Hamsat Submission Guidelines

1. Guidelines

Hamsat is a bilingual online magazine that amplifies Arab voices through storytelling, poetry, reflection, and insightful content. We welcome contributions that are honest, expressive, personal, or helpful — pieces that make readers feel seen, understood, or inspired. We believe that real stories and raw emotion have the power to connect us. Whether you’re writing about your journey, a lesson learned, or a perspective worth sharing, Hamsat is your space to be heard. Who Can Submit Anyone can submit to Hamsat. You do not need to be a professional writer — all we ask is that your words are authentic and original. Submissions are accepted in both Arabic and English, and you may submit your piece in both languages if you choose to write a bilingual version. What We Publish We publish a variety of original content, including personal stories, thoughtful reflections, emotional essays, practical articles, creative nonfiction, and poetry. The voice can be emotional, intellectual, or conversational — as long as it’s real and meaningful. We are particularly interested in submissions that explore themes like personal growth, healing, identity, relationships, or life transitions. However, we also welcome helpful or inspiring articles that offer value to readers in areas like health, creativity, mental wellness, or lifestyle. We do not publish political, religious, or news-based content. What We Don’t Accept We do not accept previously published material, including content that has appeared on personal blogs or social media. All work must be your own and written entirely by you — no plagiarism, AI-generated content, or fictional stories passed off as real. We also do not accept submissions that include hate speech, discriminatory language, graphic or explicit content, or misinformation. Submission Requirements All submissions must be between 500 and 1,500 words, whether prose, poetry, or nonfiction. We only publish original work that has not appeared elsewhere. Once accepted and published on Hamsat, your piece may not be republished in any form on any other platform, including personal blogs or social media. Images and Visuals Each article may include one image only, which will appear as the featured image (such as in the article link preview or homepage). Adding a photo is optional, but highly encouraged. Images must be high-resolution, visually appealing, and free of copyright restrictions. You may submit an original image that you own or select one from a free stock photo site that offers images for commercial use. Please ensure the photo fits the tone and content of your piece. If you do not include a photo, our editorial team will select one that matches your article. We also reserve the right to replace the image you submit if it does not meet our standards or match the overall visual style of Hamsat. You can find free, high-quality images on the following sites:

- Unsplash
- Pexels
- Pixabay

Editorial Process We perform light editing for grammar, clarity, and formatting while preserving your voice and message. Submissions that require major revision may be declined. We may also adjust titles or structure to suit our editorial tone. We do not provide personal feedback for declined submissions, and we are unable to notify contributors if their piece is not accepted. How to Submit Please use the official submission form on our website. Submissions via email or social media will not be accepted. You may also include a short author bio (2–3 lines), a profile photo, and social media handles if you wish to be credited with your work. If your submission is accepted, you will be notified by email when it is scheduled to publish. If your piece is not accepted, you will not receive a reply. Final Note At Hamsat, we are not looking for polished perfection — we are looking for truth. Your story doesn’t have to be dramatic or profound. If it’s sincere, personal, and written with heart, it belongs here. Let your whispers awaken hearts. Let it start with Hamsat.

2. Visual Submissions

Photography – Art – Illustration Not every story needs words. Sometimes, a single image can hold the ache of a thousand thoughts — a quiet moment, a buried truth, or a memory brought to light. Hamsat invites Arab visual artists, illustrators, and photographers to share the whispers only your eyes can see. Whether it’s a captured emotion, a brushstroke of healing, or a visual journal of your inner world — this space is yours. We welcome a wide range of visual expression, including expressive photography that captures portraits, everyday life, or symbolic and emotional scenes; and artwork created digitally or through traditional methods such as painting, sketching, or mixed media. Conceptual or emotionally-driven illustrations that convey inner states, memories, or healing are also welcome. All submitted work must be original, created by you, and must not have been published elsewhere. We do not accept AI-generated visuals, copied material, or anything that includes political, religious, explicit, or graphic content. Submitted images must be high-resolution (JPEG or PNG format), free of watermarks or logos, and ideally accompanied by a short title or description. You must fully own the image; you retain all copyrights, but grant Hamsat permission to publish it if accepted. Why submit? Because your art deserves to be seen — not as decoration, but as truth. Because someone, somewhere, might feel understood through an image you created. Because Hamsat is a home for honest voices, whether whispered through words, color, or light. To submit, please upload your artwork or photography using the submission form below. You may also include a short artist bio, your social media handles or website, and an optional reflection about your piece. If your visual work is accepted, you will be notified by email. All accepted visuals will be credited to you and treated with care and respect.