Guidelines for Story Content Submission

Your life event.  Your story should be original, content clear, respectful, and accessible to all readers.
 

Make it relatable.  Because your story is a vehicle for a broader message about relationships, it should be compelling and honest but also offer a takeaway for the reader.
 

Tone.  Avoid a tone that is overly negative or shameful to specific people. Even when discussing challenges, your content should be encouraging or focused on growth.
 

Focal point or the core message. The “introduction, body, conclusion” format is effective, but your writing should flow naturally to build your story. End on a strong, compelling note that ties your story together.
 

Follow the target blog’s requirements. Many blogs have specific style or content guidelines that may require a more expert or research-based approach, even for personal stories. 

Legal And Privacy Guidelines

Change identifying details. To avoid invasion of privacy or potential defamation issues, change key identifying information, such as names, specific locations, or characteristics of the people involved. It is good practice to include a disclaimer that the story is a fictionalized account inspired by real events.

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Get permission. If you decide to mention someone by name or include a recognizable detail, get their explicit permission first. This is the safest way to prevent potential legal disputes, even in cases where a lawsuit may not be successful.

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Consider the other person’s perspective. Writing about a shared experience from a highly personal point of view can be damaging to the other person, even if you don’t intend to harm them. Remember that they are a real person who may be hurt by your portrayal of events.

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Avoid public shaming. Using a blog post to shame or exact revenge on an individual is not only poor form but can also lead to legal trouble. Submissions that appear to be a personal attack will be rejected.

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Formatting and submission guidelines

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Formatting.  Format and word count. For readability and accessibility purposes, we will only consider submissions that are in word or PDF format

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Adhere to word count. Word count should be 500 to 750 words, making it easier for editors to review and publish your work.

Submit a complete, clean draft. Send a story that has been proofread for spelling and grammar errors.  Have a friend or editor review it before you submit.

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Use subheadings. Break up your post with subheadings to improve readability. They help your reader navigate your story and show that you have a clear structure in mind.

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Include a bio and links. Provide a short author biography (often 100 words or less), a professional headshot, and any relevant social media handles or links. This allows the blog to give you proper credit and allows readers to connect with you.

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Follow the submission process.  Press the home page “submit your story tab”, fill out the form on the page; upload your Microsoft Word document, or provide a link to a Google Doc. Follow all instructions carefully; press the submit tab.