An open door for original voices
Your words may be exactly what someone needs to read.
Pen Whispers is a home for thoughtful, honest and imaginative writing. We welcome writers who question deeply, observe carefully, tell compelling stories and help readers see life from a different perspective.
You do not need to be an established author. What matters most is that your work has something meaningful to say—and says it in a voice that is genuinely yours.
What we publish
- Essays and commentary
- Poetry
- Short fiction
- Personal reflections
- Culture and society
- Faith and philosophy
- Book, film and music criticism
If your work does not fit neatly into one category, you may still submit it. Some of the most interesting writing resists easy classification.
Before you submit
- Send original work that belongs to you.
- Attribute quotations, facts and borrowed ideas.
- Disclose if the work has appeared elsewhere.
- Proofread your manuscript before sending it.
- Submit one piece at a time unless invited otherwise.
Responsible use of editing tools, including artificial intelligence, is allowed. The writer must remain the true author and take responsibility for the work’s originality and accuracy.
How the editorial process works
- You submit your work. A complete manuscript gives us the best chance to assess it fairly.
- We read it carefully. We consider originality, craft, clarity and whether the piece belongs in Pen Whispers.
- We respond. We may accept it, request revisions, suggest a different direction or respectfully decline it.
- We edit together. Significant changes will not be published without the writer’s knowledge and approval.
We aim to respond within 21 days. Acceptance is not automatic, and publication decisions remain with the Pen Whispers editorial team.
Rights and publication
You retain ownership of your work. If your submission is accepted, you give Pen Whispers permission to edit and publish it on the website and to share excerpts, quotations and links through Pen Whispers channels. Any use beyond those purposes will require your consent.
Unless agreed otherwise in writing, submissions are considered on an unpaid basis.
Submit your work
Complete the form below. Required fields are marked with an asterisk. You may paste your manuscript, upload it as a document, or do both.
Not every worthy piece is accepted on its first submission. An editorial decision is not a judgment on your value as a writer.
Keep writing. Keep refining your voice. Keep sending your words into the world.