artists and writer submissions

Paola Lane Submissions FAQ

Paola Lane Magazine is accepting submissions! We are excited to discover the talents and creativity of our readers. Whether you are young or in your sunset years, there’s something inside that yearns to be expressed. At Paola Lane, we want to give you a platform to share your thoughts and artistry with others. We are always looking for images, art, & stories to put in our magazine that relate to the theme of a specific issue; to enjoy & share many forms of artistry, learn lessons that were passed down from families, and cry or laugh as we share our life journey.

Have you always wanted to try something but were too scared? So was I. But here’s the best advice I can give: start with one little idea, one little step – and you never know where it will go. So take a courageous step forward because someone out there needs what you have to offer.

This publication relies on the generous contributions of creatives, like you.

Paola Lane Magazine is AD-FREE and for that reason, the magazine is reliant on content donations by writers and artists. If your submission is chosen, you will receive either a digital or print version of the magazine (based on what is submitted), along with full credit to your work, including any links to websites or social accounts that you wish to include. Occasionally, we have donations to our Creative Fund that we distribute. See below for more information.

IMPORTANT! As we grow we are receiving more submissions, which is wonderful! However, we need all our submissions to come through the same funnel. That is why from now on, we will ONLY consider submissions sent to: submissions@paolalane.com. Content sent to any other email will NOT be considered, nor will we reply to the email. Thank you for understanding and helping our design process go smoothly.

Below you’ll find answers to common questions and instructions for submitting your work. First, I’ve created a short video for potential guest contributors:

Yes! We feature different writers on the blog and we are always looking for submissions to showcase in the magazine. Whether it is something you write or create, or you know of a person or business you think we should feature, we welcome your submissions! We have an executive team that reviews submissions. Once reviewed, we’ll let you know via email if you’ve been selected to be featured in the blog or magazine. Please allow 1-4 weeks for the review process.

Our magazine issues are built around themes. As a result, what we are looking for is usually very specific for each issue. That being said, if you have a great idea and would love a chance to be featured in the magazine, send your idea to us anyway because you never know how it might fit in with what we are doing. Here are the upcoming themes we have planned and the submission deadlines (please note that we will not be able to use your content for a specific issue if it arrives after the deadline). You will be notified if we choose to use your submissions:

  • OCTOBER 2023: The theme is COMMUNITY (actual title may change). Submission deadline is OCTOBER 1, 2023
  • JANUARY 2024: Rest / Silence / The In-between (actual title TBD)
  • APRIL 2024: The Place of Zero (please email me, Laura, directly if this title intrigues you. editor@paolalane.com )
  • JULY 2024: TBD

We are ALWAYS looking for photography, poetry, art, and creative ideas.

Anyone can submit content and there are NO AGE RESTRICTIONS! Also, we are eager to see what creativity there is out there. Whether it’s a video, piece of art, poetry, fiction, non-fiction, or an opinion piece…we want to see what is burning in your heart. Please keep in mind that we reserve the right to decline any submission for any reason and without explanation. As we grow, we may develop different guidelines for submissions so check back often. Please keep your submissions suitable for young readers as well, unless we send out a request for something specific. We especially look for timeless stories that inspire or cause us to ponder.

I’ve created a short video that explains more of what I’m looking for in content submissions. You can view it here: https://youtu.be/sGQdqe6lm7A

Please send an email with your story, a high-resolution digital copy of art, video, or idea to submissions@paolalane.com. This is the ONLY email for submissions!

Include your name, phone number, and how you would like your work credited, including any website or social media links. If you are approved, we will get back to you and request an 800 x 800px photo of a closeup of your face. It can be a selfie. Please make sure it is clear and not fuzzy or grainy (we want you to look your best!). Ideally, we would like a couple of choices to select from. Also, we will ask for a 2-3 sentence bio.

At this time, we do not. We are an AD-FREE magazine and rely on the contributions of writers & artists to help support the magazine. If your stand-alone article, poetry, or art submission is selected for an issue, you will receive a free contributor copy of the magazine.

(UPDATE 9/20/23: Due to significant price increases and the fact I am already operating at a loss, I’m unable to give out free print copies at this time. However, contributors will receive a small discount on a print copy and free shipping. Thank you for understanding. With an increase in readership, I’ll be able to offer free contributor copies again in the near future.)

We do have a Creative Fund that can potentially allow monetary compensation for some submissions. This is only possible if donations or sponsorships are received through the fund. Any distribution is not guaranteed whatsoever. Monies donated to the Creative Fund are distributed 100% to the contributors (after merchant fees) and are distributed at the sole discretion of the executive team. We rarely receive donations, however, if there are funds available we will distribute them.

Nope. Nada.

We are looking for poetry, sonnets, short stories, tips, lists, and whatever else you can dream of. When submitting an article, there are a few guidelines to follow:

  1. Keep word count to 750 or less
  2. Focus on telling a story in the first person, or if you are relaying someone else’s story, write as it was told to you. We want our articles to be very personable and relatable. “Showing” versus “telling” tone of voice.
  3. If you have photos to go with your article/story, please submit them WITH the article. We love to use your personal images if possible, but we do not guarantee that we can/will.
  4. Our target reading audience typically consists of those outside of any church. If you want to share something from an encounter you had with God or something you personally learned from scripture, we welcome that but ask that you remember the audience so that you avoid church lingo or the temptation to move into preaching/teaching. We look for stories that come from personal experiences. Speak from your heart.

Topics must fit within the announced theme for any particular issue (see above).

This is really early in our development so I’m not sure. As we grow, we’ll learn where to place our boundary lines but for now, we’ll consider most anything as long as it supports the chosen theme for any particular issue. We welcome and want various points of view so we will look at each submission individually to determine if it is a good fit for our audience at that time and/or the Theme of the magazine issue.

Sure!

When submitting photos or digital copies of your art, please make sure they are of a high resolution. Images should be a minimum of 2500 pixels wide at 300 dpi. For photos (or art) to be used in a double-page spread (two-pages), they need to be around 5100 x 3300px @ 300dpi

It is preferable to have professionally scanned artwork but at least provide a crisp digital image of your art. Use the guidelines above for digital size reference.

ABSOLUTELY!!! We will include a reference to you, as the creator, and add links to your website or social media as appropriate.

Yes! If you are selected, we will showcase your thoughts, photos, art, songs – whatever you submit. Once approved, we will ask you to sign a release form/permission to use your work that details how & where your work will be used or promoted. We do not claim rights to your work. By submitting your work, you are giving us, Paola Lane Magazine (aka Living Free Enterprises, LLC), the right to use your content on our website, in the magazine, social media, and in advertising our content. We will always give credit to the artist and writer. PLEASE DO NOT SEND ORIGINAL WORKS OF ART. WE CAN NOT GUARANTEE IT WILL BE RETURNED TO YOU AND/OR IN WHAT CONDITION.

*Official Disclaimer: Regarding submissions, please send digital copies of your artwork, writing, videos, etc. All submissions become the property of Living Free Enterprises, LLC. WE WILL NOT ACCEPT/RETURN ORIGINAL ARTWORK. PLEASE DO NOT SEND IT! By submitting anything, you are giving Living Free Enterprises, LLC dba Paola Lane / Paola Lane Magazine, the right to use your submission on our website and social media and we reserve the right to edit written content for length or clarity. We do not guarantee compensation for any submission but will credit your work and link to your website and/or social media.

No. We will not sell anyone’s submissions as a stand-alone item or on a product. The authorization forms we use will define how and where we use your submitted work.

If your submission is accepted to be featured in the magazine, you understand that we do sell the magazine for profit.

At Paola Lane Magazine, we rely on the wonderful submissions of writers and artists, plus reader subscriptions. We have started a Creatives Fund to help us compensate those who submit their work, but if there is no money in the fund, there is no monetary compensation (see above).

Any income from the sale of a digital or print magazine is used toward the costs of publishing & printing. Additionally, to help cover admin costs we are Amazon Associate seller and we have a page of product recommendations. (I appreciate your support when you use these links!)

During these early days of our magazine, we are not generating a profit. Business expenses are paid out of the personal pocket of our founder and editor. If you are interested in supporting our work, we are very grateful for your gifts!

Ready to submit your ideas? Or have Questions?

SUBMIT NOW