Mind Sprocket

We tell stories.

Mind Sprocket gives voice to simple and honest perspectives. We publish thoughts and experiences on our world. We tell stories.

Once upon a time, three adventurers set out on a journey over many foreign lands to discover a lost treasure. And they came back with something exclusively for you...

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Mind Sprocket is a magazine for the individual interested in life, perspectives, and a good story.

What we publish

As chief among the virtues of good writing, we value clarity and conciseness. Is it good writing? We’ll publish it.

We publish pieces that

tell a story engage discover truths find struggle and joy recount blood and bliss resonate with people speak with vivid honesty entertain inform show us your world tell a story

We do not publish pieces that

don’t tell a story rant angrily belong on a blog came from your term paper sound like a textbook or lecture bore people recite facts bloat with superfluous description don’t tell a story

Why Write For Us?

Submitting is easy

There are no submission fees, and no duplicate hard copies to mail along with a self addressed and stamped envelope. Simply e-mail it in.

Your voice matters

We want to read your piece and hear what you have to say. We value your words. But that’s not just us. So do our thousands of readers.

Community

Writers can get reclusive — for many of us, it’s the way we work. But all things in moderation. Our online forum and newsletter are great ways to get involved, get feedback, and share insights with other writers.

Become recognized

Writing can be a tricky business, and exposure is your greatest asset. Mind Sprocket has a wide audience that is exponentially growing. Take advantage of this and start on your road towards distinction.

Creative freedom

We aren’t a fashion magazine. We aren’t a cooking magazine. Mind Sprocket is a place where creative variety is prized and appreciated. Send us a humor piece, send us a sarcastic piece, send us something that will make us cry or ponder, and we will love you all the more.

Can’t think of a topic yet?

Of course, everything has been done already. But has it been done by you? With your voice? Your spin, your sarcasm, your humor, your clarity, your wit? Have you told your story?

Go somewhere new. People watch. Visit Mother Nature. Take a break. Read. Do crazy writing exercises, like writing without using “the”. Write a first draft that sucks. Lighten up. Allow yourself to write anything. Anything at all.

Get to it! Sit down. Write something you care about.

The Submission Process

  1. Put your article into our formatted submission form.
  2. E-mail the article to ilovetowrite@mindsprocket.com.
  3. Mind Sprocket Staff votes on the submission and sends acceptance/rejection.
  4. If accepted, article is copy and style edited and returned to you via e-mail.
  5. You return the revised article within one week.
  6. Steps 4 and 5 are repeated as necessary.
  7. You get published!

Book Recommendations

The Elements of Style, Strunk & White — The simple, potent, and delightfully direct author’s Bible.

Take Joy, Jane Yolen — A courageous manifesto on blood, sweat, writing, and joy.

Bird by Bird, Anne Lamott — Impolitely honest instructions on writing & life.

On Writing, Stephen King — A thorough yet concise discussion on a life’s worth of writing lessons.

Consider the Many Uses of Writing

Writing as revenge

Writing as persuasion

Writing as discovery

Writing as expression

Writing as art

Writing to try an identity

Writing to tell it like it is

Writing to hide what it is

Writing to remember

Writing to forget

Writing to share an experience

Writing to make up an experience

Writing to have an adventure

Writing to tell a good story

Tips (and some guidelines):


“Close the door. Write with no one looking over your shoulder. Don’t try to figure out what other people want to hear from you; figure out what you have to say. It’s the one and only thing you have to offer.”
— Barbara Kingsolver