Publication analysis
About the publication
Title: The Atlantic
ISSN: 1072-7825 (Print) and 2151-9463 (Online).1
Website: http://www.theatlantic.com
Purpose, objective, or mission: Per their website, “We reach thinking people—and make them think harder. The Atlantic’s audience is influential, curious, and eager to leave a lasting mark on the world. Never ones to shy away from change, they seek out new ideas, challenge conventions—including their own—and ultimately aim to foster progress.”2
Target audience: For general audiences interested in current topics and foreign affairs.
Publisher: Atlantic Media Company.3
Peer reviewed? No.
Type: General interest magazine with varied topics from politics, foreign affairs, and culture.
Medium: Print and online.
Content: News stories, articles, fiction pieces, and interviews.
Frequency of publication: Published 10 times a year.4
About the publication’s submission guidelines
Location of submission guidelines: https://support.theatlantic.com/hc/en-us/categories/360000916494-Editorial-Inquiries
Types of contributions accepted: According to their guidelines, “The Atlantic magazine is always interested in great nonfiction, fiction, and poetry. A general familiarity with what we have published in the past is the best guide to our needs and preferences.” Additionally, “The Atlantic wants to hear what you think. . . Visit our Contact Us form and select Letter to the Editor to send an email directly to the Letters section of The Atlantic.5 If you want to send an email from your personal email to the editors at The Atlantic, include “your full name, your mailing address and a phone number where we can contact you.6
Submission and review process: All manuscripts should be submitted as a Word document or PDF. Succinct pitches may be submitted in the body of an e-mail. Send nonfiction manuscripts or pitches to submissions [at] theatlantic.com; fiction manuscripts to fiction [at] theatlantic.com; poetry to poetry [at] theatlantic.com; pitches or commentaries about politics to politics [at] theatlantic.com; pitches or commentaries about culture and books to culture [at] theatlantic.com; pitches or commentaries about business to business [at] theatlantic.com; pitches or commentaries about science, technology, and health to science [at] theatlantic.com; pitches or commentaries about family to family [at] theatlantic.com; pitches or commentaries about education to education [at] theatlantic.com; pitches or commentaries about global issues to global [at] theatlantic.com; and pitches or commentaries about ideas to ideas [at] theatlantic.com.7 Letters to the Editor are to be sent via the form on the “Contact Us” page. 8
Editorial tone: Writing is sophisticated but easy to read.
Style guide used: None offered.
Conclusion: Evaluation of publication’s potential for LIS authors
Because The Atlantic welcomes unsolicited manuscripts, there is potential for LIS authors to inform a general audience of library news and events. This is not a scholarly journal, yet there is plenty of prestige in being published here as it is more than 160 years in publication.9 LIS professionals and novice writers have an opportunity to expound on topics of interest and perhaps find ideas for scholarly works. Fiction and poetry submissions are also welcomed; it appears that many LIS professionals find this to be a stimulating outlet for non-scholarly writing. Topics that might be suitable for this venue are technological change in libraries, political and social issues surrounding libraries, and the paperless academic library.
Audience analysis
About the publication’s readers
Publication circulation: 1.9 million print readers and 33.7 million global unique digital visitors.10
Audience location and language or cultural considerations: Information regarding audience location is not provided, though international subscriptions are available.11 Content is published in English.
Reader characteristics: No information could be located regarding the specific reader characteristics for readers of The Atlantic.
Knowledge of LIS subject matter: Readers are not likely to know a lot about LIS subject matter if they are simply reading this magazine. A recent article, “Is Google Making Us Stupid,” published here would indicate that readers have some interest in computers and technology; researching the magazine index could not locate any specific articles on library and information science. As this audience is considered affluent and well educated, they are likely to read other magazines and have formulated opinions on LIS topics.
Conclusion: Analysis of reader characteristics and their potential impact on authors
Readers of The Atlantic are interested in smart writing and provocative, thought-provoking conversations. LIS topics and issues that need influential advocates would certainly find them here. Articles should be well written, directed toward an educated audience, limit library jargon (or explain each thoroughly), and provide documented corroboration for their issues. References are not a requirement; however, if the author is seeking advocacy for LIS issues, articles will need facts, not just opinions, and perceptive readers will be able to distinguish between the two. Authors must be determined and resolute in their submission process, as The Atlantic receives too many submissions annually to consider them all.
Last updated: September 20, 2020
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