We Want to Hear From You
Zehn welcomes submissions from Pakistani and Pakistani American writers, poets, and scholars. We're looking for work that reflects the depth and diversity of our experiences.
What We're Looking For
Essays
- Personal narratives and memoirs
- Cultural commentary and criticism
- Academic pieces (accessible to general readers)
- Opinion pieces on contemporary issues
- Historical reflections and family stories
Length: 1,000-4,000 words
Poetry
- Original poems in English, Urdu, or other languages
- Translations of your own work
- Spoken word pieces
- Poetry collections (3-5 related poems)
- Experimental and traditional forms welcome
Length: Individual poems or collections up to 300 lines
Interviews & Conversations
- Profiles of community members
- Artist and writer interviews
- Oral history projects
- Collaborative conversations
- Panel discussion transcripts
Length: 2,000-6,000 words
Submission Guidelines
General Requirements
- Original Work: All submissions must be original and previously unpublished
- Simultaneous Submissions: We accept simultaneous submissions, but please notify us immediately if your work is accepted elsewhere
- Author Identity: Contributors should identify as Pakistani or Pakistani American, or be writing from deep cultural knowledge and community connection
- Languages: We welcome work in English, Urdu, and other South Asian languages (with English translations)
- Accessibility: We're committed to making our content accessible and welcome submissions that address disability, accessibility, and inclusion
Formatting Guidelines
- File Format: .doc, .docx, or .pdf files
- Font: Times New Roman or similar, 12-point font
- Spacing: Double-spaced for prose, single-spaced for poetry
- Header: Include your name, email, and word count on the first page
- Bio: Include a brief author bio (50-100 words) in your email
- Images: If submitting visual poetry or multimedia work, include high-resolution images as separate files
Rights and Payment
Zehn acquires first digital rights to publish your work on our platform. Authors retain all other rights. We are working toward paying contributors and will update our payment structure as we grow.
Published pieces will remain archived on our site. We may feature excerpts in social media and promotional materials with proper attribution.
How to Submit
Email Submission
Send your submission to: zehnlitsubmissions@gmail.com
Email Subject Line Format:
[TYPE] Title of Work - Author Name
Examples: [ESSAY] Between Two Worlds - Amara Khan | [POETRY] Monsoon Collection - Farid Ahmad
Include in Your Email:
- Brief cover letter introducing yourself and your work
- Author bio (50-100 words)
- Your submission as an attachment
- Any relevant links (website, social media, previous publications)
Response Timeline
We aim to respond to all submissions within 4-6 weeks. Due to volume, we can only respond personally to accepted pieces, but all contributors will receive a confirmation of receipt.
Editorial Process
Our editorial team reviews all submissions carefully. We're looking for:
- Authentic voice and personal perspective
- Cultural relevance to Pakistani and Pakistani American experiences
- Literary quality and compelling storytelling
- Fresh perspectives on familiar themes
- Accessibility to diverse audiences
Accepted pieces may undergo light editing for clarity, length, and style consistency. We'll work collaboratively with authors throughout the editing process.
Questions?
If you have questions about the submission process, want to pitch an idea, or need clarification on our guidelines, don't hesitate to reach out:
General Questions
zehnlitsubmissions@gmail.com
Pitch an Idea
Send us your concept before writing
Collaboration
Interested in joint projects?
Ready to Submit?
We're excited to read your work and share your voice with our community.
Send Your Submission