Submissions

If you’d like to write for Martial Journal, please contact us and let us know what you want to write about – whether that be a one-time submission or an ongoing relationship. We do not pay for any submissions, from anyone.

All contributors, if approved, will be set up with an account and are responsible for their own submissions. At least one editor will review it, with an effort to maintain the voice of the piece while also catching grammar and style errors. When in doubt, our editors will work with you.

Martial artist at a typewriterBelow, a summary of what is expected of writers. We’ll train you on anything you’re not yet comfortable with.

  1. Content – traditional martial arts related. If you’re talking about MMA, there has to be a traditional hook to it. If unsure, ask an editor.
  2. At least 500 words. Maximum of 2000 words. Exceptions can be made but should be pre-arranged.
  3. Minimum 1 image inserted as the Featured Image. Additional images are welcome in the body.
  4. Fully checked for spelling and grammar issues.
  5. An appropriate, catchy title of no more than 50 characters.
  6. A 160-character summary of the piece.
  7. Authors will directly enter their content into the backend of the website. No emailing your work to someone and having them enter it.
  8. Link to other Martial Journal articles that might be relevant to the audience. This helps all of us.
  9. Once your piece is finished, set the status to Pending Review by submitting with the blue button that says “Submit for Review.”
  10. Editing will be done ASAP by someone on the editorial board.
    1. If significant edits are required, you will be emailed. Otherwise, the piece will be scheduled for publishing.
  11. Once published you are advised to promote your piece (and by extension, the site) which will lead to more readers. We suggest using both social media and your own website(s) with brief intros and direct links.
  12. You may not repost any content you posted at MartialJournal.com, but a best-practice strategy would be to write a 300-word summary (aka rewrite) of the beginning of the piece and post it with a link back to your MJ article.
  13. AI-generated images are acceptable. AI-generated text is not. You are welcome to use AI for outlines, topic ideas, and other queries that support your creativity. But we require all writing to be your own.

If you wish to be a continuing, contributing writer, you will be expected to produce at least one submission per month. Occasional contributions are acceptable, but editing priority will be given to those who contribute regularly.