Editorial Vision & Pitch Guidelines
Stories that connect. Voices that matter. Discover what Umbrella Splash publishes, what makes a strong pitch, and how to share your story with our readers.
Stories That Connect
A platform for ideas, creativity, and human experience.
Umbrella Splash Magazine is a platform for stories, ideas, creativity, and experiences that bring people together. We spotlight people who are creating, building, serving, overcoming, discovering, and making a difference in their communities. From entrepreneurs and veterans to artists, authors, families, food creators, animal companions, and storytellers, we believe every meaningful story can create connection.
What We Look For
Inspire
Stories of courage, resilience, creativity, purpose, personal growth, and possibility.
Inform
Useful ideas, knowledge, experiences, perspectives, and information readers can learn from.
Connect
Stories that bridge people, cultures, communities, generations, and experiences.
Create
Original art, photography, writing, recipes, ideas, and creative work that deserves a platform.
Our Editorial Pillars
People & Purpose
Human-interest stories, personal experiences, resilience, community, and heart.
Veterans & Military
Veterans, military families, service, transition, leadership, and experience.
Business & Ventures
Founders, entrepreneurs, leadership, innovation, and lessons learned.
Creativity & Art
Art, photography, filmmaking, writing, design, and creative careers.
Books & Ideas
Authors, books, publishing, and ideas expanding reader perspective.
Food & Culture
Recipes, culinary traditions, beverages, and cultural experiences.
Life & Wellness
Lifestyle, personal growth, resilience, home, and relationships.
Travel & Discovery
Destinations, cultural exploration, adventure, and global discovery.
What Makes a Strong Pitch?
Help our editorial team understand your idea quickly and see why it matters.
Start With the Story
Give us the central idea. Tell us what happened and who is involved.
Tell Us Why It Matters
Explain why this story matters now and why readers should care.
Know Your Reader
Tell us who will benefit from the story and what they will take away.
Bring Your Perspective
Your experience, expertise, or point of view should add value.
Keep It Focused
One strong story idea is better than multiple unrelated ideas in one pitch.
Give Us the Takeaway
Tell us what readers will learn, discover, or feel after reading.
The Pitch Formula
Standardized Framework
The Story
What happened? Give us the central story or idea.
The Why
Why does it matter? Explain why readers should care.
The Reader
Who will care? Identify the people who will benefit from your story.
The Angle
What makes it different? Show us your unique perspective.
The Takeaway
What should readers gain? Tell us what readers should learn or feel.
Before You Submit
- Original Work: Submit original work or work you have the legal right to publish.
- Proofread Your Submission: Check spelling, grammar, names, facts, and links.
- Include Required Information: Follow specific category requirements.
- High-Quality Images: Provide high-resolution files (300 DPI preferred).
- Provide Image Credits: Include photographer, artist, or credit rights.
- Disclose Previous Publication: Inform us if the work has been previously published.
Editorial Standards & AI Policy
We Expect
- Original and authentic work
- Accuracy and responsible reporting
- Respect for people and communities
- Proper image and content rights
- Appropriate attribution and credits
We Don’t Publish
- Plagiarized work
- Hate speech or discriminatory content
- Defamatory or knowingly false claims
- Material submitted without appropriate rights
- Misleading or intentionally deceptive content
AI & Originality
We recognize that technology and AI tools are increasingly part of the creative and editorial process. However, submitted work must represent the contributor’s own ideas, experience, perspective, and responsibility. AI-generated material should not be presented as original human writing or creative work. Contributors may be asked to disclose significant use of AI in developing submitted material.
Choose Your Submission Path
Select your submission category below to get started.
Entrepreneur & Author Interviews
Our interview series gives readers an inside look at the people, ideas, lessons, and experiences behind the work.
INTERVIEW REQUIREMENT: Answer a minimum of 12 questions with at least 1,200 words in combined answers.
Founder Stories
Open to founders and co-founders. Share your entrepreneurial journey, challenges, lessons, marketing strategies, and advice.
Author Stories
Open to authors of business books. Share your writing journey, publishing lessons, marketing strategies, and reader takeaways.