How to write for Lacuna — a beginner’s, step-by-step guide

Section 1 · Know the magazine

What Lacuna is and what they publish

Lacuna Magazine is an online publication that focuses on human-rights-oriented journalism, longform pieces, creative writing and commentary that “challenges indifference” and examines the structures behind injustice. Read their About and editorial pages to understand the tone and scope before you submit: they publish journalism, comment, interviews, fiction, reviews, multimedia and photography as long as it connects to human-rights themes and is accessible to a wide readership.

Key practical points:

• Lacuna welcomes unsolicited submissions and proposals from both new and established writers, artists and photographers (their “Write for Lacuna” guidance explains this). Keep that page open while preparing your pitch.
• The magazine is produced by the Centre for Human Rights in Practice (University of Warwick), which explains the focus on rights, justice, migration, and related policy and cultural stories.
• They run a regular Lacuna Writing Competition and student opportunities — excellent entry points for newer writers seeking editorial feedback and visibility.

Open these Lacuna pages right now while you plan: Want to write for Lacuna?, About Lacuna, Writing Competition.

Section 2 · Read actual Lacuna work

Reverse-engineer published pieces (do this before you pitch)

Before pitching, read at least 3–6 recent pieces that are close to your idea. Look for:

• Article structure (headline, deck, intro, sections, conclusion).
• How the author uses evidence: interviews, reports, statistics, personal testimony.
• Tone: Lacuna often balances compassion and analysis — avoid sensationalism.
• Multimedia: note how images, audio or links are used to support a story.

Section 3 · Find a Lacuna-shaped idea

From topic to tight story — three checks

Lacuna prefers pieces that examine human rights issues in a way that illuminates policy, lived experience, or cultural framing. Make your idea fit Lacuna by passing these three quick tests:

Section 4 · Build proof & samples

What to prepare before you submit

Lacuna editors will want to see you can finish a piece and write carefully about rights. Prepare:

• One full published sample — put a 1,000–2,000 word piece on your blog, Medium, Dev.to or another outlet. Preferably on a related topic (justice, migration, protest, rights) and including at least one interview or report citation.
• Two short clips (400–800 words) — short essays, explainers or reviews that show your range.
• Source list — a short bibliography for your pitch listing primary sources, NGOs, reports, and who you plan to interview.
• Work examples — if you have multimedia (photos, audio), make a small gallery or sound file with clear permissions and captions.

Section 5 · How to pitch (step-by-step)

Fill the submission fields with confidence

Lacuna’s “Want to write for Lacuna?” page explains they welcome unsolicited submissions and proposals. Use their contact/submissions flow (their site links to submission instructions and contact emails). Below is a practical, copy-pasteable pitch SOP and templates you can adapt.

Hello Lacuna editorial team,

I’d like to pitch a 1,200–1,500 word feature for Lacuna on how delays in asylum decision-making in [country/region] are affecting refugee children's schooling and long-term prospects.

Why this fits Lacuna:
• The story combines human testimony, policy analysis and educational data — it connects personal rights to structural policy.
• Lacuna readers will benefit from clear reporting that explains the policy choices and practical impacts.

Outline:
1. Lead: short case study of a child/family missing school due to asylum delays.
2. Policy background: how current immigration case timelines work and why they have lengthened.
3. Data: statistics from [NGO/report, link] showing trends in attendance, attainment.
4. Interviews: teachers, NGO worker, one parent — voices showing day-to-day impact.
5. Analysis: how policy choices link to harms and what changes have been proposed.
6. Conclusion: practical policy steps and ways readers can support advocacy.

Sources & timing:
• Planned interviews: [Name, role, org] — I have contact details for two local NGOs willing to help.
• Documents: [report link], [government guidance link].
• I can deliver a first draft in 3–4 weeks.

Bio:
[Two-line bio, 1–2 sample links (blog/clip), contact email/phone]

Thanks for considering this idea — I’m happy to adapt length or focus to fit editorial needs.

Best,
[Your name]

Section 6 · Ethics, consent & safety

Writing responsibly about people and rights

Human-rights reporting often involves vulnerable people. Editors will look for evidence you can report safely. Important rules — follow them strictly:

Section 7 · Student roles & writing competitions

How to use Lacuna’s programs to get published

Lacuna runs competitions and sometimes recruits student artists or interns. These are low-friction ways to get editorial feedback and a byline. Practical steps:

• Enter the Lacuna Writing Competition if you’re eligible — follow the submission email/address rules listed in the announcement.
• If you’re at the University of Warwick (or a partner institution), watch for paid student roles and placement opportunities announced on Lacuna’s blog.
• Use writing competitions as disciplined practice — they force you to produce a finished piece under a deadline, which editors value.

Section 8 · Money, rights & republishing

Will Lacuna pay? What to expect about rights

Smaller independent magazines differ in payment practices. Lacuna’s public pages emphasise editorial support, competitions and student roles; some opportunities may be unpaid fellowship or competition-based prizes while others can be commissioned. If payment is essential for you, ask about fees before accepting an assignment, or use competitions and student roles as stepping stones toward paid commissions elsewhere.

When you submit a pitch ask about: payment (if any), rights (first rights vs. exclusive), and if you can republish on your site after an exclusivity period. Keep these terms in writing.

If Lacuna offers specific paid roles (e.g., student artist commissions or paid internships), the job announcement will include payment details. Use the contact or jobs pages to ask specific payment questions before you sign a contract.

Section 9 · Final checklist + sample outlines

Everything to tick off before you hit send

Section 10 · FAQ & Resources (links)

Quick answers and where to read more