Welcome to the submission page for WriteGirl teens and alums!

NOTE: Only WriteGirl members (mentees & alums) will be considered for publication. Please note that ALL submissions will be considered for:

• Publication in Lines & Breaks
• Publication on the WriteGirl Blog
• Social media posts and campaigns from WriteGirl or our partners
• WriteGirl newsletter
• Inclusion at WriteGirl or partner events

We will contact you and your parent/guardian (if you're under 18) if we plan to publish your writing!

WHAT TO SUBMIT:

• All genres of writing are accepted including poetry, fiction, lyrics, creative nonfiction, scenes, etc.
• WriteGirl generally does not publish rhyming poetry. Our focus is on free verse and other poetry forms in which your unique voice is unconstrained.
• Original, unpublished pieces: All writing must be your own, and not previously published anywhere. We're especially interested in writing that was inspired by a WriteGirl workshop or mentoring session.

Here are a few tips to keep in mind:

• Invoke as many senses as possible! Include images, sounds, scents, tastes and textures!
• Be specific! Try to stay away from vague phrases especially when describing emotions like “sad,” “happy” or “angry.” Instead, describe it as an experience or action – i.e., “fury built up in my chest” or “joy spread inside me like…" In visual descriptions, be sure to paint us a whole picture! If you mention a loved one, what color is their hair/skin/eyes? What does their scent remind you of? Feel free to use metaphors, alliteration, and other literary devices! The more specific you can be with your language, the more universal your experience becomes!
• Avoid clichés! Some examples of clichés that we have all heard many times include: “a fish out of water,” “too little too late,” “never say never.”
   Use your creativity to create new phrases!

EDITING YOUR SUBMISSION:

• Edit each piece before submitting. Consider length, grammar, spelling, content and word choice, as well as context – particularly if it’s an excerpt from a longer piece.
• If you have a weekly mentor, please ask for their help with this!
• Still stuck? Try out some of these editing activities and experiments to take your writing to the next level and make it shine!
• Include a title that you think best represents your piece. Remember all submitted works must have a title.

READY TO SUBMIT?

• Submit each piece as a separate submission on Submittable. Sign up for an account if you don’t already have one. Think of it like our usual Google Forms, just a little more official! Having a Submittable account will also make it easier for you to submit work to places other than WriteGirl later, such as to literary magazines and writing contests! 
• Once you’re set up, you can simply fill out a short form with your name and address, attach your submission and click “Submit.” Let the WriteGirl office know if you are having any trouble signing up or submitting your work.

PLEASE NOTE: At this time, we are not offering payment for selected pieces. However, many pieces from “Lines & Breaks” are promoted across WriteGirl’s social media channels.

QUESTIONS?

Call the WriteGirl office at 213-253-2655 or email Katie Geyer at membership@writegirl.org if you have any questions.

THANK YOU! We look forward to reading your work!