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Understanding AARP's Story Submission Process

AARP publishes stories from readers across the country in various publications and platforms. The organization welcomes submissions from people of all ages who want to share their experiences, perspectives, and life lessons. This guide provides information about how AARP accepts story submissions and what the process involves.

AARP Magazine, AARP Bulletin, and AARP.org receive thousands of submissions each year from writers who want to contribute to the organization's publications. The stories that appear in these venues come from real people sharing authentic experiences—not professional journalists or staff writers. This means AARP values the voices of ordinary individuals who have something meaningful to communicate.

Understanding the submission process helps writers prepare materials that match what AARP is looking for. Different AARP publications have different needs and formats. Some focus on personal essays, others on health experiences, relationships, hobbies, or life transitions. A story that works well for AARP Magazine may not be suitable for AARP.org's online platform, so knowing which venue fits your story matters.

The submission process itself is relatively straightforward. Writers send their stories through designated channels, and AARP staff members review them. This review process takes time—AARP receives far more submissions than it can publish, so writers should expect to wait several weeks for a response. Understanding this timeline helps writers manage expectations and plan accordingly.

Practical Takeaway: Before you write or submit anything, spend time reading recent issues of AARP Magazine and browsing AARP.org. This research shows you the actual tone, length, and types of stories AARP currently publishes. You'll develop a clear sense of whether your story idea fits.

Types of Stories AARP Publishes and What Makes Them Stand Out

AARP publishes several categories of stories, each serving different reader interests. Personal essays form one major category—these are first-person accounts where writers reflect on a significant experience, relationship change, or life lesson. A personal essay might describe how someone overcame a challenge, learned something unexpected, or found meaning in an ordinary moment. These stories typically focus on emotional truth and what the experience meant to the writer.

Health and wellness stories represent another important category. These pieces describe personal experiences with medical conditions, caregiving, fitness achievements, or mental health journeys. AARP readers are often navigating health transitions, so stories that honestly address these topics resonate strongly. However, these stories should not provide medical advice or prescribe treatments. Instead, they share what one person experienced and learned.

Relationship and family stories also appear regularly in AARP publications. These might involve long marriages, reconnections with estranged family members, friendships that endured decades, or new relationships formed later in life. Stories about parenting grandchildren, caring for aging parents, or navigating life alone offer perspectives that AARP readers find relevant and moving.

Hobby, travel, and lifestyle stories celebrate what makes life interesting and purposeful. A writer might describe learning to paint at seventy, taking an unexpected trip, starting a business, volunteering in the community, or discovering a new passion. These stories inspire readers by showing the breadth of activities and pursuits available to people of all ages.

Stories that stand out typically include specific details and sensory information. Rather than saying "I felt nervous," strong stories show the reader what nervous looked like: shaking hands, a tight throat, sweat on the forehead. Dialogue between people makes stories more vivid and real. The best submissions also reveal something true about the human experience—a vulnerability, a discovery, or a moment of growth that readers can relate to their own lives.

Practical Takeaway: Identify which category best fits your story idea, then read three to five recently published AARP stories in that category. Notice the length, the level of detail, how the writer handles emotions, and how the story concludes. This gives you a concrete model to work from as you draft.

Technical Requirements and Formatting Guidelines

AARP has specific technical requirements for submissions. Most submissions should be between 500 and 1,500 words, though some venues accept longer or shorter pieces. Word count matters because AARP publications have fixed page space. A story that is 3,000 words is too long for most venues, while a 200-word submission may not allow enough room for meaningful detail and development.

The formatting of your submission document is important. AARP typically requests submissions as plain text or in standard word processor formats like Microsoft Word. The document should use a readable font such as Times New Roman or Arial in 12-point size. Double spacing makes the text easier for editors to read and leaves room for notes and edits. Margins should be one inch on all sides.

Your story should have a clear title that captures the main idea or emotion of the piece. The title should be engaging but not misleading. Instead of "My Life," a more effective title might be "The Summer I Learned to Say No" or "What My Mother's Recipes Taught Me." A good title gives readers a reason to read the story and hints at what they will discover.

At the end of your submission, include a brief author bio—typically 2-3 sentences. This bio should tell readers where you live, what you do, and possibly what you enjoy. For example: "Jane Smith lives in Portland, Oregon, with her husband and two dogs. She is a retired teacher who volunteers at the local literacy council and enjoys hiking and photography." This helps readers connect with you as the person behind the story.

Your submission should also include contact information: your full name, mailing address, phone number, and email address. Make sure your email address is one you check regularly, since AARP will likely contact you through email if they want to discuss your submission or request revisions.

Proofread your submission carefully before sending it. Check for spelling errors, grammatical mistakes, and punctuation problems. Read your work aloud to catch awkward phrases or unclear sentences. A polished submission shows respect for the editor's time and demonstrates that you take your writing seriously. Even excellent stories can be rejected if they contain numerous errors that distract from the content.

Practical Takeaway: Format a test document following AARP's guidelines, then paste your story into it. Check that the word count falls within acceptable ranges for your chosen venue. Have someone else read it for errors before you submit. This simple preparation increases the chances that your submission will receive serious consideration.

Where to Find and Complete Submission Information

AARP provides submission guidelines through multiple channels. The main AARP.org website contains a section dedicated to story submissions. This section outlines what types of stories the organization is currently seeking and provides specific submission instructions. Different AARP publications may have slightly different requirements, so checking the website for each publication you're targeting is important.

AARP Magazine and AARP Bulletin both accept submissions, though they may have different focus areas or lengths. AARP.org also accepts stories for its online platforms, including sections focused on caregiving, relationships, health, and personal essays. Each venue has its own editor and decision timeline, so submissions to one venue do not automatically go to others.

The submission guidelines will specify whether you should submit via email, through an online form, or by mail. Most AARP submissions are now handled electronically. When submitting by email, follow the instructions exactly—send to the correct email address, use the requested file format, include all required information in your email, and use a clear subject line.

If you cannot find current submission guidelines online, you can contact AARP directly through their main website. Look for contact information, which may include phone numbers, email addresses, or online contact forms. Customer service representatives can direct you to the right submission address for your specific story idea.

Some AARP publications accept simultaneous submissions, meaning you can send your story to multiple AARP venues at the same time. However, you should not submit the same story to non-AARP publications while it is under consideration by AARP. Most publications expect that you're not shopping the same piece around simultaneously. Check the guidelines to see what the specific publication prefers.

Keep a record of what you submit and when. Write down the publication name, the date you submitted, the story title, word count, and any contact information provided. This simple tracking helps you follow up appropriately and avoid confusion if you submit multiple stories over time.

Practical Takeaway: Visit AARP.org today and locate the submission guidelines page. Read