SUBMISSIONS

Open October 8th through December 1st, 2025

WHAT TO SEND

Sharp, personal narratives with an evocative spin on existential-leaning themes. Stories about the horror and the hilarity of being in the world. The profound and the absurd; the texture, the nuance; a particular way of seeing. How we change, or don’t change; how the world changes, or fails to. How people try. Moments of discovery conflict with the old narrative and challenge a long-held belief. Little things are big. Not everything aligns. Nothing resolves neatly. Make meaning out of chaos, but leave us wondering what happens after it ends.

HOW TO SEND IT

Nonfiction essay: ~1500 words
Nonfiction micro essay: 500 - 800 words
Send a Word or Google Docs attachment.
Include the word count.
Keep in mind, titles do not need to include “How I Learned…”.
In your email, add (1) a brief summary — just 1 to 3 sentences; and (2) a third-person bio.
Indicate if this is a simultaneous submission and follow up immediately if it gets accepted somewhere else.
If you want to add how you learned about HOW I LEARNED, please do.
Email subject line: “Submission - How I Learned.”
Send to: howilearned@gmail.com
Note: The decision to change names, places, or other identifying characteristics (or not) is the responsibility of the author upon submittal.

RESPONSE TIME

You’ll usually get a response in 2 to 4 weeks. Please wait at least 4 weeks before following up. Resend the original email and add “Follow Up” to the subject line.

PAYMENT

The publication is new and it’s 100% supported by readers. As a writer myself, I loathe saying that there’s no pay at this time. The long-term goal is to change that.

PLEASE DON’T SEND

A summary that’s a chunk of the story pasted into the email
A story pasted in the body of the email
A story that’s unpolished or otherwise incomplete
A story without reading a few essays first
A story without knowing what this is
A story generated by AI robots, ghostwritten by monsters, or belonging to a person who isn’t you

SOME INSPO

This project is a new iteration of the live How I Learned show in New York. These are some of the themes from the series. Of course, you do not have to write to any of these themes, but you’re more than welcome to if it’s useful.

How I Learned To Fight Back; How I Learned My Adolescence Was Over; How I Learned What Life Is Like; How I Learned About Sex; How I Learned To Lie, Cheat, or Steal; How I Learned To Live In New York; How I Learned It’s All My Parents’ Fault; How I Learned It’s Not Me, It’s You; How I Learned To Say I’m Sorry; How I Learned To Believe.

ABOVE ALL

Send me your best stories. If you’re thinking of submitting, but you’re wavering, just do it. I’m looking forward to reading your work.

Blaise