Pilot

Our goal is to provide Compass feedback and Anchor Station edits within 48 hours of receiving your story. Once you reach Captain's Clearance, we request another 48 hours to apply Full Anchor. As we refine our processes, we aim to reduce these timelines even further.

Absolutely not! We value authentic voice over polished writing. Compass helps you find and strengthen your natural storytelling voice, guiding it to a professional level. Full Anchor then applies technical edits while preserving what makes your voice yours.

This means Compass sees potential but needs you to dig deeper into specific areas. We will ask questions to help you explore your experience more fully. Think of it as coaching, not rejection—we want to help you unlock the vulnerable core of your story.

During the development process with Compass and Anchor Station, yes—we apply edits to help you see your story more clearly. However, before publication, you will review all Captain's Clearance edits and approve the final version. Your voice remains intact throughout.

During Anchor Station (initial editing), we apply standard grammar and clarity fixes automatically. If something feels wrong when you see it, let us know. At Captain's Clearance (Full Anchor), you review all edits and can reject any that change your meaning. We work with you until you are satisfied the final version preserves your truth.

You do not need to know—that is Compass's job. Share what feels authentic to you, and we will guide you from there. Even rough, unpolished stories can reveal profound truth. Start where you are.

You can choose not to revise and your story will remain in "Navigation in Progress" status. Or you can share a completely different story. Compass coaching is optional—but stories that do not meet our North Star criteria will not be published. We are looking for specific qualities of vulnerability and connection.

Email us at harbormaster@talktostrangers.net and we will help you troubleshoot or accept your story via email if the form is not working. We never want technical issues to prevent you from sharing your story.

All Voyagers receive a share of the profits. Each Vessel (themed collection) has space for 100 stories. Voyagers receive 0.5% (half of one percent) for each story the Vessel carries.

A Vessel is a themed digital collection of 100 stories. For example, a Vessel might collect stories about "Moments of Unexpected Kindness" or "When Strangers Became Friends." Each Vessel sold earns revenue that is divided among all Voyagers whose stories appear in it.

Revenue is distributed monthly. Once a Vessel generates sales, profits are calculated and distributed to all Voyagers according to the Captain's Charter terms. You will receive detailed accounting showing which Vessels earned revenue and your share.

You will receive monthly statements showing which Vessels sold, how many copies, the revenue generated, and your share. All accounting is transparent—you will always know exactly how much your stories have earned.

The Captain's Charter is a legal agreement that gives us publication rights to your story and guarantees your profit share. You will review and sign it before your story is published. This protects both you and us—your story is published, and you receive your share of the revenue it earns.

No. Sharing your story is completely free. We do not charge reading fees, evaluation fees, or any other costs. If your story is published, you earn money—you never pay us.

Stories with genuine vulnerability, real stakes, and authentic human connection. We want to hear about moments that changed you, challenged you, or taught you something about being human. See our North Star page for detailed criteria.

Yes. We distinguish between crisis (someone currently in danger who needs immediate help) and triumph (survivor stories about how you overcame something difficult). We do not judge your choices or experiences—we want to hear how you gained your wisdom.

Yes! We welcome returning Voyagers. Each story goes through the same Compass evaluation. There is no limit to how many stories you can share.

No strict limits. However, most stories run between 500-2,000 words. Very short stories (under 300 words) may lack the depth Compass looks for. Very long stories (over 3,000 words) may need trimming during the editing process. Tell your story in the length it needs.

No. We only publish first-person accounts—stories that happened to you. You can write about encounters with other people, but the story must be your experience, your perspective, your truth. If you want to share someone else's story, encourage them to share it themselves.

Share your story in whatever English you can manage. Anchor Station will fix grammar, clarity, and technical errors while preserving your voice. We are only able to publish in English at this time, but please do not let that stop you from trying. Our Anchor programs are powerful and, despite limitations imposed by language, your story matters and we need your wisdom. We seek authenticity and we can assist you with the rest.

No. You can publish under a pseudonym, your first name only, or remain completely anonymous. We respect your privacy and understand that some stories require protection. However, the Captain's Charter (legal agreement) will use your legal name to ensure you receive payment.

You retain copyright to your story. The Captain's Charter grants us publication rights as long as your story continues to earn meaningful profits. When revenue from a Vessel drops below a certain threshold, publication rights revert to you and you regain full control of your story. The Charter protects both of us: we can publish while your story earns, and you get your rights back when it no longer does. You are not giving away ownership—you are licensing publication rights in exchange for profit sharing.

Once the Captain's Charter is signed and your story is published in a Vessel, you cannot withdraw it during the Charter period. This protects both Voyagers (guaranteed profit share) and the integrity of published Vessels.

Never. Anchor edits fix grammar, remove weak words, and improve clarity—but we never change your meaning, perspective, or voice. If Captain's edits feel like they alter your intent, you can reject them and we will work with you to find language that preserves your truth.

You do not need permission to share your own experience. However, stories that include real names or identifying details will not reach Captain's Clearance. During the editing process, we will change or remove names and identifying information to protect privacy. You are responsible for being truthful about what happened; we are responsible for protecting privacy in publication. We share the best version of humanity and learn from the worst.

We are not a general publishing platform. We curate specifically for authentic vulnerability and human connection. Every story is evaluated by Compass, edited by Anchor, and approved by Captain before publication. You share in profits rather than competing for clicks. We build Vessels (themed collections) rather than individual posts. This is a partnership, not a platform.

Yes! The book "Talk to Strangers" demonstrates the type of authentic, vulnerable storytelling we publish. Once we launch our first Vessels, examples will be available here.

Your story is read by the Harbor Master (initial evaluation), then moves through Compass coaching if needed, receives Anchor edits, and finally receives Captain's Clearance. Real humans read and respond to every story—we never use automated rejection. Your story matters and receives personal attention.