So excited to see this call in my inbox this morning! Quick question I didn't find an answer to in the email: Can we submit more than one piece? I was thinking mostly in terms of one for the Object-ives subsection and one for the general essays. Thank you!!
Bloody brilliant. And, honestly, not a shock. I’ve been banging on about this for months, predicting the anti‑AI backlash would hit like a ton of bricks. Editors everywhere are finally waking up, salivating for raw, messy human stories—ones with a dash of heart, a sprinkle of soul, and, yes, even the occasional typo to prove we’re not all bots cranking out drivel.
Look, I get it: AI can cough up something slick and error‑free in seconds. But where’s the pulse? As a writer who’s poured my guts into essays about China, identity, and all the queer chaos in between, I say bring on the humanity. The flaws are what make it sing.
And don’t hold it against me that I’m actually a cracking speller—years of deadline panic will do that. But if a rogue comma slips through? That’s just proof I’m human. LOL.
Writers, dust off those keyboards and submit. This—this—is our moment.
I've been waiting for this open call for a long time. Now to carefully consider which essay I want to write! Thanks for this opportunity, I can't wait to get started!
Reading this felt like a deep breath. Thank you for naming it so clearly — the raw and human stuff, not the glossy performance. Honestly, that alone gives me a bit of hope.
I’m not sure it’s the right place for my own work right now, but I can already think of people who’d fit here beautifully. Just wanted to say thanks for holding space for stories that feel risky, tender, complicated — in other words, actually human. Because we all love a real story that we don’t just read but feel, don’t we?
We're so glad our call for submissions resonated with you, Birgit, and that readers still want to read about the many ups and downs of real life. Thanks for joining us.
Thanks for this 'writing prompt'. No, AI can not write the grit I've got to share. Glad you're as disgusted as I am about even the thought - and what else AI shouldn't be doing that humans are not paying attention.
Quick question. I want to submit a piece for Object-ives, but the possession I am writing about is one I once owned, no longer have, and regret not having. So no photo! But I could illustrate it, or find a suitable image.
A lot of the essays I see it seems that people don't get the ‘secret’ part.
Like, I'm scared to write mine in a way. But isn't that the gritty sort of thing you originally intended? Seems some people just like long-form writing about whatever, but not something painful, deep, or scary. Something that might get you in trouble if your partner found out. Lucky for me, he doesn't read most of what I write.
I relate to trying to keep hope alive in believing non-AI writers will win in the end, but it sure is challenging. I really respect your call in stating that only original, human-created pieces will be accepted.
Yes. We accept simultaneous submissions as long as you let us know in a cover letter and if your essay is accepted for publication, that it’s withdrawn from consideration elsewhere.
Really looking forward to reading this when it’s published! I have an unpublished flash personal essay (around 600 words) but it matches the topics for the longer essays, and isn’t about a possession, so I will hold off submitting for now … 🥲
I have an idea for an Object-ive piece but the object in question has been lost. I don't know if I have a photo of it, although I can certainly look. Could I create a drawing of it if I can't find an actual photo?
Hi there! I see the update about accepting some subjects through November, but I'm not sure which specifically are closed and which you will still accept. Thanks for any guidance.
So excited to see this call in my inbox this morning! Quick question I didn't find an answer to in the email: Can we submit more than one piece? I was thinking mostly in terms of one for the Object-ives subsection and one for the general essays. Thank you!!
Hi Monica - you can submit one essay for Object-ives and one general essay for this round, in separate emails.
Yeah, I have been wondering the same thing!
Adam, you can submit one essay for Object-ives and one general essay for this round, in separate emails.
Bloody brilliant. And, honestly, not a shock. I’ve been banging on about this for months, predicting the anti‑AI backlash would hit like a ton of bricks. Editors everywhere are finally waking up, salivating for raw, messy human stories—ones with a dash of heart, a sprinkle of soul, and, yes, even the occasional typo to prove we’re not all bots cranking out drivel.
Look, I get it: AI can cough up something slick and error‑free in seconds. But where’s the pulse? As a writer who’s poured my guts into essays about China, identity, and all the queer chaos in between, I say bring on the humanity. The flaws are what make it sing.
And don’t hold it against me that I’m actually a cracking speller—years of deadline panic will do that. But if a rogue comma slips through? That’s just proof I’m human. LOL.
Writers, dust off those keyboards and submit. This—this—is our moment.
I've been waiting for this open call for a long time. Now to carefully consider which essay I want to write! Thanks for this opportunity, I can't wait to get started!
Reading this felt like a deep breath. Thank you for naming it so clearly — the raw and human stuff, not the glossy performance. Honestly, that alone gives me a bit of hope.
I’m not sure it’s the right place for my own work right now, but I can already think of people who’d fit here beautifully. Just wanted to say thanks for holding space for stories that feel risky, tender, complicated — in other words, actually human. Because we all love a real story that we don’t just read but feel, don’t we?
We're so glad our call for submissions resonated with you, Birgit, and that readers still want to read about the many ups and downs of real life. Thanks for joining us.
Thanks for this 'writing prompt'. No, AI can not write the grit I've got to share. Glad you're as disgusted as I am about even the thought - and what else AI shouldn't be doing that humans are not paying attention.
Quick question. I want to submit a piece for Object-ives, but the possession I am writing about is one I once owned, no longer have, and regret not having. So no photo! But I could illustrate it, or find a suitable image.
For reference, it's an object from the 80s that I last played in the nineties.
Thanks for asking. An illustration by you would be okay to go with the essay.
Thanks. I've submitted the piece so I'll await a response before I create anything.
Thank you for these guidelines--very helpful! I submitted something, assuming the call hasn't been closed yet.
A lot of the essays I see it seems that people don't get the ‘secret’ part.
Like, I'm scared to write mine in a way. But isn't that the gritty sort of thing you originally intended? Seems some people just like long-form writing about whatever, but not something painful, deep, or scary. Something that might get you in trouble if your partner found out. Lucky for me, he doesn't read most of what I write.
Can't wait to submit something. I've been making my way through these linked articles and thank you- they're so great.
Appreciate you doing this:) Is it acceptable to submit if it’s exclusively been posted on Substack?
We are only open to essays that haven't been published anywhere else, including Substack.
I relate to trying to keep hope alive in believing non-AI writers will win in the end, but it sure is challenging. I really respect your call in stating that only original, human-created pieces will be accepted.
Are simultaneous submissions accepted?
Yes. We accept simultaneous submissions as long as you let us know in a cover letter and if your essay is accepted for publication, that it’s withdrawn from consideration elsewhere.
Really looking forward to reading this when it’s published! I have an unpublished flash personal essay (around 600 words) but it matches the topics for the longer essays, and isn’t about a possession, so I will hold off submitting for now … 🥲
I have an idea for an Object-ive piece but the object in question has been lost. I don't know if I have a photo of it, although I can certainly look. Could I create a drawing of it if I can't find an actual photo?
Hi Janine, yes, a drawing by you would be ok. Thanks for asking.
Great! I am not much of an artist, but I will do my best. Thank you!
Hi there! I see the update about accepting some subjects through November, but I'm not sure which specifically are closed and which you will still accept. Thanks for any guidance.
Just submitted a piece for your Object-ives column! 🤞