In an effort to encourage more men to write, the Marriage Section formally annouces a call for anonymous submissions.
We’ve done this in the past, although not as formally. The Marriage Section is now opening itself up to consider anonymous submissions from any author; while we mean to encourage men to write more about marriage, we’ll certainly consider anonymous submissions from women. We look at marriage with the widest possible lens and include all tertiary subjects: divorce, separation, cohabitation, shotgun weddings, etc.
Interested writers should follow these instructions:
Read the submissions guidelines
The guidelines are here. We’re actually hoping this opportunity encourages men who have never written an essay or article to attempt one. However, before you start writing, send us a message:
Pitch first
Please write to explain what you’re interested in writing. This will save all parties valuable time.
To push people who might already be finding themselves inspired, we’ll offer these further guidelines:
What are we looking for?
This is not an exhaustive list. It’s meant to present ideas. Sincere and mature personal essays on topics like these are welcome and encouraged:
Unmet expectations
Sexual dysfunction or difficulty
Withheld sex
Vindictive or obsessive spending sprees
Sudden (perhaps orchestrated) changes in a spouse’s personality
The pain of a gossiping spouse
A sudden or surprising demand for divorce
Illness (mental or otherwise)
Addiction
Feeling trapped, deceived or disenfranchised
Any form of infidelity
Arranged marriages
Socially ostracized couples
Couples isolated from families
A workaholic spouse
A spouse who refuses to look for work
Feeling tricked
Feeling silenced
Being forced to marry
Marriages entered for reasons other than love
Conversely, perhaps there are authors who wish to remain anonymous because they fear an attack from cynics who’ll discount their harmony and joy. We’d love to consider any of the following:
Satisfied expectations
The discovery of platonic love
Dedication to an asexual spouse
Dedication to a spouse whose physiology or injuries make sex impossible
Rediscovery of love in an empty nest
A marriage sincerely solidified through faith
Successful treatment of a dysfunction
Successful treatment of an addiction
A marriage saved by a sexual discovery
Successful counseling
An epiphany of any variety
Forgiveness following betrayal
Rediscovery of love following the death of a child
Portraits of peaceful, simple but compassionate life
We’re willing to consider any topic when written well and presented in a mature and sincere manner.
What aren’t we looking for?
As we’ve seen, marriage is a complex and sensitive topic. The purpose of any essay here should be to illuminate, educate, provoke and share. Criticism is fine, as is a portrait of a demon, but an abject lack of empathy is problematic. We’re not looking to publish rants, expressions of senseless rage or diatribes about religious or cultural “truths” or cliches. Venues for such things already exist.
We hope this call for submissions inspires some people to express themselves and to further the discussion about marriage. Courage!
Photo by Nasir Nasrallah
I am interested in educating men on how to either stay empowered in their relationship or to find out how they can become empowered. Being empowered is not just for women. It needs some attention I believe and can speak from years of experience with male and couples’ clients.
Thanks
Alison Leigh, MFT