In the spirit of the eclectic series, we are seeking sharp personal nonfiction stories from diverse perspectives, sensibilities, and voices that offer an evocative spin on existential-leaning themes. The horror and the hilarity of living. The profound and the absurd. The details of discovery that conflict with the old narrative. The little things that challenge a longheld belief. How we change or don't change; how the world changes or fails to change. Heavy stories, humor, stories, what lives in between. Whatever the tone, mood, or situation, your How I Learned story does not resolve neatly with a bow. Make meaning out of chaos, but leave us wondering where the story takes you after it ends.

Nonfiction essay: 800 - 1500 words
Nonfiction flash essay: 500 - 800 words
Submit your best story. We're looking for a polished piece.
Send your work as a Word or Google attachment.
Include the word count at the top of the submission.
In your email, add (1) a story summary in 2 - 4 sentences; and (2) a brief third-person bio.
Please indicate if this is a simultaneous submission and inform us immediately if it gets accepted elsewhere.
If you'd like to include how you learned about How I Learned, please do.
The email subject line should read "Submission - How I Learned."
Send to: howilearned@gmail.com

Some DON'Ts:

Submissions will not be read if (1) the author is "anonymous" (a pen name is fine); (2) the summary is a chunk of the story copied and pasted into the email; or (3) the story itself is pasted into the body of the email.

Response time:

You'll usually get a response in 1 - 4 weeks. Please wait a month before following up. If you haven't heard back by then, resend the original email with "Follow up" as the subject line.

A note about character pseudonyms:

Choosing to change names, places, or other identifying characteristics is the responsibility of the author. These changes will not be made once the work is published.

Here's a sampling of topics from live shows. You DO NOT have to write to any of these themes, though you're more than welcome to.

How I Learned To Fight Back; How I Learned My Adolescence Was Over; How I Learned What Life is Like; How I Learned About Sex; How I Learned To Lie, Cheat or Steal; How I Learned To Live in New York; How I Learned The Hard Way; How I Learned It's All My Parents Fault; How I Learned It's Not Me, It's You; How I Learned To Say I'm Sorry; How I Learned Nothing is Even Real; How I Learned To Believe; How I Learned There Might Be Some Issues: Stories About Therapy...

Hello. Looking for Submissions Guidelines? Visit howilearnedseries.com.