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Writing Guidelines

If you would like to contribute to Lessons from Strangers and, by doing so, help Environment and Mental health through art and writing, check the guidelines below:

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  • Submissions for Issue 02 are open until April 20, 2024.

  • Contributors must ensure they follow the theme in their submissions. The theme for Issue 02 is Environment and Mental Health.

  • We only accept unpublished original work from our contributors. Please do not send us your previously published work or work for which you do not own the rights. 

  • All submissions must be emailed to hi@LetterstoStrangers.org with Subject Line – “Submission_Category”, e.g. “Submission_Essay”. 

  • Kindly follow the category-specific guidelines (mentioned below). 

  • Do send a small bio (50 – 100 words) with your submission, copied in the body of the mail. You can also send us the links to your social media profiles, as we are eager to promote our contributors and their work!

  • We accept simultaneous submissions but do let us know if your work gets published elsewhere. You can simply write to hi@LetterstoStrangers.org and withdraw your submission. 

  • We try our best to reply within one to two weeks but we always do.

CATEGORY-SPECIFIC GUIDELINES:

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  Short Fiction and Creative Nonfiction  ​

  • Word Limit: 2000 to 3000 words (not including title, footnotes, etc.)

  • Times New Roman, 12 font size and Double spaced

  • Kindly send in your submission as a Word document. 

  • Flash fiction (500 - 700 words)  is also welcome!

  Essays, Articles, and Opinion Pieces  

  • Word Limit: 1500 to 2000 words (not including title, footnotes, references, etc.)

  • Times New Roman, 12 font size and Double spaced

  • Kindly send in your submission as a Word document.​

  Visual Art  ​

  • We accept visual art of all kinds - sketches, paintings, mixed media, etc.

  • Send us up to 5 to 10 pieces. If it’s an art series, mention the same in the body of the mail. 

  • Do mention: Title of your work, Dimensions, Medium, and Date of each piece.

  • Provide an up-to-200-word artist’s statement. If any other art/artist inspired your work, kindly mention the same in your statement. 

  • We may ask for high-resolution images of your work if it is selected as well as ask for more information. 

  Book/Movie Reviews  

  • Word Limit: 1000 to 1500 words (not including title, footnotes, etc.)

  • Times New Roman, 12 font size and Double spaced

  • Kindly send in your submission as a Word document. 

  • We accept reviews on books/movies not older than 12 months but exceptions can be made. 

  • We love to read reviews that engage the readers and follow a unique style. 

Lessons from Strangers appreciates and welcomes experimental, interdisciplinary, and unconventional mediums of expression. If you are unable to place your piece into any of the above categories, do submit it to us. We are eager to engage with you and your work. 

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