openAPen is a literary publication built around one idea: writing should be open. We publish essays, poetry, short fiction, and reflective non-fiction from contributors around the world.
Our mission
To give thoughtful writers a clean, curated home for their work — and to give readers a calm corner of the internet that respects their attention.
How it works
- Aspiring authors apply to join through our Become an Author page.
- Our editors review each application, looking for clear voice and original thought.
- Approved authors submit their work; every article is reviewed before publishing.
- Once published, articles are preserved as part of our archive.
Editorial standards
We publish original writing that is the work of the contributor. We do not publish plagiarized, AI-spun, or hateful content. We respect copyright. Submissions that include claims of fact must cite reasonable sources.
Get in touch
Questions, story tips, or partnership ideas? Use our contact page — we read everything.