Hello Stranger Guest Post Submission Guidelines!
Interested in guest writing for Hello Stranger? You're in the right place!
Hello Stranger is looking to publish monthly/bi-monthly guest writers! 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, and/or adventure! Please submit finished pieces for review only; I cannot currently accept essays in this genre without reading the essay itself.
Research Essays: 700+ words on topics related to travel, adventure, nature, and/or the outdoors. Feel free to send a topic pitch & writing sample before researching and writing an essay.
Opinion Essays: 700+ words on topics related to travel, adventure, nature, and/or the outdoors. Feel free to send a topic pitch & writing sample before researching and writing an essay.
Experimental or hybrid forms!
We’re happy to hear from writers of all backgrounds experience levels! Whether you have your own blog, have several publications, or this is your first ever writing project we would love to hear from you.
Feel free to include your own photos, but it’s not required.
Essays that have not been previously published are perfered. If your submission has been previously published including on personal blogs, please make this clear when submitting.
Essays chosen for publication may be subject to developmental2 and copyedits, but you will always get final say on edits. 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 $50 / per essay (I make a little money off this blog and if you’re guest writing you should too!).
Here’s what we’re not looking for:
We are not publishing listicles, guides to destinations, or articles designed to rank for SEO. We are interested in storytelling centering around the ways the outdoors & travel connects us all and makes us feel a little more human.
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 (particularly pieces criticizing full time adventures. I frankly just don’t care to see or read it).
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.
How to submit to be a guest writer on Hello Stranger
Email hello [at] madelinemarquardt.com with the subject Guest Writer // your name with your submission or pitch, and 2-3 sentences summarizing your piece. Please attach your submission as a separate file.
Submissions are on a rolling basis, and 1-2 guest posts will be published a month. Please allow 2-3 weeks for me to get back to you about publication.
Why guest writers?
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 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 and share it with this incredible community.
there is no word limit! that being said, it will take me longer to circle back to you if your essay is longer than 5,000 words. If your essay is longer than 5,000 words, it will likely either be edited down to 2,000-3,000 words or split into several parts. If your essay is split into parts published as separate posts you will be compensated per publication.
What are developmental edits? Developmental edits are edits beyond grammar and sentence level! I may ask you to include more detail, to rewrite paragraphs or sections of your essay, or to consider highlighting themes in a different way!
not required; if you have private social medias or do not wish to share any personal information please provide a pseudonym.
the most common reason I pass on a piece is lack of initial editing; this includes excess typos, excessive grammar errors, or sentences that simply don’t make sense. Please read through your essay at least twice and make edits before sending it to me! I absolutely encourage new writers to send me their work, but editors can tell when someone’s work has simply been written and sent over without any proofreading or editing!