FAQ For Contributors
1. What kind of work does Still Here publish?
We focus on emotional realism, grounded storytelling, and honest writing that isn’t afraid to bleed a little. Personal essays, short fiction, poetry, and art that explore the human condition are all welcome.
2. How do I submit my work?
You can email us at stillheremag@gmail.com during our reading periods. We will not read anything sent after the submission window closes unless it has been extended. We post open calls on our social media and newsletter; we’re also listed on Chill Subs! Please visit our Submit page for official guidelines.
3. Who decides what gets published?
Our content readers provide us with a preliminary review on each piece, and all final decisions for publication are made by Alauna.
4. Do you pay contributors?
Not yet. Still Here is an independent project made of love, not funding. Every accepted contributor receives full credit, promotion across our platforms, and free digital access to the issue they appear in. We are actively working toward a model that allows us to reward contributors in additional ways in the future.
5. Can I submit previously published work?
We prefer unpublished pieces, but reprints are considered if you hold the rights. Please mention when and where it was first published.
6. When will I hear back after submitting?
We currently aim to respond within 10 days. If it’s been longer than that, feel free to send a polite query.
7. Will my piece be edited if accepted?
Yes, but lightly. Alauna personally edits every piece to make sure it fits the tone and flow of the magazine. Any edits will always be discussed with you before finalization. Edits are not made until after the submission window closes.
8. Can I submit again if I’ve been rejected?
Absolutely. Rejection doesn’t mean your work isn’t good; it just means that it didn’t fit this issue’s vision. You’re always welcome to try again in the next reading period.
FAQ For Readers
1. How can I read the magazine?
Each issue is released digitally and can be read directly on our website. We’re also working toward releasing mini-issues during the months between full releases. Some pieces may also be released as Digital Exclusives, only available to Still Here Magazine website subscribers!
2. How often do new issues come out?
Right now, we’re releasing issues seasonally (about four times a year), but that may change in the future. Our first issue can be found here!
3. How can I support the magazine?
You can support Still Here by reading and sharing our work, subscribing to our newsletter, and following us on social media. If you’re able, donations help keep the site running and support future contributor compensation. Our links are below:
Social Media/ Donations Links
4. Can I feature or review Still Here on my blog, newsletter, or podcast?
Yes, please! Just make sure to credit the magazine and link back to our site or social media.
5. Can I submit feedback or letters about an issue?
Yes! We’d love to hear how our issues make you feel. You can send us a message through our contact form or send us an email with your thoughts. The contact form can be found on our Contact page.
6. I love what you’re doing. How can I get involved?
Thank you! Right now, the best way to support is by reading, sharing, and spreading the word. If you’re interested in volunteering, collaborating, or offering support in another way, you can reach out through our contact page.
7. Will there ever be a print version of Still Here?
Maybe one day. Right now, we’re focused on keeping the magazine accessible and sustainable in digital form, but print magazines aren’t off the table in the future. If you’d like to stay updated with Still Here’s progress, feel free to subscribe to the newsletter!
8. Will you feature guest writers, interviews, or special collaborations?
That’s the goal! We’re still finding our footing and building the foundation of Still Here, but we plan to expand into interviews, guest features, and creative collaborations in the near future. We want this space to grow into a community that celebrates honest voices in all forms.
FAQ For Paid Feedback Requests
- What is paid feedback?
- Paid feedback is an optional service offering thoughtful, editor-focused responses to your work. It is open to anyone, whether or not you are submitting for publication.
- Does paid feedback affect publication decisions?
- No. Paid feedback does not influence acceptance. Editorial decisions are made independently of feedback requests.
- What’s the difference between “Feedback Only” and “Feedback + PC”?
- Feedback Only: You’ll receive feedback, but your work will not be considered for publication. Ideal for writers who are simply looking for someone else’s opinion.
- Feedback + PC: You’ll receive feedback, and your work will also be considered for publication.
- How should I format my subject line?
- Please use one of the following formats:
- Feedback Only- Your Name
- Feedback+PC- Your Name
- Please use one of the following formats:
- How much does paid feedback cost, and what does it include?
- Pricing, scope, and turnaround times are listed on the “Submit” page under the Paid Feedback section.
Final Note:
Thank you for supporting Still Here. Whether as a reader, a writer, or someone seeking feedback. This magazine exists because people believe in honest work and the space to share it.
Alauna Lester is the Editor-in-Chief of Still Here Magazine, a digital publication dedicated to emotional realism and grounded storytelling. She is the author of ‘Vengeance’s Vow’, a dark fantasy debut exploring fragmented minds and revenge. She is currently writing her second book. Outside of writing and editing, she nurtures an unusual obsession with paper, from elegant stationery to thick, textured pages. Her book can be found here: Vengeance’s Vow You can find her on X @allaumawriting or @stillheremag
Robert Donahue-Poetry Content Reader
Robert Donohue’s poetry has appeared in Amethyst Review, Pulsebeat Poetry Journal, and The Rye Whiskey Review, among others. He lives on Long Island, NY.
Ellia Schutz- Short Fiction/Personal Essay Content Reader
Ellia Schutz is a Creative Writing student based in British Columbia, Canada. She likes to write about the art of the human experience—most particularly about the liminal experiences in which we exist subtly but powerfully. To her, there are no insignificant stories or lives. Her writing often involves intimate connections with nature and she finds her words from the soil of the Earth. One will find her and her prose deep in the woods, in piles of moss or up in the thick branches of an oak tree.
Joey Bernert- Short Fiction/Poetry Content Reader
Joseph “Joey” Colby Bernert is a clinical social worker, public health researcher, and editor in chief for the Orichalcum Tower Review. They enjoy writing creative non-fiction, poetry, and essays based upon their lived experiences.
Gabriella Dolores Menezes- Short Fiction/ Hybrid
Gabriella Dolores Menezes is an autistic writer who specializes in surreal and speculative short fiction. Their work is published or forthcoming in Variety Pack, ScribesMICRO, 100-Foot Crow, and Quotidian Bagatelle, and has been nominated for Best Small Fictions.
Danielle Ellis- Short Fiction/Hybrid/ Art
Danielle Ellis is a writer from the Quad Cities, a reader for The Colored Lens, and the founding editor of InterrobangLit. Her work has appeared in Third Wednesday Magazine, Brilliant Flash Fiction, Ink in Thirds Magazine, and is forthcoming in Penumbric and Neon & Smoke. You can follow her on: