General Submission Guidelines

For The Writers is a dynamic platform dedicated to showcasing diverse literary and artistic voices, fostering a vibrant community of creators and readers. We are passionate about publishing a wide array of creative works and invite submissions in the following categories.

Creative Nonfiction

We’re seeking narrative nonfiction that dares to stretch beyond the ordinary—work that pushes boundaries, reframes familiar ideas, and confronts the complexities of lived experience. These are stories that refuse easy answers, instead inviting readers into deeper questions, nuanced perspectives, and the kind of reflection that lingers long after the final sentence.

The strongest nonfiction pieces are not limited to recounting events, but immersing readers in them. We want to feel the searing ache of loss as if it were our own, the exhilaration of hard-won joy, and the quiet reassurance that comes from recognizing ourselves in another’s struggle. Nonfiction at its best builds empathy, collapsing the distance between writer and reader and forging connections that transcend background, culture, or belief.

We are drawn to work that leaves a physical mark on its audience: goosebumps rising from a vivid image, a tightness in the throat from an unflinching truth, or the stillness of reflection sparked by a resonant moment. What makes these stories unforgettable is not only their craft but their ability to unlock something unspoken within the reader.

Great nonfiction unsettles as much as it comforts. It challenges assumptions, dismantles certainty, and encourages readers to see the world anew. At the same time, it offers healing through recognition, reminding us that even in isolation, we are bound by the shared threads of human experience.

Whether it is an intimate memoir, a piece of cultural criticism, or a hybrid essay that blends reportage with reflection, your nonfiction should aim to transform. It should stir curiosity, spark dialogue, and leave readers not only moved but changed—enriched, awakened, and eager to keep turning toward the questions your story has raised.

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Fiction

Send us the story only you can tell—the one that opens a door into another life and lets us experience the world through fresh eyes. We’re seeking fiction that goes beyond entertainment, stories that stir empathy, spark discomfort, or deepen our understanding of what it means to be human.

We welcome sharp satire that exposes uncomfortable truths with wit and precision, tragedy that offers catharsis without sentimentality, and parables that leave a lingering lesson readers carry with them long after the last page.

All genres are welcome—literary, speculative, historical, experimental—as long as the work takes creative risks to uncover something raw, vulnerable, and true. We’re drawn to fiction that immerses us in lives we’ve never lived, reveals the weight of choices made under pressure, or captures the extraordinary within the ordinary.

The strongest stories make readers feel, whether it’s the ache of grief, the rush of courage, or the quiet recognition of a hidden truth. We want laughter that comes not only from clever phrasing but from the shock of recognition; we want tears that rise from the honesty of experience.

Your fiction should push boundaries, ignite curiosity, and leave readers changed. We want work that provokes thought, expands perspective, and inspires reflection, whether that’s the courage to face fears, the comfort of shared experience, or the recognition of connection across divides.

This is fiction that doesn’t simply tell a story but creates an experience. Bold, emotionally honest, and unforgettable, these are the stories that stay with readers, shaping the way they see themselves and the world around them.

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Voices of Resilience Series

Alongside our standard creative nonfiction submissions, we proudly invite our community to participate in our Voices of Resilience Series. This special feature is dedicated to the stories that speak to the heart of the creative journey—the moments of self-doubt, burnout, imposter syndrome, or similar challenges that so many of us face. If you’ve navigated these struggles and found strength, perspective, or growth along the way, this is your chance to share your story.

Whether in the form of an essay, poem, or short story, we want to hear how these experiences have shaped your path as a writer. Selected pieces will be featured in our monthly spotlight, with the opportunity to appear in our next print issue. We believe every voice matters, and this series is a celebration of the resilience and determination that fuel the creative process.

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Letters to the Editor

We welcome your voice in shaping the ongoing conversation at For The Writers. Did one of our recent essays, stories, or poems strike a personal chord? Share how it resonated with your own experiences. Do you have thoughtful feedback on our editorial direction, areas where we can grow, or ideas for features you’d like to see? We encourage both praise and constructive critique.

We also invite you to submit short reflections or anecdotes sparked by something you’ve read in our pages, and moments when our work connected with your own writing journey, creative struggles, or breakthroughs. These letters help us understand how our publication is reaching readers, while also highlighting the diverse perspectives that make our community dynamic.

Your contributions may be published in print or online, giving you the opportunity to engage in meaningful dialogue with fellow writers and readers.

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Poetry

We’re looking for work that doesn’t shy away from mystery, that embraces both the clarity and uncertainty of being human, and that carries the weight of discovery in every line.

We want poems that probe relationships in all their beauty and fragility, that wrestle with spirituality or the search for God, that grieve what’s been lost or celebrate what endures. Whether through a narrative arc or distilled lyric, your words should bring the intangible into focus, offering language for what often goes unspoken.

The poems that resonate most are those that invite us into intimacy, drawing us close enough to feel the tremor of longing, the quiet ache of grief, the rush of love, or the stillness of acceptance. They are accessible yet layered, guiding us toward moments of recognition and revelation.

We hope for poems that awaken a sense of wonder—works that hold the reader long after the final line, urging reflection and lingering like an afterimage. A fleeting detail, a raw confession, or a rhythm that echoes the pulse of life itself can transform the ordinary into something transcendent.

Above all, we seek poetry that feels alive: words that are vulnerable, deliberate, and transformative. Poems that act as both mirror and window, reflecting our innermost selves while opening onto something vast, unseen, and universal. Whether your lines whisper hope, voice anguish, or crystallize clarity, they should leave a mark that is indelible, intimate, and enduring.

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Photography, Art, and Illustration

We invite submissions of photography, hand-drawn illustrations, and original artwork that move beyond aesthetics to capture truth, emotion, and perspective. We’re drawn to visuals that tell stories, whether through the fleeting gesture of human connection, the drama of nature’s scale, or the overlooked details that reveal extraordinary meaning in the everyday. Your work should not simply depict; it should invite viewers to pause, reflect, and look closer.

When a piece is accepted, it becomes part of our growing visual archive. We curate each issue with care, ensuring every accepted work is placed where it will resonate most strongly with readers. This process means your submission may not appear immediately, but when it does, it will be showcased in a context that amplifies its impact.

Our goal is to celebrate photography and visual art as integral companions to the written word, expanding and enriching the themes we publish. Whether your work captures the stillness of a landscape, the pulse of city life, or the intimacy of human emotion, we want to see how your vision can deepen the experience of storytelling within our pages.

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Submission Guidelines

Language

For The Writers welcomes English-language submissions from writers worldwide.

Length

While we have no formal word limits, we typically avoid publishing pieces exceeding 5,000 words. For poetry submissions, you may include up to five poems in a single submission file. Please ensure they are organized in one complete document for easy review.

Formatting

Manuscripts must be submitted in Times New Roman, 12-point font, double-spaced, with page numbers in the upper right-hand corner and 1-inch margins. On the first page, include the author’s name, submission title, word count, and genre/category.

While we encourage careful proofreading before submitting, we understand that minor formatting inconsistencies or typos happen. Submissions will not be disqualified for these issues. If you notice a mistake after submitting, there’s no need to withdraw and resubmit. We believe in progress over perfection and will address any necessary editing or proofreading with you if your submission is selected to move forward.

General Submissions

We accept submissions exclusively through our website's Submissions Portal, ensuring a streamlined and efficient process for both writers and our editorial team.

Please note that we do not accept unsolicited submissions via email or USPS at this time. Our Submissions Portal is designed to provide a secure and convenient way for you to share your work with us, ensuring it reaches the right hands efficiently. Thank you for entrusting us with your creative efforts—we look forward to reading your submissions!

Simultaneous Submissions

We welcome simultaneous submissions and kindly ask that you notify us promptly if your work is accepted for publication elsewhere. Rest assured, this will not affect the likelihood of your work being published with For The Writers.

Response Time

We strive to respond to all submissions within 90 days, ensuring that each piece receives the thoughtful consideration it deserves. However, due to the high volume of submissions we receive, occasional delays may occur. Rest assured, your work is important to us, and we are committed to giving every submission the attention it warrants.

We understand that waiting can be difficult, and we deeply appreciate your patience and understanding throughout the process. If you haven’t heard from us after 90 days, feel free to check in via our Submissions Portal for an update on the status of your work. Thank you for sharing your creativity with us—we’re honored to review your submission.

Withdrawing Your Work

You may withdraw your online submission at any time. To do so, please contact us through our online Readers and Writers Platform and include the title of the work you wish to remove.

For more information regarding our withdrawal policies, we invite you to review: Your Step-by-Step Guide to Withdrawing Submissions.

Payment for Accepted Submissions

At For The Writers, we are committed to valuing the work and creativity of every contributor. We offer payment starting at $100 per accepted submission for our print publication only, with final compensation determined by page length, depth of content, and overall quality. This approach ensures that writers are fairly recognized for the time, craft, and dedication they bring to their work.

We welcome a range of submissions, from concise, striking poems to in-depth essays that spark conversation. Every piece is reviewed with care, measured against the high editorial standards of our publication. Our goal is not only to provide a respected platform for your voice but also to ensure meaningful financial acknowledgment of your contribution.

By submitting to For The Writers, you become part of a community that prioritizes and uplifts creative voices. We treat your work with the respect it deserves and look forward to showcasing your unique perspective to our readers.

Understanding Your Rights

We acquire one-time print and online publishing rights. A copy of our publishing contract is available upon request from our editorial team.

Additional Questions

Choosing a publisher for your work is a significant decision. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us—we’re here to help.