This Voluntary Contribution Policy should be read together with our other governing documents, including:
Collectively, these documents outline how The Bookish Magazine operates and the standards we uphold.
1. Introduction
The Bookish Magazine welcomes voluntary contributions from writers, reviewers, academics, creatives, industry professionals, and passionate readers who wish to share thoughtful perspectives on books, literature, publishing, culture, and related topics.
This policy sets out the terms, conditions, and expectations applicable to all unpaid submissions.
By submitting content to The Bookish Magazine, contributors confirm their acceptance of this policy.
2. Eligibility to Contribute
We accept voluntary submissions from individuals who meet the following criteria.
- Possess relevant knowledge, experience, or enthusiasm related to books, literature, publishing, or cultural discourse
- Can deliver original, well-crafted, and insightful content
- Agree to comply with this policy and our editorial standards
3. Submission Guidelines
3.1 Content Standards
All submitted content must meet the following requirements, as applicable.
- Be original and unpublished elsewhere, unless prior written consent is obtained
- Be accurate, well-researched, and free from plagiarism
- Align with the voice, values, and thematic focus of The Bookish Magazine
- Avoid hate speech, discrimination, defamatory statements, or harmful content
- Properly credit and cite any external sources, quotations, or references
3.2 Format & Style
Submissions should be shared using our preferred format, such as Google Docs, a Word document, or plain text.
The suggested word count is between 800 and 1,500 words, unless otherwise specified by our other policies or procedures.
Writing should be clear, engaging, and accessible to a broad literary audience.
Headings, subheadings, and short paragraphs should be used to improve readability.
Images, illustrations, or other media may be included if they are copyright-free or properly licensed, and attribution must be provided.
4. Editorial Review & Decision
All submissions are reviewed by The Bookish Magazine editorial team.
We reserve the right to edit content for clarity, grammar, structure, tone, and length while respecting the author’s original intent.
Submission does not guarantee publication.
Editorial decisions are final and made at our sole discretion.
Contributors will be notified of acceptance or rejection within six months of submission.
5. Rights & Permissions
5.1 Copyright & Licensing
Contributors retain full copyright ownership of their work.
By submitting content, contributors grant The Bookish Magazine permission to review the work for consideration. Upon acceptance, contributors grant The Bookish Magazine a non-exclusive, worldwide, royalty-free licence to publish, distribute, archive, and promote the content across our platforms. All rights not expressly granted remain with the contributor.
Any request for exclusivity must be agreed upon in writing prior to publication.
If contributors wish to republish their work elsewhere, prior permission must be obtained and The Bookish Magazine must be credited as the original publisher.
5.2 Republishing & Adaptations
The Bookish Magazine may republish accepted content in alternative formats, including newsletters, print editions, anthologies, or promotional materials.
Minor edits for formatting, search engine optimisation, or platform requirements may be made without prior notice.
6. Attribution & Author Profiles
Published contributors will receive a byline and, where applicable, a short author bio of approximately 50 to 100 words.
Approved links to personal websites, portfolios, or social media accounts may be included.
Promotional, irrelevant, or excessive self-serving links may be edited or removed at the editorial team’s discretion.
7. Compensation & Non-Monetary Benefits
All contributions are voluntary and unpaid unless explicitly stated in a separate written agreement.
Contributors benefit from exposure to The Bookish Magazine’s readership and association with an established literary platform.
Selected pieces may be featured or shared across our digital channels at the editorial team’s discretion.
8. Ethics, Responsibility & AI Disclosure
Contributors are solely responsible for ensuring their work complies with copyright laws, defamation laws, and ethical publishing standards.
The Bookish Magazine is not liable for any legal claims arising from submitted content.
Any use of artificial intelligence tools must be disclosed.
AI tools may only be used as a supporting aid and must not replace original human authorship.
9. Withdrawal & Content Removal
Contributors may request the removal of their published content with valid justification.
The Bookish Magazine retains full discretion over whether such requests are approved.
We reserve the right to remove or amend content at any time for editorial, legal, or policy-related reasons.
10. Acceptance of Terms
By submitting content to The Bookish Magazine, contributors or their authorised representatives confirm that they have read, understood, and agreed to the terms of this Voluntary Contribution Policy and all related policies.
For questions, clarifications, or submission proposals, please contact us via our Contact Form.