Guest post guidelines: how to submit article to How To Be Books

We are delighted to announce our new guest post initiative for How To Be Books and are actively seeking experts in the field of nonfiction, encompassing genres such as memoir, poetry, biographies, essays, literary nonfiction, self-help, and more.

Why would you want to guest post for How To Be Books?

We showcase some of the top voices around the world in their field, providing their insights to loyal readers and listeners. If you don’t get a chance to be on the podcast, it is a way to still be part of the conversation and movement, all while still highlighting your knowledge and book surrounding the topic. You will also get the opportunity to backlink to your work and site for further promotion.

However, to ensure the quality and relevance of the content we publish, we have outlined our guest post guidelines below:

1. Expertise and relevance

• Nonfiction emphasis: We are keenly interested in articles that reflect your expertise in the realm of nonfiction writing. Your work should have been published by a recognised publisher and not self-published. This is essential for the vetting process.
• Alignment with themes: Your article should align with the themes and topics covered on our platform. Familiarise yourself with our existing content to grasp our focus.

2. Article pitch

• Pitch submission: Instead of forwarding complete articles, we invite you to submit a concise pitch (2-3 paragraphs) outlining your proposed story. Elaborate on what renders it captivating, its relevance in the current context, and the distinctive perspective, analysis, or reporting you plan to bring to it.
• Writing style: Your pitch offers an excellent opportunity to showcase your writing style and tone. Please include links to any prior work if available.
• Email subject: Employ “PITCH FOR GUEST POST” as the subject line in your email.

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3. Article length and structure

• Length: Articles should generally fall within the range of 600 to 1,000 words. Concentrate on delivering valuable content rather than strictly adhering to word count.
• Structure: Organise your article with lucid headings, subheadings, and bullet points for reader-friendly navigation. Maintain a conversational and engaging tone throughout.

4. Images and multimedia

• Images: If you opt to include images, ensure you hold the requisite rights for their usage and provide apt image credits. High-resolution images are preferred.
• Multimedia: We welcome the incorporation of multimedia elements like videos, infographics, or charts if they enhance the content and align with the topic.

5. Citations and sources

• Citations: Substantiate your claims with credible sources and incorporate links to these sources within the text to establish credibility.
• Plagiarism: Plagiarism is strictly prohibited. All content submitted must be original and not previously published elsewhere.

6. Author bio and promotion

• Author Bio: Include a brief author bio (50-100 words) with your submission. Feel free to include links to your personal website and social media profiles. Up to three links are permitted.
• Promotion: While we encourage authors to share their published articles, please refrain from excessive self-promotion within the article. The primary emphasis should be on delivering valuable insights to our readers.

7. Editing and review process

• Following submission, our editorial team will scrutinise your article. We may propose revisions for clarity, style, or accuracy.
• We retain the right to make necessary edits to the article for formatting, grammar, and SEO optimisation.

8. Submission process

• Kindly dispatch your article pitch via email to [email protected].
• If you possess a fully completed essay ready for submission, include it as a Word document or share it through Google Docs or OneDrive, along with a brief description of the piece in your email.

9. Response time

• We will diligently review and respond to your submission within a reasonable timeframe. If you have not received a response within 14 days, please feel free to follow up.

10. Exclusivity

• Upon publication on our platform, we request exclusivity for 7 days. Subsequently, you are welcome to republish the content elsewhere, provided you include a link back to the original article.

By adhering to these guidelines, you enhance the likelihood of your guest post being accepted and featured on the How To Be Books platform. We eagerly anticipate receiving your contributions and collaborating to offer valuable content to our readers. While this is an unpaid opportunity, it will give you a chance to highlight your expertise, your important book, and how it can help society.

If you have any queries or require further clarification regarding these guidelines, please do not hesitate to contact us at [email protected]. We appreciate your consideration of contributing to our platform and eagerly anticipate our collaboration!