Submission Guidelines
In the Spirit of Boudica is a collection of true accounts from survivors of abuse—women and men—seeking safety, justice, understanding, and peace. Sharing your story can raise awareness, spark change, and offer validation, hope, and empowerment to you and to others.
HOW TO SHARE YOUR STORY
Telling your story can be a meaningful part of healing. Because it may touch painful memories, give yourself permission to take restorative breaks. You may also ask a trusted person—or a professional experienced in narrative therapy—to help you shape your account.
Please keep in mind:
Eligibility: You must be 18 or older to submit. Those who have “aged out” of they system (18+) are welcome.
Length: Up to 5,000 words as a maximum length for print consideration. If your story is a saga (like most) you may consider submitting multiple short submissions or tell just one part of your story.
Clarity & compassion: Write in a clear, compelling way that invites reader empathy and conveys the emotional complexity of your experience. Please make sure your writing is revised well. We have a limited team of editors and a well edited story can mean the difference of your story being selected over stories that need lots of revision.
Growth: Include how you have changed, healed, or found strength. If you were successful in keeping you or your kids safe, what or whom do you owe success to?
Voice: Speak your truth in your own words. Please avoid profanity.
NO AI: This has to be written by you or a living support person telling your story and not through artificial intelligence.
Privacy & Boundaries
Protect identities. Do not include identifying details about yourself, children, people who harmed you, officials, or others. Use placeholders such as “Mr. X” "Ms. G" or “Judge S.”
Stay non-partisan. While public-policy issues may appear in your story, please do not advocate for a specific policy, agenda, or political party.
WHAT HAPPENS AFTER YOU SUBMIT
We will do our best to notify you within 90 days if your story is selected for print.
We do not send rejection letters and cannot guarantee publication.
If selected, you’ll be asked to sign a Standard Permission Release Agreement.
Note on compensation: This anthology exists to raise awareness and help end abuse. Submissions are considered a donation; no royalties or payment are implied or guaranteed. A portion of proceeds will be directed to vetted nonprofits that focus on alleviating the suffering of children and/or animals.
RESPONSIBILITY & SAFETY
Your responsibility: You are solely responsible for the content you submit, including any safety, privacy, and legal considerations. Submission indicates your acceptance of this responsibility.
Permanence: Once published, a story cannot be unpublished. Please write thoughtfully and respectfully.
Anonymity: You may publish anonymously, but you will still sign the Standard Permission Release Agreement with your legal name.
HOW TO SUBMIT
Email your story to: spiritboudica@gmail.com