Contributor Guidelines
Have an adventure story to tell? Tell it here!
Hello Stranger is looking to publish monthly/bi-monthly guest writers, with a special focus on women in the outdoors! Have a story to tell? Let’s tell it here!
Here’s what we’re looking for:
Personal Essays: 750+ words1 on topics related to (but not limited to) the outdoors, travel, adventure from a female/femme/queer perspective.
Research Essays: 700+ words on topics related to travel, adventure, nature, and/or the outdoors.
Opinion Essays: 700+ words on topics related to travel, adventure, nature, and/or the outdoors.
How to submit/formatting your pitch:
Please email hello [at] madelinemarquadt.com with the subject line “PITCH - your name”. Pitch your essay idea in less than 250 words. If applicable, feel free to send a portfolio link or some background on previous writing projects.
Writers will be asked to provide a short 3-6 sentence bio, as well as links to social media3, their website, or any projects they would like to promote. All guest posts will be free for all readers (ie, without a paywall) and ad-free.
Right now, writers will be compensated at $120 / per essay (I make money running Hello Stranger and if you’re contributing you should too!).
Here’s what we’re not looking for:
At this time we are not publishing photo essays, but we are happy to see photos accompanying your essays.
We are not publishing articles making fun of other outdoor disciplines, people or types of people in the outdoors.
Please proofread, revise, & edit your essay before sending it to me! While I am happy to provide developmental and copy edits, I cannot accept pieces that have not been proofread & edited (ie, very rough drafts).4
At this time we are not publishing poetry.
Hello Stranger does not tolerate hateful speech.
Hello Stranger does not publish anything that revels the personal information of others; please change names when appropriate, and make sure all subjects in photos consent to photos of their likeness being used.
Hello Stranger has a diverse readership, including my grandparents. Please keep all content PG-13.
Background on Hello Stranger
I (Maddy) started the first version of Hello Stranger as a Peace Corps Blog. Since that first iteration, I’ve been lucky to have Hello Stranger reach hundreds of thousands of readers and make writing here a regular part of my life.
That would’ve never happened without the wonderful community of readers who’ve stuck with me over the years and taken the time to read my work and share it.
Now, I’d like to take the time to read your work, help younger and new talented writers find a home for their writing and share even more adventure stories.
Great idea