Project Examples

Impacts of federal budget cuts on tribal colleges and universities, including: 

• A reported article on overall losses, with interviews with administrators, professors, and students;

• A history of TCUs, Native Studies departments, and culturally responsive education; and

• A cultural essay on Lloyd Kiva New, the Cherokee designer and co-founder of the Institute of American Indian Arts in Santa Fe.

The legacy of uranium mining on Navajo Nation, including:

• A researched history of environmental and health impacts;

• A photo essay with long-form captions of efforts to clean up abandoned mine sites; and

• A Q&A with activists advocating for healthcare for Diné suffering from chronic illness due to exposure to toxic chemicals.

Payment Details

Forge Project pays $1/word on assignment, and is looking for articles of no more than 1,200 words each. Writers can expect to be paid per assignment upon invoicing, plus a retreat stipend prior to their time in residence at Forge Project (no more than $4,600 per cohort term, October 2025 to May 2026).