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Submission Guidelines

your story belongs in these pages

What HSJ publishes

Heritage & Legacy

History, folklore, and national memory.

Family & Diaspora Life

First-person stories from wherever you've landed.

Quiet Impact

The people and organizations doing good without asking for credit.

Community & Compassion

The ways we show up for one another.

Destination & Cultural Storytelling

The island's places and culture, told like you've been there.

Editorial standards

· HSJ celebrates; it does not campaign. We do not publish political commentary or opinion pieces. Report on your subject rather than argue it, so every reader feels welcome.

· Warm, personal, and true. Tell every story with honesty, warmth and respect, and check your facts, names and dates. Accuracy matters to us.

· Original work only, previously unpublished, with photography where possible.

· Every accepted piece gets a contributor profile linking to all your work.

How to submit

1

Pitch it

A short note: the story, the section it fits, and why you're the one to tell it.

2

Shape it

The editor works with you on angle, length, and imagery.

3

See it published

Your piece joins an edition — in print rhythm, on the web, under your byline.

Frequently asked

Who can submit to HSJ? +

Anyone with a genuine Jamaican story to tell, on the island or anywhere in the diaspora. Seasoned writers and photographers are welcome, and so are first-time contributors and young correspondents finding their voices.

Do you pay contributors? +

Every published contributor receives a byline and a contributor profile on the HSJ website that links to all of their work. For questions about compensation, write to Submissions@HomeSweetJamaica.com.

How long should a piece be? +

Long enough to tell the story well. Most features run about 800 to 1,500 words, and first-person and community pieces are often shorter. Tell us your planned length in your pitch, and the editor will help shape it.

Can I submit photography only? +

Yes. Send us your photographs of Jamaican people, places and traditions with a short caption for each. Submit original work only, taken by you or used with permission, and get consent from anyone pictured.

When are the quarterly deadlines? +

HSJ publishes four issues a year, and we accept pitches year-round. Pitch early. Stories are assigned to an upcoming edition once accepted, and the editor will confirm your deadline when your pitch is approved.

Pitch your story