What we publish
Long-form first-person essays (1,500–3,500 words). Interviews (Q&A or narrative). Field reports from retreats, classes, ceremonies, gatherings. Conversations and dialogues (two contributors in conversation). Photo essays. Anonymous lived-experience pieces, lightly edited. We do not publish lists, tactics, "3 steps to," coaching how-tos, or productivity content. We do not publish anything generated by AI.
What we pay
- Essays (1,500–3,500 words): USD 200–400
- Interviews: USD 250–500 depending on subject and prep
- Field reports: USD 300–500, plus reasonable travel expenses
- Photo essays: USD 500–1,200 depending on scope
- Anonymous submissions: honorarium of USD 50–150 on publication
We pay on acceptance, not on publication. Standard contributor agreement (linked in Terms) grants Voice first publication rights and a six-month exclusive; you keep all other rights.
What we want
Specificity. A pitch with a real shape. Something only you could write because of who you are and what you've lived. Pieces with weather. Pieces that argue something the reader didn't already half-believe.
The best pitches we get fit in 300 words and contain a sentence we couldn't stop thinking about.
What we don't want
- "What divine femininity really is" — too generic. Pitch us the version only you can write.
- "My healing journey" as the entire premise. Healing is a process; we want stories with shape, not status reports.
- Pitches that begin "In today's fast-paced world…"
- Anything that references reading The Body Keeps the Score as if we haven't.
How to pitch
Use the submission form for completed pieces or full pitches. For shorter pitches, email pitches@voice.tygrauniverse.com with:
- The working title
- A three-paragraph pitch with the actual argument or arc
- One paragraph on who you are and why this piece, by you, now
- Two links to previously published work, if any
We respond within two weeks. If two weeks pass and you haven't heard, please follow up — it means the message got lost, not that we passed.
Anonymous and pseudonymous submissions
Welcome and frequently published. The submission form has a dedicated track for "anonymous lived experience" pieces. Editor confidentiality applies — only the editor-in-chief sees real names on those pieces, and contributor agreements protect identity.
About the editorial process
We edit. Sometimes lightly. Sometimes through three rounds. Every piece is line-edited by a human editor with notes you'll see and discuss. We don't publish without your sign-off on the final draft. We hold ourselves to the same standard.