Submit Your Stories
Want to Write for xoNecole?
We're always looking for new writers who have a story to share. If you're interested in submitting to xoNecole, please read these submissions guidelines thoroughly first!
Who is xoNecole?
At xoNecole, we're all about storytelling.
The journeys of women of color are filled with inspiration, life lessons, and reminders of our fierce independence. The xoNecole community thrives because of readers and writers who lend their voices and stir discussion.
The xoNecole reader is a mover and shaker. She's up on trends, she's a self-starter, and a supportive soul sister. She wants to know what's hot in beauty and fashion, as well as important changes in our community that affect our daily lives. She wants to know what shows to tune into, what interviews were dropping gems, and what relationship or dating advice can lead her to love.
Most of all - she wants to have fun.
We love to share inspirational stories that uplift our readers and remind them of the amazing things we're all capable of. We keep it real, but always with a note of positivity and encouragement.
In a world full of triggers, xoNecole is your safe space. Come in, stretch out, and be you.
What We Love
Let's talk about the things that shape our world! We love personal essays about life experiences that, perhaps, push the envelope on popular opinions or challenge a social norm. We love well-researched opinions of breaking news.
Don't just tell us what happened - tell us why we should care and how it affected you.
Topics we love include: trends in beauty and fashion, career advice, positive takeaways from difficult situations, the post-college transition, dating and relationship advice, and fresh takes on marriage and family. We want you to bare your soul, share your ideas, and open up discussion.
For your reference, check out some of our past favorites below:
- I Broke Up With My Boyfriend After Four Years And A Year Later He Became The Love Of My Life
- How Moving Overseas Helped Me Pay Off Over 200K In American Debt
- When Your Life In Pictures Isn't Your Reality
- I Have An Insatiable Appetite for Sex
- The Truth About How Men Handle Heartbreak
- 'Don't Be A Wife to A Boyfriend': 10 Lessons I Learned When I Was Single
- My Parents Made Me Think I Was White My Whole Life
What We Don't Love
Who wore it best? Why you think men are trash? No thanks! xoNecole is not the place to get catty or spark argumentative narratives. We also do not publish prose, poetry or fictional works.
Not a Writer, But Have a Story to Tell?
xoNecole puts out weekly call-to-actions for stories from the community based on specific themes we're interested in exploring. If you are responding to a call to action, please send your full story in the email with as much detail as possible. If we are interested, one of our editors will reach out to work with you on publishing your story.
Call-to-action submissions are not paid.
If this is your first time submitting to xoNecole, please keep the following in mind:
- We prefer full drafts on the first pitch so we can get an idea of your writing style and ability to build a readable narrative.
- Keep it light! Even when the topic is heavy, we want to see the inspirational takeaway.
- A sweet spot for length is between 400-600 words for editorial pitches and 600-900 words for personal essays.
- We require the first piece from writers to be on a trial basis! We would love to see how well your writing does with our audience before we bring you on as a regular contributor.
- Send your submissions to submissions@xonecole.com
- Put your proposed title in the subject line - keep it snappy and eye catching. Check out our current content to get an idea of how we like to structure headlines.
- Include writing samples, if applicable! We would love to see your versatility.
ItGirl 100 Honors Black Women Who Create Culture & Put On For Their Cities
As they say, create the change you want to see in this world, besties. That’s why xoNecole linked up with Hyundai for the inaugural ItGirl 100 List, a celebration of 100 Genzennial women who aren’t afraid to pull up their own seats to the table. Across regions and industries, these women embody the essence of discovering self-value through purpose, honey! They're fierce, they’re ultra-creative, and we know they make their cities proud.
VIEW THE FULL ITGIRL 100 LIST HERE.
Don’t forget to also check out the ItGirl Directory, featuring 50 Black-woman-owned marketing and branding agencies, photographers and videographers, publicists, and more.
THE ITGIRL MEMO
I. An ItGirl puts on for her city and masters her self-worth through purpose.
II. An ItGirl celebrates all the things that make her unique.
III. An ItGirl empowers others to become the best versions of themselves.
IV. An ItGirl leads by example, inspiring others through her actions and integrity.
V. An ItGirl paves the way for authenticity and diversity in all aspects of life.
VI. An ItGirl uses the power of her voice to advocate for positive change in the world.
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Exclusive: Koryn Hawthorne On Her Miraculous Love Story: ‘I Was Never A Girlfriend’
Gospel singer Koryn Hawthorne has used her voice to let the world know about what God can do, and now the Season 8 finalist of NBC’s The Voice is sharing a miraculous act that led to her engagement.
The Praise This actress shared in an interview with xoNecole that prior to becoming engaged to her partner, Hunter Register, she passed over one particular title on her way to becoming a fiancée.
“I was never a girlfriend,” Hawthorn, 26, tells xoNecole.
“We've known each other since we were kids, so we just kind of always had this distant friendship. We would hit each other up on social media, and [I] slide up under things that he was posting,” she says. “We ended up hanging out together, and when we hung out, it was an instant immediate connection from all fronts. I think we just knew from the first day that I don't want to spend a day apart from you.”
Koryn Hawthorne On Her Miraculous Love Story, New Album, & More
She continued, "And yeah, we probably were boyfriend or girlfriend after — am I delusional? Then we were engaged a few months later.”
The Grammy-nominated singer, who became engaged in November of 2023, went on to share what her experience has been preparing to become a wife, exploring the personal growth, challenges, and emotions experienced throughout the process.
“It's a journey, I'm not gonna lie,” she says. “Relationships, in general, are hard, and whenever you think about marriage, is just different from being boyfriend and girlfriend because if you piss me off, I could just go,” she shared. “But marriage is an actual commitment. It's a partnership. It's a ministry.”
Hawthorne, 26, and Register, 27, were childhood friends growing up in Louisiana and sealed their love during a weekend getaway in New Orleans last fall.
For the gospel star, marriage involves more than lovely-dovey aspects, emphasizing how her relationship has allowed her to grow, mature, and learn valuable lessons through love.
“We were supposed to get married in May, but like for us to be mature enough to be like, ‘You know what? No, let's take the necessary time to make sure that we're fully prepared for this commitment such a beautiful thing,” Hawthorne reflected.
“It's a learning curve for sure, but our preparation for marriage would have been the only thing that brought this out of me. It's hard and it's scary at times, but it's God's purpose and His plan for our lives.”
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Featured image by Dia DipasupilGetty Images