Dear Reader,

Over the last couple years since we began publishing Speak Up Mag online, you’ve had the opportunity to read many dozens of stories written by people facing homelessness. Their pieces have been rich, funny, shocking, and surprising.

Here are a few highlights:

Think Better — Angel Williams

The Cigarette Cartel — Mark Gansert

Suddenly Homeless — Lynn Mendes

Thank you to the dozens of courageous writers who have shared these thoughtful and vulnerable episodes from your lives. Much respect. Much love.

Now we are looking for pieces written by anyone about encounters with folks facing homelessness.

We want to present other angles of the homeless experience—and need your voice to do it.

To start, there’s no limiting criteria.

The tone of your piece can be upbeat and sunny or bleak and gritty. It can have a happy ending or conclude without resolution. You can share about a long-term friendship or a one-time encounter. Maybe this person is a family member, a familiar sidewalk presence, or a passing stranger. The story you are carrying may not be a happy one. Or it could be unexpectedly hopeful.

Bottom line: authentic and real.

Ideal length starts at 400 words minimum, with no upper limit.

Send your piece in the body of an email or as an attachment to write@speakupmag.com.

Thank you!