Word Counts:

• Poems must be no longer than 40 lines

• Short stories must be 500-1500 words

• Memoirs must be no longer than 750-1500 words

• While these are our general targets, we prioritize powerful storytelling above all else. We will still consider exceptional pieces that lean slightly outside these limits. 

Formatting Guidelines:

Please ensure your document meets the following formatting standards before submitting:

• File Type: Submit prose and poetry as a Microsoft Word document (.doc or .docx).

• Font: Use a clean, standard 12-point font (such as Times New Roman or Calibri) in black.

• Prose Spacing: Double-space all short stories, memoirs, and critical essays.

• Poetry Spacing: Single-space your poems, using page breaks to separate distinct pieces.

• Title: Please name your .doc/.docx "FirstName_LastName_Genre"

  • i.e. "John_Doe_Poetry"

• Submit in the allocated Google Form for Issue Submissions

Community Guidelines:

To protect the privacy of others, your work must contain absolutely no personally identifying details aside from your own name. Please use pseudonyms or generic terms if needed to mask:

• Individuals: Names of family, friends, or medical professionals involved in your story.

• Locations: Names of specific hospitals, clinics, or medical facilities.

• Institutions: The names or addresses of your workplace or school.

• Personal Data: Specific home addresses or highly specific geographical markers.

• No Medical Advice: We are a literary platform, not a clinical resource. Submissions must focus strictly on the human and emotional narrative. Do not include prescriptive medical advice, treatment recommendations, or diagnostic claims.

• No Misinformation or Ideological Agendas: We welcome diverse, honest stories about your personal struggles with illness and the healthcare system. However, we do not provide a platform for personal or political viewpoints that run counter to public health, safety, and established scientific consensus (such as anti-vaccine rhetoric or medical pseudoscience).

• No Profanity or Inappropriate Content: Please keep the language suitable for a broad literary audience. We do not accept gratuitous profanity, vulgarity, or content that promotes hate, discrimination, or derogatory viewpoints.

We reserve the right to reject any submission that violates these community standards.