a typewriter represents Introvert, Dear's submission guidelines

Updated Feb. 27, 2024

We’re looking for experts, thought leaders, and introverts who have something big to say.

Want to learn more? Read our submissions guide below. Then use this template when you submit your article. Please note that we do not accept articles written using ChatGPT or other AI technologies.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why write for Introvert, Dear?

Introvert, Dear is an award-winning publication and the largest community for introverts on the entire web! We’ve been featured on Vice, BuzzFeed, Oprah, Glamour, HuffPost, the Washington Post, and more. Our site gets 2 million views a month and has nearly a million followers on social media. For four years in a row, Feedspot has named us the number one publication for introverts on the web.

Want to write about highly sensitive people (HSPs)?

If your article is about highly sensitive people (HSPs), please submit it to our partner site Sensitive Refuge, the world’s largest website for highly sensitive people. Submit your article here.

How long should my article be?

It must be at least 1,000 words; please don’t go over 2,100.

Do you pay for submissions?

If we publish your article, you can choose one of the following options:

  1. Call-to-action: You can include a relevant 1-2 sentence call-to-action at the end of your article. You can direct readers to your website, your book or course, your newsletter or blog, or even your YouTube channel. With our high volume of traffic, we’ve found this is a valuable way for authors, new writers, coaches, therapists, entrepreneurs, social media influencers, and others to grow their following and direct readers to where they can find more resources. Please note that this text is subject to editorial discretion, and it may only include one link. You will not receive $75 if you choose this option.
  2. USD $75: We use PayPal to send payment, so you must have a PayPal account. Payment is in USD, but you don’t need to be located in the United States to write for us. If this is the option you chose, please include your PayPal email address at the top of the Google document. (Please be aware that in some cases, PayPal removes a $1-$5 transaction fee; unfortunately, there is nothing we can do about this.) You are not allowed to include a call-to-action with this option. We will send payment before the 15th of the month after your article is published.

What makes a strong article?

The best articles on Introvert, Dear have these things in common:

  • They’re deeply honest and personal. They don’t dance around the details or include vague references to the author’s experiences. They have strong examples and paint a vivid picture that other introverts relate to.
  • They dig beneath the surface. The advice isn’t clichéd or what we’ve all heard a thousand times already. It’s insightful and truly useful, empowering readers to understand their introverted nature on a deeper level.
  • The article builds to a clear message/lesson/call to action for readers, something that might evoke an “aha!” moment for them.
  • When applicable, they’re practical and actionable. Not all articles need a list of things to do — in fact, some are more powerful without one. But when the topic warrants clear action steps, it delivers.
  • They have a strong, clear connection to introversion.

Can I include links within the piece?

Sure! But only include links that will be helpful to the reader. They can be links to appropriate posts on your own blog (no more than two) or on any other website (the more reputable the source, the better). When you link to other posts on Introvert, Dear, that makes us happy. No affiliate or paid links.

Can I publish my article on my blog?

We ask that you don’t publish your article on your blog, Medium account, or elsewhere. This may sound harsh, but it’s important for SEO reasons! Search engines may punish websites for duplicate content.

Any style guidelines I should keep in mind?

  • Where possible, include numbered lists, bullets, and subheadings.
  • Remember that for online writing, clarity and easy reading are key.
  • Use casual, everyday words rather than academic or formal language. Avoid overly promotional language.
  • When applicable, include expert advice. Link to a study or expert source to help prove your point.
  • We allow the use of “they” as a singular, gender-neutral pronoun.
  • We spell “extrovert” and “extroversion” with an “o” not an “a.” Although both spellings are correct, “extravert” is generally used in the literature of psychology, while “extrovert” is the most prominent spelling in the United States today and is the principal spelling in standard dictionaries.
  • Because we’re based in the U.S., we use American spelling (“color” not “colour”).
  • Make sure you understand our definition of an introvert: someone who prefers a calm, low-stimulus environment.

Will you edit my article?

We’ll edit it for content and clarity, doing our best to preserve your unique voice.

What about my author bio?

Please include a 3-5 sentence author bio at the top of your article. Author bios can be casual and fun, or they can showcase your expertise. Use first person (“I,” “me,” “mine,” etc.).

  • Any schools you earned a degree from
  • Professional associations or other organizations you belong to
  • Other publications or websites you have written for
  • Your own site (if any)

…and definitely include links!

What about my headshot?

A photo of you will appear with your article. Our system uses your email address to grab your headshot from Gravatar, so make sure to upload a photo there. Important: We need the email address associated with your Gravatar account, otherwise we won’t be able to access your photo.

I just sent a post. Now what?

We deeply value your insights, and we’re thrilled that you’ve chosen to share them with us! We’ll be in touch within the next 4-6 weeks. We’ll email you either way to let you know if your article has been accepted, or if we didn’t feel like it was the right fit for our website. If your article was not accepted, feel free to try again with another one!

What should I do after my article is published?

We’d love for you to share it on social media. Sharing your article helps our community grow. Also, we hope you’ll be active in the comments, responding to readers’ questions or thoughts.

Submission Checklist

Before you submit your article, please run through this checklist. Have you…

  • Used this template?
  • Created a Gravatar profile? The email address you provide us should match the email address associated with your Gravatar account.
  • Turned your post into an editable Google Doc?

If so, you’re ready to submit!

Please share your full article as a Google document with [email protected].

We look forward to your contribution!

Writing Prompts

Here are some ideas to get you started. We accept articles not on these topics too.

1. What’s something that’s working for you in your life as an introvert?

Describe something that’s working for you as an introvert: a daily practice, lifestyle/career choice, personal boundary, etc. Why is it working for you? What problem did it solve? Were you met with opposition from others when you made this choice — and how did you deal with it? Here’s an example of this prompt: Why Living Apart Together Works for Me as an Introvert.

2. Explain and defend an introvert quirk.

Why are introverts quiet when meeting new people? Why do they retreat to their bedrooms alone after a busy day? Why do they hate it when dinner with one friend unexpectedly turns into a big group outing? Write an article explaining why introverts do the (sometimes confusing) things they do. Your goal should be to help the friends, family, significant others, coworkers, or general public understand introverts better. Here’s an example: For Introverts, Why Are Our Bedrooms Our Havens?

3. Give advice to solve a common introvert problem.

Write about a problem that many introverts face. What is it like to experience this problem? Have you personally struggled with it? Why is this problem unique to introverts (or at least more frequently experienced by them)? How can introverts solve or overcome this problem? We especially love when these posts are written by therapists, psychologists, researchers, or other experts. But, if you’re not an “expert,” that’s okay, too — speak from your experiences about what worked for you. Here’s an example of this prompt.

4. What are some things you shouldn’t do or say to an introvert?

What are some phrases you shouldn’t say to an introverted coworker, spouse, friend, or child? What are some things you shouldn’t do to them? Here’s an example of this prompt: 15 Things You Should Never Do to Your Introverted Child.

5. What’s something people misunderstand about you as an introvert?

Many introverts feel out of place in a world made for extroverts. Write a compassionate vindication explaining and defending an aspect of introverted behavior (for example, the introvert’s tendency to overthink or skip parties).

What is the misunderstanding, and how has it negatively affected your life? What do you wish others understood about this part of your personality? How have you learned to embrace this characteristic — and can it actually be a strength? See examples herehere, and here.

6. Suggest a change society needs to make.

Are schools, workplaces, communities, or social expectations doing something that harms introverts? (For example, expecting all students to participate boisterously in class, or the constant expectation for adults to fill their weekend with social plans.) Write about it. Why is this bad for introverts? What could be done instead that’s more introvert-friendly? See examples here and here.