Solo Women Travelers, Bold Journeys: Stories of Healing, Resilience, and Self-Discovery
Are you a woman over 40 who has boldly traveled solo to heal, grow, or find new confidence? We are looking for true stories from women who have embarked on transformative solo journeys—stories that inspire, resonate, and showcase resilience. If your travel experiences include stepping out of your comfort zone, venturing across the street or across the globe, and experiencing genuine transformation, we want to hear from you!
Submission Guidelines:
Story Length: No more than 1,200 words. Poems are also welcome.
Format: Times New Roman, double-spaced, submitted as a Word document (.doc or .docx), not PDF.
Perspective: First-person narratives only. Every part of your story must be true.
Editing: Some light editing may occur.
Privacy: While we do not allow “composite characters,” you may change the names of people mentioned in your story for privacy. You may also use a pen name or initials if needed for safety.
Authenticity: Stories generated exclusively using AI (artificial intelligence) in whole or in part will not be accepted, but AI may be a terrific way to get writing prompts to get you going. Fact-checking or research assistance is fine, or brainstorming the outline of your work, but the core narrative must be your own.
Previously Published Work: We cannot accept stories that have been published elsewhere.
Diversity Encouraged: We strive for a collection as diverse as the women who travel. Submissions from individuals of all ethnicities, religions, and gender identities are warmly welcomed, and different levels of expertise in writing are welcome.
Submission Deadline:
August 1, 2025 OR until enough entries have been received.
What’s in it for you?
- If your story is selected, you’ll become a published author with your bio printed in the book.
- You’ll retain copyright for your story and can resell or self-publish it.
- Profits will benefit the YWCA, a nonprofit dedicated to empowering women and eliminating racism.
- A modest honorarium of $10 will be provided. Books will be available for purchase at a discount by each author.
- You’ll also have the opportunity to learn marketing techniques to promote your work, including the chance to be featured on Persistence U Podcast.
Selection Process:
Authors of selected stories will be notified via email. Due to the volume of submissions, we cannot respond to authors whose work is not selected.
Suggested Themes:
- Healing After Divorce or a Break-Up: How travel helped you rediscover yourself.
- A Time to Grieve: Whether it’s a death or dashed dreams, traveling may be the perfect time to unpack.
- Challenging Yourself and Finding Your Voice: Tales of personal growth and newfound strength.
- Connections Made During the Journey: Unforgettable relationships formed on the road.
- Imperfect Traveling and Lessons Learned: The unexpected mishaps that shaped your journey.
- Budget Solo Travel: Adventures on a shoestring budget that still led to incredible discoveries.
- Stepping Outside Your Comfort Zone: Venturing into unfamiliar cultures, landscapes, or challenges.
- Discovering Resilience Through Loss: Traveling through grief to find hope and strength.
- Reclaiming Life After Caring for Others: Prioritizing yourself through solo travel.
How to Submit:
Email your story to Lizbeth Meredith of PerSisters Press at Lizbeth@persistenceulizbeth.com by the deadline. Please ensure your submission adheres to all guidelines listed above.
Together, let’s create a powerful anthology of resilience, adventure, and transformation—an inspiring testament to the bold journeys of solo women travelers.