Write for us.

ONE MISSION. MANY VOICES.

Please carefully read all of the details below BEFORE submitting to us. You must follow these guidelines for publication consideration. THANK YOU!

Want to join The Way Back to Ourselves? Do you want to impact people’s lives for the better and help us beautify the Kingdom? We’d love to have you!

Please be sure whatever you submit is in the spirit of our mission. You can read about our humble beginnings and mission statement on the “About” page before submitting.

FOR THE BLOG WEEKLY FEATURES

Tip: Read the blog before you submit to get a feel for what we like to publish and the quality of writing we produce.

Please submit your WORD document in an attachment to thewayback2ourselves@gmail.com with this format in the subject line: BLOG PROPOSAL/Theme/Title.

FOR THE SEMI-ANNUAL LITERARY JOURNAL

*We NOMINATE select entries for the Pushcart Prize.*

Please ONLY submit in the submission window. Submit your WORD document in an attachment to editor.twbto@gmail.com with this format in the subject line: SUBMISSION/Genre/Title.

IMPORTANT NOTE: In the subject line, you will fill in Genre with “poetry,” “essay,” “photography,” etc. You will fill in Title with the name of your work. If you are submitting multiples, use a phrase like “3 Poems” instead and then name the poems inside of your email.

FALL 2024 COLLECTION: “THE PEACE OF WILD THINGS”

SUBMISSIONS OPEN September 1-October 1, 2024

PUBLICATION DATE: November 2024

LITERARY JOURNAL SUBMISSION DETAILS:

Please submit all genres one at a time with the exception of poetry and photography. You may submit up to three poems or photographs. Each poem will be on a separate page inside ONE Word document. Photographs will be attached.

You may submit simultaneously, but please do not submit previously published work (Substack, blogs, and social media count as published). Please be sure to tell us if your work is a simultaneous submission.

At this time, we cannot pay you for your work, but we will celebrate you and support you in our shared journeys. Please edit ALL writing very carefully. Writing that is not tightly written and edited will most likely be denied due to the large number of submissions we receive. Writing that is not in the spirit, values, or mission of The Way Back to Ourselves will not be accepted.

NEW: Masterful writing comes in all lengths and forms; however, due to the nature of this literary journal, essays and stories that go much longer than 1,500 words verge on something that is too long for us at this time.

Author Photo and Bio Request: Please include a high-quality headshot to be paired with your author’s bio (100 words or less) and active socials/websites in the event you are published.

Call for Fine Art: Along with poetry, short stories, and essays, the literary journal is now accepting high-quality original art: paintings, photography, illustrations, drawing, sculptor, etc. All art pieces must be in high-resolution .png or .jpeg/.jpg and accompanied by a written response that shares insights or themes on the work.

STANCE ON AI GENERATED WORK: We do NOT publish any work created or curated by artificial intelligence or plagiarism of any kind. We are all created to create by a living and loving God, and we take Imago Dei seriously. The Way Back to Ourselves is only interested in celebrating what God’s image bearers create.

We are open for submissions on the following topics:

• Faith Stories: We are interested in creative nonfiction, articles, etc. that explore your journey or another’s through the Christian faith. We welcome those in all seasons of their faith journey—the highs and the lows. Be it the “dark night of the soul” Mother Teresa famously wrote about, a Job-like experience, or a mountain top moment where you saw miracles manifest, they are all welcome as long as they seek to comfort and/or inspire our community toward a more whole life.

• Creative Writing: Poems and short stories, etc. that seek to explore the human condition as both flesh and soul are of particular interest. Again, creative pieces should seek to add value to our community through inspiration, revelation, or beauty. Themes of Christianity can be prevalent or less obvious, as long as the piece achieves a feeling of awe or beauty. The sacred is ever-present.

• Fine Art: Along with poetry, short stories, and essays, the literary journal is now accepting high-quality original art: paintings, photography, illustrations, drawing, sculptor, etc. All art pieces must be in high-resolution .png or .jpeg/.jpg and accompanied by a written response that shares insights or themes on the work.

• Lifestyle & Education: Are you a proven leader or authority in your field? Can your specialized knowledge or experience help parents, leaders, teachers, and others in our community live and lead lives of WHOLENESS? If your brand, message, or knowledgebase aligns with our mission, please submit or send us your pitch.

• Book and Movie Reviews: Have you read a book or watched a movie that was life-affirming? Did it inspire you toward change? Or enhance your life or spiritual growth in some way? Please submit or send us a pitch.

• Interviews: Are you someone making change in the world for the better? Does your mission align with ours? If so, you might be a great fit for an interview. Or are you looking to interview a change-maker for us? The same applies. Please send us a pitch. We are interested in leaders, teachers, learners, servers, pastors, writers, artists, and thought leaders. We are also interested in people who have overcome tragedy and who have powerful testimonies.