Editorial Guidelines

Every piece on InkWell should feel authentic, authoritative, and accessible. We aim to educate and inspire without talking down to our readers.

Well-structured articles keep readers engaged and improve comprehension. Follow this framework for consistency:

1. Hook/Intro (100-150 words): Clearly state the problem, question, or premise. Tell the reader why it matters.
2. Body Sections: Use logical progression. Group related ideas under descriptive H2/H3 headings.
3. Conclusion/CTA (80-120 words): Summarize key takeaways. Provide actionable next steps or thought-provoking questions.

Use transitions between paragraphs to maintain flow. Avoid abrupt topic shifts.

Consistent formatting makes content scannable and readable across all devices.

• Word Count: 800–2,500 words (feature articles may go up to 4,000 with editorial approval)
• Paragraphs: Keep to 3–5 lines max. Break up walls of text.
• Headings: Use H2 for main sections, H3 for subsections. No H1 in body content.
• Bold & Italic: Use sparingly for emphasis or key terms. Never use for entire sentences.
• Lists: Use for steps, features, or comparisons. Ensure each item is parallel in structure.

We prioritize originality, accuracy, and ethical publishing practices.

• Original Work: All submissions must be unpublished and written exclusively for InkWell.
• Fact-Checking: Verify all statistics, quotes, and claims with primary sources. Provide inline citations where applicable.
• AI Disclosure: AI-assisted drafting is allowed only if disclosed in the submission notes. AI-generated text without human editing is not accepted.
• No Plagiarism: Run drafts through our internal checker. Paraphrasing requires attribution.
• Conflict of Interest: Disclose any sponsorships, affiliations, or financial ties related to the topic.

Visuals enhance storytelling but must meet licensing and technical requirements.

• Resolution: Minimum 1200px wide. Optimal: 1920×1080px for hero images.
• Licensing: Use original photos, CC0 licenses, or paid stock. Never use copyrighted material without permission.
• Alt Text: Required for all images. Describe content accurately for accessibility.
• File Naming: Use kebab-case: `topic-subject-source.jpg`

Great content deserves to be found. Optimize for both search engines and human readers.

• Title: Max 60 characters. Include primary keyword naturally.
• Meta Description: 150–160 characters. Clear value proposition + keyword.
• Keywords: Use 1–2 primary keywords naturally. Avoid stuffing.
• Internal Links: Link to 2–3 relevant existing InkWell articles.
• External Links: Link to authoritative sources (.edu, .gov, or industry leaders).
• Readability: Target Flesch Reading Ease of 60+. Use Hemingway or Grammarly for checks.

Every submission goes through a structured editorial workflow to maintain quality.

1. Submission: Upload draft via the writer portal with all required metadata.
2. Initial Review (24–48h): Editor checks for alignment, originality, and formatting.
3. Revision Round: You'll receive tracked comments and requested changes.
4. Final Approval: Once approved, we schedule publication and prepare promotional assets.
5. Publication & Promotion: Article goes live. You'll receive a performance report after 7 days.

Unclear about a guideline? Need clarification on a specific topic? Our editorial team is here to help.

• Email: editorial@inkwell.com
• Slack Community: #editorial-guidelines (for writers)
• Office Hours: Wednesdays, 2–4 PM EST (Zoom link in portal)

We appreciate your commitment to quality. Thank you for helping us build a trusted platform for thoughtful writing.