As we explore monthly themes, one of the things I’m really appreciating about the process is how we’ve been able to expand our discussion of each topic to cover lots of different perspectives, instead of just one. In doing so, I feel like our conversations have become much more nuanced, and have grown to include a multitude of diverse voices. So I’m particularly excited about this submissions call, because monthly themes mean that this year we get to expand on one of APW’s most beloved features:
Pride!
It’s possible that the best thing we do on APW is Pride Week, each June. This year, we’re expanding the concept of pride to cover the whole month. We (of course) want anything and everything LGBTQ related. But we also want to expand this theme to talk about pride in a general sense: pride in our weddings, pride in our choices, pride in ourselves and who we’ve become. Or even more simply: what we’re proud of.
As you consider what to submit, here is a quick reminder of some helpful tips and tricks when submitting your story:
- First, one of the primary characteristics we look for in submissions each month is a connection to a universal idea. We’re all writing from our personal experiences here, but if you can take that experience and make it something that other people are going to relate to, then we’ve got magic. But that doesn’t mean every post needs to have a big moral or overarching theme. Sometimes the most universal stories are the simplest ones.
- Second, as always, our themes are meant to serve as a guideline for submissions, but they aren’t rigid. Do with them what you will! For example, if next month’s theme is “Pride” but you really need to talk about the struggles of being unemployed in a partnership, then we want to hear what you have to say. We’re always after diversity of experience here, so the most important thing is that you write something that is authentic to you (particularly if it’s a perspective we haven’t heard from in a while or at all).
- Also, when you’re submitting for the monthly theme, we don’t want you to feel as though you have to frame your story around the theme itself (i.e., “I’m proud of myself because…”). Heck, you don’t even have to include the name of the theme in your writing at all. Just write what you would normally write, and we’ll figure out if it’s a good fit for the month, or if maybe it would be a better fit for later in the year.
- Lastly, if you have something you just have to get out there into the world, but it doesn’t fit with the theme for the next month, please send it in anyway. Our top priority is always strong content, regardless of the topic.
And that’s it! So if you have a story to share for “Pride,” send it on in!
Cheers and happy writing,
