Submit to Lily & Sparrow

Thank you for your interest in contributing to Lily & Sparrow. We welcome thoughtful, original work that aligns with our mission to support people in their growth in the practice of contemplative prayer and spiritual formation.

What We Accept:

We invite submissions in the following categories:

Reflective essays
Creative nonfiction
Poetry
Visual art or photography
Book reviews

Submissions should be previously unpublished, unless otherwise arranged.

Guidelines:

Length:
- Essays: 800–1,500 words
- Poetry: up to 3 poems (no more than 100 lines total)
- Reviews: 200–1,000 words
Format:
- Please submit as a Word document or Google Doc (no PDFs)
- Use 12 pt. font, double-spaced (for prose)

Images:

Visual submissions should be high-resolution and accompanied by a short artist’s statement

Style & Voice:

We value work that is honest, grounded, and contemplative. We welcome pieces that thoughtfully explore contemplative living and discipleship in the Christian tradition.

How to Submit:

Use the form at the bottom of this page or send your submission to Canon Emily Bruner Doane, dean@thescd.org.
Include your name, a short bio (50–100 words), and any relevant links (personal website, social media, etc.).
Simultaneous submissions are welcome, but please notify us immediately if your work is accepted elsewhere.

Response Time:

We aim to respond within 4–6 weeks. If you haven’t heard from us after that time, feel free to send a gentle follow-up.

Rights & Publication:

We request first publication rights and the right to archive your work on our website. After publication, all rights revert to the author. If republished elsewhere, we simply ask that you credit Lily & Sparrow as the original publisher.

Questions?
We’re happy to clarify. Please reach out to dean@thescd.org.

Thank you for entrusting us with your work—we are honored that you would consider Lily & Sparrow as a place to share your voice, thoughts, and ideas with the diocesan community.