We welcome and love new contributions from our growing community. Here’s what you need to know:

  • Word count: No minimums but posts typically run between 300 and 900 words. Please stay under 900 words.
  • Tone: Inclusive, accessible and generally positive. Take a look around and see what we’ve previously posted.
  • Original Content: We ask that posts submitted be unique and original. We do not accept posts that have already been published or submitted elsewhere online (not even on your personal blog) or that you plan to distribute to other websites.
  • We are not interested in SEO-driven submissions: If you work for a content farm or are writing articles for the sole purpose of linking up keywords in an effort to boost SEO or to plug a product or brand name in a post, we are not interested. If your submission or bio references or promotes a business or service that is not in line with our philosophy, then we are not interested.
  • Bio and promotion: Since we do not compensate contributors for posts, we’re more than happy to include a byline and your brief bio containing links to your website, Facebook, Pinterest and Twitter accounts, which we will promote when your post goes live. Please keep your bio to just 2-3 sentences.
  • We love connecting with new contributors. While we cover large amount of ground, Awakening Times consists of just a few people. As such, sometimes we don’t have the opportunity to respond to all submissions. We can assure you, however, that we carefully read every single submission that we receive. If your post has been accepted, we will respond within 14 days. If your post has not run within two weeks of submission, we have passed.
  • Please only submit one post at a time: You’re welcome to submit again with a different post after you’ve waited 14 days.
  • By submitting to Awakening Times you acknowledge that you accept our terms, and any form of editing that might occur on behalf of the Awakening Times editorial team.
  • Click through below to find out more about our submission process, including contact information for submissions.
WHAT WE LOOK FOR IN SUBMISSIONS
  • We love posts that help our readers grow and feel inspired. While there aren’t strict guidelines about the type of posts we feature, we find that advice pieces and personal essays about a major transformation do well. Advice pieces typically provide tips to improve health, happiness, relationships, parenting, communication, and nutrition. Pieces with specific yoga sequences or fitness routines also resonate with our readers.
  • Photos: All contributors are encouraged to submit photos with their posts. These should be at least 850 pixels wide by 400 pixels tall (bigger in either direction, or both, is fine). We love photos that are shot outdoors, in natural light, and ideally with as few distractions in the background as possible.
  • What we look for in yoga, workout or fitness posts: While a photo submission with these posts is not necessary, it is highly encouraged. The photo (or photos) should be original, of you or a model completing the pose, sequence, or routine you’re writing about, and the image should be high-quality. Each photo should be labeled with the move it’s demonstrating. When submitting this kind of post, please provide specific instruction on exactly how to complete the activity. Assume your reader is fit, but new to this particular exercise. If you have a short video (no longer than 3 minutes) illustrating the activity, we are happy to include that in the post, too.
5 QUESTIONS TO ASK YOURSELF BEFORE SUBMITTING TO Awakening Times

1. Is my piece inspiring, informative, and/or educational?

Posts featured on Awakening Times are positive and informative. If your piece is snarky, or sarcastic, or not about living spiritualy, it’s probably not for us.

2. Has this already been covered on Awakening Times?

We feature a wide range of topics on our website. How can your piece add to what’s already there? Perhaps your submission can elaborate on one aspect that didn’t get a lot of attention!

3. What’s a great title?

Remember: our readers are busy. A good title has the potential to grab their attention and make them want to read your piece. If you’re stuck trying to create one, ask yourself: What problem does my article solve? How will reading this article make someone’s life better? How would I explain this to a friend?

4. Is my first paragraph succinct?

You only get one chance to make a first impression! Does your introductory sentence make the reader want to continue? Does your first paragraph tell the reader very clearly and succinctly what the article will be about?

5. Am I offering actionable tips?

A great piece will provide tips that they can implement easily. Here’s an example of a tip that’s actionable: Inhale, count to ten, then exhale as you count to ten again. Notice how clear and precise that is? The reader knows exactly what to do. Here’s an example of a murkier tip: Let go. Okay, sure. But how? (See the difference?)

6 TIPS TO WRITE A GREAT POST

Here are few pointers to keep in mind when writing for Awakening Times.

1. Write in your own voice.

A great post will sound like a real person wrote it, and it will have a distinctive voice. If you’re not sure what “voice” means in this context, think about it this way: how would you explain your idea to a good friend? Use that conversational tone when you write!

2. Keep it short.

These don’t need to be long posts! Just 700 words is great! If you’re going to offer tips, include a short introductory paragraph at the top of your post explaining why you’re offering this advice. Are you an expert on the topic? Did you struggle to understand the issue and want to share your knowledge?

3. Delete needless words.

Sometimes people use several words when just one will do the trick. We recommend taking one look at your piece to make sure you’re only including words that are absolutely necessary.

4. Use an authoritative voice.

It’s understood that Awakening Times posts are the opinion of the author. As the writer, you’re the expert on your own opinion! For this reason, you don’t need to use phrases like, “in my opinion,” or “I believe,” which detract from the idea you’re trying to convey.

5. Stick to plain English!

Many people who visit Awakening Times are new to yoga and wellness, so we prefer to use plain English when describing wellness terms. For example, if you’re writing about yoga, we like to explain poses this way: Downward Dog (Adho Mukha Svanasana). This is also helpful to keep in mind if you’re writing about ancient forms of medicine (such as traditional Chinese medicine or Ayurveda) or using other terms that might be new to those embarking on a wellness journey.

6. Show us your sources. (We can’t emphasize this enough!)

If you mention a statistic or a study in your piece, please include a link to that source. If you’re claiming that a certain food is healthy, tell us how you know. Ideally you’d link to peer-reviewed scientific papers, academic journals, and/or credible news outlets. This way, readers can follow your line of thinking and investigate further if they want to know more.

 

5 TIPS TO WRITE A GREAT PERSONAL ESSAY

We love personal stories, and we’re always on the lookout for great ones. Really great essays share these qualities:

1. They stay focused.

Keep the spotlight on one time in your life. If you’re writing about falling in love, don’t mention all your relationships in this essay; stick to one important time in one relationship. And keep it on the shorter side. Awakening Times essays are about 800 words long.

2. Include a perspective shift.

Great essays illuminate how you’ve changed in one area of your life. Usually this requires some growth in how you view the world, so let us see that transformation! If you begin at Point A, your essay should wind up at Point B.

3. Don’t leave us wondering about your motivations.

Your choices are what make you interesting, so let us into your thought process.

4. Be really specific.

It’s ironic, but the more specific you are about your life, the more your story will resonate with others. For example, it’s stronger to say “the first yoga class of my life, taught by Elena Brower” than “a class.”

5. Be, well … personal.

The more honest and vulnerable you can be about your struggles and victories, the more readers will be inspired by and empathetic to your story!

 

Please email us the following if you’re ready to submit:
  • Your full post with a working title. Please send this within the body of an email.
  • Any relevant images for your post. (Please send as separate files, not pasted within a doc). Please only send images that you own.
  • Your brief bio (less than 120 words) with links to your website, Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram and Twitter pages. Please put any relevant links in brackets like this both in your bio, and in the piece: [http://facebook.com/theawakeningtimes].
  • Please DO NOT hyperlink ever.
  • A headshot or photo of you to use for your bio.

Please send all of the above to info@awakeningtimes.com

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