Submit to Readical — Book Reviews & Reflections that Apply the Page

Readical is where we apply the page. We take big ideas from books and test them against the real world—policy, platforms, and everyday life. Send a traditional book review or a book reflection that draws one clear insight from a book and applies it to a current event or cultural moment. See how we do it here:

Book Review

• The Anxious Generation — Jonathan Haidt → how a developmental psychology book explains today’s youth-media crisis.
• Jesus and John Wayne — Kristin Kobes Du Mez → A dissection of American evangelical masculinity — tracing how a cultural ideal of “biblical manhood” fused faith, politics, and militarism.

Book Reflection

• The Society of the Spectacle — and That Anime “O-Face” → how a 1960s theory still describes digital performance culture.
• Challenging My American Idealism → A personal reckoning with patriotism, media narratives, and inherited belief — questioning how ideals survive collision with reality.

Let’s demonstrate the value of knowledge, education, and its practical application — one idea, one book, one reflection at a time.

Submission Guidelines

What We Publish

• Book Reviews — critical, sourced analyses of a book’s argument and relevance today.
• Book Reflections — personal or analytical essays that apply one concept from a book to modern culture, politics, or social issues.
• Culture & Society Pieces — explorations of media, identity, and collective behavior that bridge research with real-world implications.

Writing Standards

What you write will be read by others and you’ll be assumed as an authority. Respect this! We don’t do opinions, we do arguments. There is a significant difference.

• Length: 900–1,600 words (flexible for strong structure).
• Voice: clear, evidence-based, and reflective — a mix of analysis and sincerity.
• Sources: Use AP or APA consistently. If you make a claim, you must cite credible references; link primary or reputable secondary sources.
• Accessibility: define jargon or provide an example – aim for Grade 8–10 readability.
• Original: All work will be run through an AI and plagiarism scanner.

Formatting and Structure

• Include a TL;DR (2–3 sentences) at the top. (optional)
• Add Key Takeaways (3–6 bullets) before your closing section. (optional)
• Use H2/H3 (headings) for clear flow.
• Add hyperlinks to cited sources or relevant readings.
• Submit in .docx or Google Doc format (comment access preferred).

Rights & Publishing

• You retain copyright to your work. By submitting, you grant ToSpeakOnline/Readical a non-exclusive, worldwide, perpetual license to edit for clarity, publish on our website and channels, and promote the work using credited excerpts or images. If you republish elsewhere, please link back to the Readical original.
• Selected submissions may be considered for paid collaboration or featured syndication.

What Happens After You Submit

1. Confirmation: You’ll receive a confirmation email once your piece arrives in our inbox. If you don’t see it within a few days check your spam folder.
2. Initial Review (1–3 business days): Our editorial team reads every submission for clarity, originality, and alignment with Readical’s mission: demonstrating the practical application of knowledge.
3. Editorial Feedback: If your piece shows potential, we’ll reply with personalized feedback and light editorial notes. You’ll have the option to revise before publication — collaboration is part of our process.
4. Once approved, your work will be formatted for web and shared across ToSpeakOnline and Readical channels. Published authors receive a byline, brief bio, and links to their site or socials.
5. Promotion & Reflection: After publishing, we often feature selected essays in our newsletter or social feeds. Some may be invited to expand their topic into future collaborations or video segments for the ToSpeakOnline YouTube channel.

Last Updated: 08/09/2025

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