Debut Editorial Essay Contest

Dear Writer, Storyteller, Creative,

At dōsyna COLLECTIVE, we believe every story holds lessons that can inspire, connect, and empower. Shared experiences have the power to bring people together, creating meaningful connections and fostering growth. This community is built on celebrating authenticity, learning from one another, and embracing the journey of life in all its forms.

We’re thrilled to announce the debut of the dōsyna COLLECTIVE

Editorial theme -- a tradition we’re excited to begin and carry forward for years to come.

This is your opportunity to share your unique story, connect with a community of diverse perspectives, and spark new ideas, nurture growth, and cultivate a sense of belonging.

 ✨ Submission Theme: Transformational Journey Through the Lens of Spring ✨

We are seeking personal narrative essays that explores the transformative essence of Spring—a season rich with growth, renewal, and resilience. Spring is not just about blooming flowers or longer days; it reflects the delicate interplay of struggle and beauty, the quiet strength of fresh starts, and the potential for meaningful change.

Your essay should explore how the energy, unpredictability, or subtleties of Spring have shaped a significant transformation in your life. It might be the renewal of hope after hardship, a small but profound moment of personal growth, or an epiphany inspired by nature’s rhythms. We welcome deeply personal stories that resonate with universal themes of change and renewal.

While the theme provides a foundation, we encourage creative interpretations. How has your journey mirrored the spirit of Spring? What lessons or insights can your journey offer to inspire and guide others in their season of life?

Share your story and help others discover the beauty and strength within their own transformational journeys! We’re excited to read your submissions and deeply grateful for your participation in this milestone—the debut of the dōsyna COLLECTIVE Editorial Section.

Thank you for being part of this inspiring new chapter!

Dalene & dōsyna COLLECTIVE Team

How to Get Started! 

📝 Prerequisites -- Reminder to Connect! 

Anyone is welcome to participate but essays eligible to win the grand prize must meet the following prerequisites. These steps ensure we are supporting active members of the dōsyna COLLECTIVE community:

Sign Up and Become a Member – It’s Free!
Join the dōsyna COLLECTIVE at no cost. Sign up on our website to unlock access to this exciting creative opportunity.

Join Our Facebook Community
Like and follow our page to stay connected and receive updates.

Follow Us on Instagram
Visit our page, like, and engage with the post about our Editorial Debut!

By completing these steps, you become an integral part of the dōsyna COLLECTIVE community and help us create a vibrant and engaged platform! 

📋 Submission Guidelines:

All submissions must be original and unpublished works. Essays that have been previously published, in print or online (including personal blogs or social media), will not be eligible for consideration. We’re looking for fresh, authentic voices to feature in the dōsyna Collective’s debut publication.

• Theme: Refer to the body of this announcement above 
• Word Count: 900–1500 words (approximately 3–5 pages, double-spaced)
• Formatting:

• Double-spaced
• 1-inch margins
• Font: Times New Roman, size 12
• Page numbers in the upper-right corner
• Include your name, address, phone number, and email in the top-left corner of the first page

Publication Terms & Agreement: 

Personal narratives are deeply personal, and retaining rights is often crucial because these stories hold significant meaning for their authors. At dōsyna Collective, we understand and respect this, which is why we’re offering contributors the opportunity to retain their rights. Here’s how we’ve decided to approach it: 

First Publication Rights & Author Retains Copyright: 

dōsyna Collective will have the exclusive right to publish the story for the first time. The author retains ownership and can republish, adapt, or use the story however they wish after its initial publication with dōsyna Collective. 

Reprint Policy:

Author can republish their work elsewhere per the First Publication & Author Retrains Copyright agreement, however, we request credit as the original publisher (e.g., “First published in the dosyna Collective”) if the story has not been adapted or changed.   

*Must be 18 years of age or older 

 💻 Important Dates:

- The submission portal on our website will open December 30, 2024 

- Close January 13, 17, 2025 (date revised) 

- Submissions will only be accepted via the portal. Essays sent via email will not be considered.

- Prerequisites -- Don't Miss-Out! Reminder to Connect Early (before December 30th)! 

- Winner will be contact by Feb. 10, 2025. Winner will be notified via email, phone and will have 5 days to acknowledge. Make sure all contact information is correct on the submission form to avoid disqualification. 

- Story will be published in March 2025 Spring Editorial.

Contact Us for Assistance: If you still can’t locate the guidelines, please email us at Connect@dosyna.com, and we will resend the information to ensure you have what you need to complete your submission.

Following the guidelines is crucial for your submission to be eligible. Double-check every detail before submitting!

 🏆 Grand Prize: $1,000 USD

One winning essay will be selected to receive a cash prize of $1,000 USD and will be prominently featured in our March 2025 publication.

📝 Prerequisites -- Reminder to Connect! 

Anyone is welcome to participate but essays eligible to win the grand prize must meet the prerequisites above. These steps ensure we are supporting active members of the dōsyna Collective community. 

 Celebrate Spring and Connection! Your Story Matters:

 Let’s embrace the transformative power of storytelling together. We can’t wait to hear your voices and share your stories with the world!