We’re launching a new storytelling platform dedicated to preserving meaningful stories from real lives. Everyone carries moments, memories, and experiences that would otherwise disappear. When those stories aren’t recorded, they are lost forever. Our platform Storymoir exists to preserve them. We’re looking for writers who can share authentic non-fiction stories from their own life experiences. These are not meant to be blog posts, articles, or fictional pieces rather we want to feature true stories about real moments, events from our writers lives. Examples of categories might include: - childhood memories - family stories - immigration experiences - life turning points - unexpected moments that stayed with you - travel memories - relationships and love - lessons learned the hard way The goal is simple: Tell a true story from your life in a compelling way. Story Requirements - True personal experiences (nonfiction) - Written in first-person voice - Emotionally honest and reflective - Focused on one meaningful moment Target length: 1000–2000 words Longer stories are welcome if the story is compelling and you're open to expanding the word count. Tone We Are Looking For: Good stories for us are rooted in narrative, for example: “I remember the smell of gasoline in my father’s garage when I was eight years old.” Vs: “Growing up teaches us many valuable life lessons.” We’re looking for specific memories, vivid details, authentic voice, and reflection. However we're open to a range of voices and writing styles. Payment $100 per accepted story For this first round we plan to commission approximately 25 stories. If things go well, we expect to commission many more stories in the future. Writers who are a strong fit may be invited to contribute additional stories. How Our Process Works Please do not send a full story immediately. Instead, submit along with your cover letter & application: 1. A short description of the story you want to tell 2. The opening sentence / hook Example: Story idea: The day my grandmother taught me how to drive a tractor on her farm in Iowa. Opening sentence: My grandmother believed every problem in life could be solved with a tractor. We will review pitches and invite selected writers to submit the full story. After Your Story Is Accepted: 1. You will write your story (1000-2000 words - you don't need to "wrap up" the story in this segment if it's a part of a bigger narrative, a "chapter" of the story is fine." 2. You will create a free Storymoir account. (We will assist with this process as we're in beta currently) 3. Your story will be published under your author profile. You retain attribution as the author. Storymoir is a non-exclusive publisher and may use excerpts for promotion of the platform. Who's an ideal fit? - Writers who rnjoy memoir writing - Keep journals or personal essays - Reflect on meaningful life moments - Enjoy storytelling based on real experiences Professional writing experience is welcome but not required. The most important thing is a genuine story and authentic voice. Important Note AI tools may be used for editing assistance, but the story should reflect a real personal experience and authentic voice. Submissions that read like generic AI essays are not likely to be accepted. Finally, to confirm you read the entire listing, include the word “Penguin” somewhere in your proposal.