What you can send
We welcome a proposal written directly in the form, or a completed manuscript as a Microsoft Word .docx or .doc file. The maximum attachment size is 8 MB. We prefer .docx for readability, accessibility and easier revision. Please do not send macro-enabled Word files (.docm). A Word document is optional for a pitch.
References: APA 7th edition
Where you cite scholarship, research, reportage or other sources, use the APA Publication Manual, 7th edition: author–date citations in the text and an alphabetized reference list containing enough information for readers to locate the material. Include DOI links where available. For direct quotations, include a page or other appropriate locator. We welcome essays grounded in lived experience; those do not require invented scholarly references, but checkable factual claims should still be sourced.
Example in-text citation: (Author, 2024). Example reference: Author, A. A. (2024). Title of the work. Publisher. APA Style reference examples.
Word document metadata and anonymity
Choosing an anonymous or pseudonymous byline does not remove identifying details inside a Word document. Metadata can include the author name, last person to edit, comments, tracked changes, hidden text, embedded files and the filename. Do not assume the upload process removes this information.
- Save a copy with a neutral filename, avoiding your legal name or organization if you want privacy.
- In Microsoft Word on desktop, open File → Info → Check for Issues → Inspect Document (options vary between Windows and Mac). Review document properties, personal information, tracked changes, comments and hidden content, then remove unwanted data.
- Accept or reject changes and delete comments in the copy you plan to submit. Inspect headers, footers and attached or embedded materials as well.
- Reopen your cleaned file to verify it contains only the information you intend to share. Consider seeking technical assistance before sending a highly sensitive document.
OUTLET does not guarantee technical anonymity; online hosting and private correspondence can still leave traces. Read our participation and anonymity policy.
AI use and responsibility
AI assistance is welcome. Disclose substantial involvement in producing research, arguments or text; routine proofreading or language assistance does not require disclosure. Verify all factual claims, references and quotations yourself. See our full AI policy.
Before you send
Article proposals may be short. Completed pieces should have a working title, readable paragraphs, any necessary citations and a reference list, and a brief statement of substantial AI involvement if applicable. These guidelines support careful publication and are not an academic credential test.