Submitting Stories: How to Contribute

A clear, text-only submission guide for educators and community members to propose guides, timelines, or profiles. Includes criteria, editorial standards, and a moderation overview to maintain quality and inclusion.

Why contribute to ABC Brooklyn

ABC Brooklyn is a community-forward archive of stories, guides, and timelines crafted to reflect Brooklyn’s rich tapestry. Your submissions help illuminate hidden corners, lift up diverse voices, and build an accessible resource for students, teachers, and curious neighbors. By sharing a neighborhood’s memory—whether through a guide to a local library, a timeline of migration, or a portrait of an everyday artist—you contribute to a living map of Brooklyn’s culture.

What we publish

Our text-first format prioritizes clarity, inclusivity, and verifiable detail. Submissions can take the form of:

  • Guides to neighborhoods, resources, or cultural sites
  • Timelines tracing neighborhood development and migrations
  • Profiles or oral histories from local artists, organizers, and residents

Each entry should be concise, well-sourced, and accessible to readers of diverse ages and backgrounds. Keep in mind our emphasis on plain language summaries and thoughtful context.

Submission criteria

  1. The piece should illuminate Brooklyn’s culture, people, places, or learning opportunities.
  2. Use straightforward language and clear structure. Provide a short summary at the top.
  3. verifiability: Include sources or verifiable details where possible; provide a simple bibliography or references list.
  4. voice & inclusivity: Reflect diverse perspectives; avoid jargon; be respectful and accessible.
  5. format alignment: Text-first entries designed for easy translation into guides, timelines, or profiles.

Editorial process at a glance

Submissions are reviewed by a small editorial team focused on accuracy, inclusivity, and educational value. Expect a brief acknowledgement after you submit, followed by feedback notes if revisions are needed. We aim for a transparent, constructive process that respects community voices.

How to submit

Use the dedicated submission pathway to propose a new guide, timeline, or profile. The form walks you through essential fields and offers tips to strengthen your entry.

  1. Provide a working title and a one-paragraph summary.
  2. Share the core content in clear, structured sections (context, people involved, places, dates).
  3. List sources and permissions for any quotes or archival material.
  4. Suggest a concise timeline or focal questions for readers.
  5. Submit for review; you’ll receive moderator feedback within the stated timeline.

Editorial guidelines: quick reference

  • Accessibility: include alt text for images if used elsewhere, and plain-language summaries accompany longer sections.
  • Attribution: name contributors and participants where possible; respect privacy and consent.
  • Consistency: follow a uniform structure across entries to help readers navigate easily.
  • Local context: situate stories within Brooklyn’s neighborhoods, history, and present-day life.

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