How to Submit Your Story to The Pensacola Beacon

<p>The Pensacola Beacon is a community publication, and the best community publications are built by their communities. We actively welcome story submissions from writers, historians, family members, and anyone with a story to tell about Black life on the Gulf Coast.</p>

<p>This guide explains what we publish, how to submit, and what to expect from our editorial process.</p>

<h2>What We're Looking For</h2>

<p>We publish stories that illuminate the culture, history, and contemporary life of Black communities on the Gulf Coast, with a particular focus on the Pensacola area. Our editorial categories are:</p>

<ul>
<li><strong>Culture &amp; Heritage</strong> — Historical narratives about people, places, and events that shaped Black Gulf Coast life. Family histories, neighborhood stories, institutional histories, and oral history projects.</li>
<li><strong>Community Voices</strong> — Profiles of contemporary individuals and organizations. Entrepreneurs, educators, artists, activists, and families making a difference today.</li>
<li><strong>Arts &amp; Music</strong> — Stories about Black artistic expression on the Gulf Coast. Music, visual arts, literature, theater, dance, culinary arts, and creative practice.</li>
<li><strong>Scholarships</strong> — Information and stories about educational opportunities for Black students, particularly in journalism, media, and communications.</li>
</ul>

<h2>Who Can Submit</h2>

<p>Anyone. You do not need to be a professional writer or journalist. You do not need to live in Pensacola, although a connection to the Gulf Coast is important for the stories we publish. You do not need previous publication credits.</p>

<p>We are especially interested in hearing from:</p>

<ul>
<li>Elders and family members with oral histories to share</li>
<li>Local historians and researchers</li>
<li>Students working on journalism, media, or history projects</li>
<li>Community organizers and nonprofit leaders</li>
<li>Artists and musicians who want to tell their own stories</li>
<li>Members of the Gulf Coast diaspora who carry stories from home</li>
</ul>

<p>If you're not sure whether your story is a fit, submit it anyway. We'd rather see it and decide than miss it entirely.</p>

<h2>How to Submit</h2>

<p>We accept submissions through our online submission form, available at the "Submit a Story" link on our website. The form asks for the following:</p>

<ul>
<li><strong>Your name</strong> — How you want to be credited if published.</li>
<li><strong>Your email</strong> — So we can contact you about your submission. We will never share your email with third parties.</li>
<li><strong>Story title</strong> — A working title for your piece. This can change during the editorial process.</li>
<li><strong>Category</strong> — Which of our editorial categories best fits your story.</li>
<li><strong>Summary</strong> — A short description (up to 500 characters) of what your story is about and why it matters.</li>
<li><strong>Full story</strong> (optional) — If you have a complete draft, you can include it. If not, the summary is enough for us to evaluate whether the story is a fit.</li>
<li><strong>Contribution type</strong> — Whether this is an original article, a personal essay, a historical piece, a profile, or another format.</li>
</ul>

<h2>What Happens After You Submit</h2>

<p>Every submission is reviewed by our editorial team. Here's the process:</p>

<p><strong>1. Acknowledgment.</strong> You'll see a confirmation on the website when your submission is received. We review submissions on a rolling basis.</p>

<p><strong>2. Initial Review.</strong> We evaluate your submission for relevance, originality, and alignment with our editorial mission. This typically takes one to two weeks.</p>

<p><strong>3. Editorial Decision.</strong> We'll contact you by email with one of three outcomes:</p>

<ul>
<li><strong>Accepted</strong> — Your story is approved for publication. We may suggest edits for clarity, length, or style. All edits are collaborative, and nothing is published without your approval.</li>
<li><strong>Revision requested</strong> — Your story has potential but needs additional work. We'll provide specific feedback and invite you to resubmit.</li>
<li><strong>Not a fit</strong> — Your story doesn't align with our current editorial needs. We'll try to explain why and may suggest alternative outlets.</li>
</ul>

<p><strong>4. Editing and Publication.</strong> If accepted, we'll work with you to finalize the piece. This may include fact-checking, copy editing, and formatting. We'll agree on a publication date and notify you when your story goes live.</p>

<h2>Editorial Standards</h2>

<p>We hold all published content to the following standards:</p>

<p><strong>Accuracy.</strong> Facts must be verifiable. If you're writing about historical events, we'll ask for sources. If you're sharing oral history, we'll note that the information comes from personal recollection.</p>

<p><strong>Respect.</strong> All subjects must be treated with dignity. We do not publish content that demeans individuals or communities. Critique is welcome, but cruelty is not.</p>

<p><strong>Originality.</strong> Submissions must be your own work and must not have been published elsewhere without disclosure. If your piece has appeared in another publication, let us know in your submission.</p>

<p><strong>Length.</strong> Published articles typically run between 800 and 1,500 words, though we're flexible for stories that warrant more or less space.</p>

<h2>Compensation</h2>

<p>The Pensacola Beacon is a community-funded publication, and the majority of our revenue goes directly to the Beacon Scholarship Fund. At this time, we are not able to offer payment for submissions. Contributors receive a byline, author bio, and the satisfaction of knowing their story is preserved and accessible to the community.</p>

<p>As the publication grows, we intend to establish a contributor compensation program. We believe writers deserve to be paid for their work, and we're working toward making that possible.</p>

<h2>Questions?</h2>

<p>If you have questions about the submission process, editorial standards, or anything else, reach out through our website. We're here to help you tell your story.</p>

<p>The Pensacola Beacon belongs to its community. Your story is part of that community. We want to hear it.</p>

<p class="further-reading"><strong>Further reading:</strong> <a href="/articles/what-is-the-pensacola-beacon-mission-vision">What Is The Pensacola Beacon? Our Mission and Vision</a> &middot; <a href="/articles/supporting-the-beacon-why-membership-matters">Supporting The Beacon: Why Membership Matters</a> &middot; <a href="/submit">Submit Your Story Now</a></p>