Editorial Standards
At InkWell, we believe in content that is authoritative, engaging, and genuinely useful. Our editorial guidelines ensure consistency across all published material while giving writers the creative freedom to express their unique perspectives.
These guidelines were last reviewed and updated on December 1, 2024. Please review them periodically for changes.
Tone & Voice
Our content should reflect a balance between professional expertise and approachable writing. We aim to educate, inspire, and spark meaningful discussion.
- Use active voice and clear, concise language
- Maintain an encouraging and inclusive tone
- Support claims with data, examples, or citations
- Address the reader directly ("you") when appropriate
- Write at a 9th-11th grade reading level
- Use overly technical jargon without explanation
- Include biased, offensive, or discriminatory language
- Make unsupported claims or use clickbait headlines
- Write in a passive or robotic tone
- Copy content from other sources without attribution
Content Structure
Every article should follow a logical structure that guides the reader from introduction to conclusion. Here's our recommended framework:
| Section | Purpose | Guidelines |
|---|---|---|
| Introduction | Hook the reader and set context | 150-250 words. State the problem or topic clearly. Include a thesis or preview of key points. |
| Body Paragraphs | Develop arguments and provide value | Use H2/H3 headings for subtopics. Include examples, data, and expert insights. Keep paragraphs under 150 words. |
| Key Takeaways | Summarize main points | Bullet-point list of 3-5 key insights. Place before conclusion for quick scanning. |
| Conclusion | Wrap up and call to action | Summarize the value provided. End with a thoughtful question or clear CTA. 100-150 words. |
Always include at least one practical example or case study in longer articles. Readers love actionable insights they can apply immediately.
Formatting Rules
Consistent formatting makes content more readable and professional. Follow these rules to ensure your articles meet InkWell's quality standards.
Headings & Hierarchy
Use a clear heading structure to organize your content. This helps with readability and SEO.
- H1: Article title only (auto-generated from submission)
- H2: Major sections (minimum 2, maximum 6)
- H3: Subsections under H2 (optional)
- H4-H6: Avoid using these in blog posts
Heading Guidelines:
- Use sentence case for headings (only first word and proper nouns capitalized)
- Keep headings under 60 characters when possible
- Make headings descriptive and benefit-driven
- Use numbers in headings when listing items (e.g., "5 Ways to...")
Images & Media
Visual content breaks up text and increases engagement. All articles should include relevant images.
All images must be original, royalty-free, or properly licensed. AI-generated images are acceptable but must be disclosed. Never use images with watermarks or unclear copyright.
Image Specifications
| Type | Size | Format | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Featured Image | 1200Ã630px | JPG/PNG/WebP | Used for social sharing and post thumbnails |
| In-Content Images | 800Ã450px or larger | JPG/PNG/WebP | Include alt text describing the image |
| Author Avatar | 200Ã200px | JPG/PNG | Square crop, clear face or logo |
Alt Text Guidelines
Every image must have descriptive alt text for accessibility and SEO. Follow these rules:
- Describe what's in the image concisely (under 125 characters)
- Include relevant keywords naturally
- Avoid "Image of..." or "Photo of..." prefixes
- Decorative images should have empty alt text (alt="")
Good: Developer typing code on laptop in coffee shop
Bad: img_1234.jpg or Photo of person working
SEO & Metadata
Search engine optimization helps your content reach a wider audience. All submissions must include proper metadata.
Article Title
- Keep titles between 50-60 characters
- Include primary keyword near the beginning
- Make it compelling and click-worthy
- Avoid all caps or excessive punctuation
Meta Description
Write a compelling meta description that summarizes the article and encourages clicks.
- Length: 150-160 characters
- Include primary keyword naturally
- Use action-oriented language
- Clearly state what readers will learn or gain
Before submitting, verify: keyword in title, keyword in first 100 words, meta description written, images have alt text, internal links added, URL slug is clean.
Internal Linking
Link to at least 2-3 other relevant InkWell articles to help readers discover more content. This also improves site structure and SEO.
Submission Process
We welcome contributions from our community. Follow this process to submit your article for review.
Step 1: Pitch Your Idea
Before writing a full article, we recommend submitting a brief pitch. Include:
- Proposed title and topic
- Target audience
- Brief outline (3-5 bullet points)
- Your expertise or experience with the topic
Step 2: Write & Format
Once approved, write your article following our guidelines. Use our writing template or submit as a Google Doc, Markdown file, or Word document.
Step 3: Submit for Review
Submit your draft through our portal. Our editorial team will review within 3-5 business days. We may request revisions or provide feedback.
Step 4: Publication
After final approval, your article will be scheduled for publication. You'll receive a notification when it goes live and can share it on your social channels.
Expect 5-10 business days from submission to publication depending on revision rounds. Urgent submissions can be prioritized with advance notice.
Community Guidelines
InkWell fosters a respectful, inclusive, and constructive community. These guidelines apply to all interactions, including comments, discussions, and social media.
Be Respectful
Treat all members with dignity and respect. Disagreements are welcome, but personal attacks, harassment, or hate speech are strictly prohibited.
We have zero tolerance for harassment, discrimination, or threats based on race, gender, sexuality, religion, disability, or any other protected characteristic. Violations result in immediate account suspension.
Be Constructive
- Provide thoughtful feedback and engage in meaningful discussion
- Support claims with evidence or personal experience
- Avoid trolling, spamming, or off-topic comments
- Report content that violates these guidelines
Respect Intellectual Property
All published content on InkWell is protected by copyright. You may share links to articles, but do not reproduce content without permission. Writers retain ownership of their work but grant InkWell a non-exclusive license to publish and distribute.
| Allowed | Not Allowed |
|---|---|
| Sharing article links on social media | Copying full articles to other websites |
| Quoting short excerpts with attribution | Reposting images without permission |
| Referencing ideas and giving credit | Using AI to mass-generate comments |
Frequently Asked Questions
How long should my article be?
We accept articles between 800-3,000 words. Short-form content (under 800 words) may be considered for quick tips or news updates. Long-form guides (3,000+ words) are welcome for in-depth topics.
Can I submit to multiple categories?
Yes, if your content genuinely spans multiple categories. However, choose a primary category and mention secondary ones in your pitch.
Do I get paid for contributions?
Currently, InkWell is a non-paid publication. Contributors benefit from exposure, backlinks, and portfolio building. We may introduce monetization programs in the future.
Can I use AI to write my article?
AI can assist with research, outlining, or editing, but the final content must be written and reviewed by a human. All AI usage must be disclosed. Pure AI-generated content will be rejected.
Contact our editorial team at guidelines@inkwell.com or join our community Discord for real-time support.
Ready to Write for InkWell?
Join our community of writers and share your expertise with thousands of readers. Submit your first pitch today.