We believe that every woman has a story worth sharing — a unique narrative that resonates with others, inspires change, or brings comfort and understanding. At The Honest Talk, we are dedicated to celebrating those diverse experiences and voices of women from all walks of life.

We invite you to submit your authentic, personal essays for consideration. Whether your story is one of triumph over adversity, a reflection on identity and culture, a journey of self-discovery, or a tale of everyday courage, we want to hear from you.

Our goal is to create a space where authenticity, emotion, and personal connection thrive.

To ensure that your submission aligns with our vision and resonates with our audience, please review and adhere to the following editorial guidelines:

1. Authenticity and emotional depth:
   • Write from the heart. Share stories that genuinely impacted your life, allowing readers to connect with your emotions and experiences.
   • Be vulnerable and open about your feelings, thoughts, and reactions.
   • Honest reflections are key to creating a genuine connection with our audience.
2. Storytelling format and tone:
   • Craft your essay in the first person narrative. Use “I” to engage readers and create a personal connection.
   • Maintain a tone that is sincere, reflective, and introspective.
   • Some examples of The Honest Talk essays we really admire are:
     • “My anorexia didn’t kill me, but it did shape me forever” and “I kicked imposter syndrome to the curb, here’s why you should, too.”
3. Length and structure:
   • Essays should be 600 to 800 words in length, ensuring that the story is concise yet impactful.
   • Begin with a compelling hook to draw readers in and provide context for your experience.
   • Develop a clear and coherent structure, including an introduction, body paragraphs, and a meaningful conclusion that wraps up your story.
4. Visual elements:
   • Accompany your essay with 2-3 personal photos that visually enhance your story.
   • These images should be relevant to the narrative and provide insight into your experience.
   • Ensure that the images are of high resolution and appropriately sized for online publication.

• • Submit your essay as a Word document or a compatible format via email to essays@thehonesttalk.ca.
  • Include a brief author bio (50-75 words) that highlights your background and any relevant experiences.
  • Attach the personal photos separately in JPEG or PNG format.
  • Please also include your preferred social media handles or your website link.

Our editorial team will review your submission for clarity, coherence, grammar, and overall structure. We may provide feedback or suggestions for revisions to ensure your essay aligns with our guidelines and resonates with our audience.

In certain cases, we may propose a full rewrite, which will be run by you for final approval before publication.

Once your essay is accepted and published on The Honest Talk website, it will be shared across our social media platforms. We encourage you to reshare and to engage with readers’ comments and feedback on the website and our social media channels.

For inspiration, check out previously published first-person essays here!