Frequently Asked Questions

The GOAT PoL stands for “The Geopolitical Open Atlas of The Polity of Literature.” It’s a community of writers and readers who share access to a website and to each other as a way to read and write and publish together.

“RAE” stands for Reader/Advisor/Editor. RAEs are experienced writers and editors who work at The GOAT PoL as a way to support others who like to read and write. RAEs will read your submissions, give you constructive advice on how to improve your work, and guide the story through revisions, until it’s ready to publish. Think of RAEs as your friendly colleagues or mentors, providing support and feedback, asking questions, proposing edits, and helping you polish your writing, while respecting your voice and intent.

A commission is a unique alphanumeric token that gives you access to the submission sequence. Each token works one time, opening the system for submitting one piece of writing. The RAE who gives you the commission will be the RAE who works with you to publish your story.

We have a set of Ground Rules to ensure The GOAT PoL remains a respectful, fair, and collaborative community. Every member is expected to follow these principles. Ground Rules for a polity of literature—The GOAT PoL, exists only in human collaborations of writing and reading, therefore:

(1) Each person who writes and reads can enroll here using one account under their own name or a pseudonym. Do not open two or more accounts. Each person in this polity has equivalent rights, and no one should expand their claim by opening more than one account.

(2) As people engaged in collective work we rely on honesty; please always be honest and forthcoming about your actions or responses; the work you submit must be your own.

(3) The human work of writing and reading cannot be done by machines. The health and value of our polity of literature depends on each person showing up in their work fully human. Do not submit any writing made with AI—we will not publish any writing that is AI. Violation of this rule hurts the community by making it harder for us to engage with you as a human being. AI accounts will be deleted.

(4) Good human relationships are built with mutual respect: please ask and don’t demand; disagree with respect; don’t belittle or dismiss; listen and try to understand, even if you disagree.

(5) Please be patient—human work goes at a human pace; the pleasure we feel in working together only comes in its own time. We look forward to reading your work.

These ground rules are essential to maintaining our “polity of literature”—a community of readers and writers where everyone supports each other as equals. By joining The GOAT PoL, you agree to these rules. Violations can result in consequences (like losing the privilege to receive commissions, or in serious cases, removal from the community). Fortunately, our community is very positive, and as long as you uphold honesty, respect, and patience, you’ll fit right in.

Most of our writers are stateless, migrant, incarcerated, or otherwise deprived of rights by the state. That said, any writer can join, and it’s free. We read and write and share our writing. Writers meet and work with other writers and editors. You can publish your work and be paid for it. Basically, The GOAT PoL takes the conventional economy of writing and publishing and moves that activity out of the competitive “free market” into a “polity”—a community of equals.

All of the money supporting writers and readers at The GOAT PoL is donated by philanthropies that do not ask for anything in return. Currently, The GOAT PoL is funded and supported by the Musagetes Foundation, in Guelph, Ontario, Canada.

In 2022, The GOAT PoL was conceived of and built by writers who had themselves suffered statelessness, incarceration, or a categorical loss of rights. Robbed of legal agency or belonging by the state, they found that the collective activity of writing and reading restored them to a community (or, what they called a “polity of literature”) within which they had agency and equality with others. The GOAT PoL was created to provide the same for other writers suffering similar fates. You can read a detailed account of its founding here: “Goat Literature—A Future PoL“.

The GOAT PoL welcomes any kind of writing—from short stories and essays to poems and personal narratives—written by anyone. There are no strict genre restrictions; any original, interesting piece of writing is welcomed. The focus is on quality. As long as your work is your own and follows our ground rules, it’s likely a good fit.
We accept writing from anyone. There is no strict minimum age requirement to join The GOAT PoL—young writers are welcome. The platform is open to writers of all ages as long as they can engage constructively and follow the ground rules. We have participants ranging from students to retirees. If you’re under 18, we do encourage you to ensure you have any necessary permission from a parent or guardian to participate.

There are two ways to share your writing on The GOAT PoL: (1) “posting,” which is unpaid, and entirely controlled by the writer; and (2) “publishing,” for which we pay the writers, and includes an extended editorial process and then publication on our website.

1. Posting: you can post your own original writing to your Contributor’s Page at any time. Simply log in, go to your profile, and use the “Upload” button to add your piece. Content uploaded this way appears on the site immediately, but note that such pieces are not eligible for payment, and won’t go through the formal editorial process. We call this “posting” a story.
   
2. Publishing: to do this, you must receive a commission code from a RAE (Reader, Advisor, Editor), or from another writer. Once you have a commission code, log in to the site, click “Submit New Writing to Publish” and enter your commission code. This will lead you through a process for uploading your draft for an official, RAE-guided editing process. We call this “publishing” a story.
   
   You can also assemble collections of stories from The GOAT PoL and offer them to readers by working with a RAE to select, sequence, and introduce the collection. If you’d like to publish a collection and share it with readers, click “Curate a Collection” button on the Collections page—accessible through the Archives option on the menu bar—and enter your commission code. This will lead you through a process for uploading your draft collection to work with a RAE and seeking permission from the authors whose stories you’ve selected to include in your collection.

Submitting a story for official publication is a guided, collaborative process. Here’s how it works:

1. Obtain a Commission: You’ll start by receiving a commission code from a RAE. This code is essentially an invitation to work on a story.
2. Submit Your Draft: Log in and use the commission code on your Contributor’s Page to upload your draft. This creates a story file that the RAEs can see. At this point, a RAE will “claim” your story and will email you to begin working with you.
3. Work with a RAE: The RAE will read your draft and give you feedback. You’ll go through rounds of revisions, discussions, and edits with the RAE to strengthen your piece.
4. Finalization and Publication: Once you and the RAE are satisfied that the story is the best it can be, the RAE will publish the story on The GOAT PoL. Remember, this process takes time—every story is different, multiple rounds of feedback and revision are normal. It’s not uncommon for a story to take weeks or even months before it’s ready to publish. The emphasis is on quality and growth. Patience is key.

Collections are online anthologies that share a common theme. Curating a collection is about reading with care, curiosity, and a desire to understand not just the stories, but the authors behind them. If you’re interested in curating a collection, we ask you to (1) write a deliberate and informed introduction for it, explaining your reasoning behind assembling that specific collection of stories; (2) seek permission from the authors of the stories you have chosen, you can do this using the “Seek Permissions” tool on your collection’s draft; (3) work with a RAE and finalize your collection. Once you and the RAE are satisfied that the collection is the best it can be, and all authors have given their permission to include their work, the RAE will publish it on The GOAT PoL. Remember, this process takes time.

The GOAT PoL’s working language is English. We are a global community of writers, but English serves as our common language. The stories we publish are in English. We absolutely welcome writers for whom English is not a primary language—most of our contributors are multilingual. If you’re not fully comfortable in English, you can still participate: some RAEs can assist by working in a language they share with you and then help translate your work into English.

Commission codes are distributed by our RAEs (Reader, Advisor, Editor). They’re essentially invitations to work on a new story or collection with editorial guidance. There is no set “application” for receiving a commission. With over 500 writers and only 9 RAEs, it will take time. As with all good fortune, it’s best to not worry when it will come, and welcome it when it does.
The proven way to receive a commission code is by actively writing and reading: be an active member of The GOAT PoL community. RAEs want to work with writers who are truly interested in reading and writing, and The GOAT PoL offers you many ways to express your interest: (1) you can read stories by other writers; (2) you can give other writers feedback (for example, by sending a “fan letter” via their Contributor’s Page, or choosing their story as a “favourite” on your Contributor’s Page); (3) you can meet other writers and work together via our 24/7 Telegram chat threads; (4) you can participate in workshops and events; and (5) otherwise engage on the site.
Every writer who creates an account is interested in a commission. You don’t need to formally ask, just demonstrate your interest through participation.

Regarding AI, it’s complicated! Since the launch of ChatGPT, AI has rapidly taken over so many aspects of life, and it will likely continue to do so. We seem to be in a transitional moment where everybody is trying to figure out how to make the best use of this technology. The GOAT PoL is no different.
Our goal is to support the human activity of writing and reading together. Many writers benefit from the use of AI. We try to help those writers make smart choices about using AI when it is helpful for writing and does NOT interfere with the human activity of writing and reading together.
As a general rule:

• The first draft that a writer shares with a reader or RAE should have NO AI. The exchange must start with a human-written text.
• Similarly, the final draft that a writer publishes for public readers to see should have NO AI. What we share publicly ought to be human-generated texts.

That said, during the revision process AI can be a very helpful tool, depending on how the writer uses it. For example, we used AI to help us write these FAQ answers—like we said, it’s complicated! Each RAE will guide each writer through this question individually. To know what our rules are and to be sure that you follow them, always look at the “ground rules,” which are included here (above) and on our “about page.” The central ground rule is honesty—whatever you do with your writing, be honest and open about it. To learn more about AI at The GOAT PoL, follow our Telegram chat thread @thegoatpol, concerning “AI.”

Writing and publishing at The GOAT PoL is generally not a fast process, and that’s by design. When you work with a RAE, expect multiple rounds of editing and feedback. It often takes several weeks to a few months for a commissioned story to go from first draft to final publication, depending on the length of the piece and how much revision is needed. In some cases, it can take longer, especially if the story is complex. We believe that the writing and revising process is the most valuable thing we can support for our writers, and we won’t shortchange it. Please don’t work with The GOAT PoL if you’re in a hurry to be published.
Our emphasis is always on making the story the best it can be, rather than rushing to publish. Many writers find the extensive process rewarding—the “slow” pace is what makes the work meaningful and allows for deep improvement.

No—please submit only original, unpublished work to The GOAT PoL. We cannot accept writing that has already been published on other platforms or in print. The goal of The GOAT PoL is to develop new writing; republishing something that’s already out in the world (or worse, that someone else wrote) is against our rules. In fact, if a story is discovered to be plagiarized or previously published verbatim elsewhere, it will be removed from the site.
You retain full rights to your work, so after we publish your story on The GOAT PoL, you are free to share it elsewhere or submit it to other publications if you wish—but we ask that for initial submissions here, you send us new, original material.
The GOAT PoL is a “polity,” not a marketplace. In this polity, the writer always retains the rights to their work. The GOAT PoL does not take ownership; we simply help you polish and share your story.

It’s impossible to say when a writer will receive a commission code. As with all good fortune, it’s best to keep on working, writing and reading, and not worry about the commission; then enjoy it when it arrives.
Some writers might receive a new code fairly quickly, while others may wait a few months. Every RAE has their own way of working. You can get to know them better by reading their Contributors’ Pages.
Remember, with many writers in the community, patience is key. Don’t worry about commissions, just stay engaged with the community and enjoy the chance to write and read together.

Writers can post as many of their own original stories as they wish by posting them to their Contributors’ Page (see How can I share my writing?). These are shared with readers, but the writer is not paid for them. Writers are paid when they publish stories, working with a RAE who provides a commission. Writers can only publish one story at a time. The GOAT PoL has a firm “one commission at a time” rule—you can only work on one commissioned story at a time. This policy helps RAEs and writers focus on one piece and give it the attention it deserves.

The writer retains both ownership and control over the story they have written. Anytime a writer wants to delete a story, they can ask the RAE who worked with them to delete it. While minor changes (such as fact corrections or fixing typos or small line-edits) can be carried out by the RAE after publishing, we will not continue with nor impose any major edits after publishing. Writers who want minor changes to be made to a published story should request it from their RAE.

All payment systems are slow. We pay as quickly as we can, but it’s common for payments to take as long as ten working days or two weeks after a story is published. If you haven’t been paid after ten working days, you should check that your payment details are correctly entered on your profile (and reach out to us if there’s still an issue).

We can pay writers via PayPal, Western Union, Money Gram, or World Remit. All of these methods pose different challenges in different countries, so you should pay attention to the changing limitations your chosen platform imposes. They change frequently, and we adjust, but we cannot guarantee how soon payments will arrive. Here are some guidelines that can help you choose either the simplest or the (likely to be) fastest method, depending on where you live.

If you live in Afghanistan, DRC, Iran, or Uganda: As of May 2025, we face the following limitations:

• Afghanistan: We can only make payments through MoneyGram to recipients in Afghanistan. If your payment method is set to Western Union, please change it to MoneyGram and confirm that the name of the recipient is accurate.
• DRC: World Remit payments are often delayed to Congo. We can also process payment via Western Union.
• Iran: Due to international sanctions, we cannot send any payments directly to Iran. If you are in Iran please work with a third party recipient or mobile banking service outside the country to receive funds. If relevant, please include whether we need to process the payment as “goods and services” or “family and friends.”
• Uganda: Currently, we can only make payments through Western Union to recipients in Uganda. If your payment method is set to World Remit, please change it to Western Union and confirm that the name of the recipient is accurate.

If you are under 18, please find a third party recipient for your payment. The vendors we use do not allow us to pay anyone under eighteen-years old directly.

All authors should try to pick up your payment within two weeks after it has been processed. This helps us keep track of our budget.

No, The GOAT PoL does not pay using cryptocurrencies.

Yes—The GOAT PoL is open to everyone. It doesn’t matter where you’re from, what your background is, or how much writing experience you have. You do not need to be a published author or a professional writer to join. We have contributors from all over the world, of all ages and walks of life.
In the spirit of a “polity of literature,” we treat all participants as equals who respect and support each other. All you need to do is create an account on our site (it’s free), agree to the ground rules, and you can start participating—read stories, post on your Contributor’s Page, attend workshops, etc.
Keep in mind that receiving a commission (to publish a paid story, see “How can I share my writing?”) will come once you’ve shown you’re an active, engaged member. But in terms of membership and community participation, absolutely anybody who is interested can contribute to The GOAT PoL.
If you love writing or reading and want to be part of a collaborative literary community, you’re welcome here.

Good news: if you’ve signed up for The GOAT PoL, you already have a Contributor’s Page! Every user account automatically comes with a personal Contributor’s Page, which is where you showcase your profile and writing. To set up and customize your page, follow these steps:

• Sign Up / Log In: First, create an account on the site if you haven’t (you likely did this if you’re asking the question). Once logged in, look at the top-right corner of the site. You should see three horizontal lines which, when clicked, open a menu.
• Navigate to Your Page: After opening the menu, look for the option that says “See your Contributor’s Page.” Click on it to go to your personal page (i.e., your Contributor’s Page).
• Edit Your Profile/Page: Once you’re viewing your Contributor’s Page, you’ll see an “Edit” button (at the top-right, just above your name)—click that to enter edit mode. Here you can add information about yourself: a short bio, a profile picture, your location, etc. You can also fill in optional details like your social media handles or a brief statement of what you write, so readers and RAEs can learn about you.
• Add Your Writing: Your Contributor’s Page is also the place to post writing outside of commissions. You can upload pieces that you want to share and they will appear on your page for others to read when they visit. Just note they won’t be paid—think of them as blog entries under your profile. Posting on your page is a great way to keep active and show your writing style.
• Save Your Public Profile: Once you’re done editing your profile, click the “Save Public Profile” button to update your Contributor’s Page.
• Fill Out Your Payment Information: If you’re interested in publishing on The GOAT PoL—whether you’re waiting for a commission or already working with a RAE on a commissioned story—don’t forget to set your preferred payment method in your profile (at the bottom of the edit page) so that when you do publish, we know how to pay you. After you’ve filled out all the necessary details, click “Update” to save your payment information.

Tip: A thoughtful profile can help RAEs notice you. We love to see when a new writer has taken the time to answer the profile questions (like “Why do you write?” or similar) in detail. That said, you can ignore any questions that you are not interested in—the questions are prompts, and the unanswered ones will not be visible on your public Contributor’s Page. Also, if you write under a pseudonym, you can mention that on your profile.

Here are some great ways to stay connected and involved with fellow GOAT PoL members:

• Join our Telegram Group: We host an official Telegram chat, as well as separate workshop channels. This is one of the liveliest hubs of activity. Here you can find announcements, be able to ask questions, share insights, and even participate in live writing workshops. For example, we often run text-based workshops in Telegram—a RAE will announce a session, and writers join in to share drafts and feedback in real time. It’s a fantastic way to get to know others. The group is open to all, simply search for “thegoatpol” in Telegram to join.
• Read and Comment on Stories: On the website, all published stories are available to read. Take some time to explore what others have written (the “Contributors” or map sections can help you discover pieces). If you enjoy a story, let the author know! You can send them a “fan letter” through their profile to share your thoughts. Writers greatly appreciate feedback and knowing someone out there has read their work.
• Contributor’s Page Posts: Keep an eye on the main website. Contributors sometimes post updates or personal pieces on their own pages. You can interact by reading those and responding with messages.
• Participate in Workshops and Events: Whenever there’s a workshop—often announced on the site’s Workshops & Events page, Telegram group, and Instagram page—consider joining. Workshops are free and open to all contributors; they allow you to improve your craft and meet others in a collaborative setting. You can also join our monthly Reading Club to further explore stories published on The GOAT PoL (sometimes the writers join too, to answer readers’ questions). If you’re in our Telegram group, you can also take part in themed discussions, orientation chats, or Q&A sessions. These events are usually announced in advance on the site and via community channels.
• Follow Social Media and Newsletter: We share news and celebrate our community on platforms like Instagram (@thegoatpol). We announce contest winners, new initiatives like the Modest GOAT Prize winners, etc., on those channels. Following them can keep you feeling connected. Additionally, check if you’re receiving our email updates; we sometimes send newsletters or important updates to your registered email. Make sure emails from thegoatpol.org aren’t going to spam.

In short, to stay in touch: jump into the Telegram group to say hello, spend time reading others’ stories and reaching out, and join events. The more you engage, the more you’ll feel part of the polity. The GOAT PoL community is very welcoming, so don’t be shy!

Participating in workshops is easy and highly encouraged! We regularly hold free writing workshops and discussions for GOAT PoL members. Here’s how to get involved:

• Check the Workshops & Events Page: Our site has a dedicated Workshops & Events page that lists upcoming events. When you find a workshop you’d like to join, simply click the “Sign up for this workshop” button on that workshop’s page to register. Make sure you’re logged in—if you are, signing up will automatically register your name for the event.
• Announcements: Aside from announcing workshops on the website, we also announce them via email (if you’re subscribed to updates), in the Telegram group, and on our Instagram page. For example, a RAE might post in Telegram: “We will have an awesome workshop tomorrow at 7 pm CET! You are all welcome to join!” Keep an eye out for these notifications so you don’t miss them.
• Format (Zoom/Telegram): Most workshops are held virtually. Often, they take place in our Zoom room (for live video/audio workshops) or in a special Telegram chat thread (for text-based workshops). The workshop announcement will specify the format. If it’s on Zoom, a link will be provided (usually posted on the workshop’s page and in Telegram shortly before the event). If it’s on Telegram, instructions will be given on which Telegram channel to join at the start time.
• During the Workshop: Workshops typically involve a RAE or guest facilitator leading a session on a topic or writing exercise. You might be asked to write something short, share a piece of a draft, or give feedback to others. They’re very interactive and supportive. For example, in a Telegram-based workshop, a facilitator might invite writers to post a draft and others to respond with feedback, all via messages in real time. In Zoom workshops, you might discuss live or even break into small groups. Don’t worry—it’s all beginner-friendly and you can participate as much or as little as you feel comfortable with.
• After the Workshop: Often, there’s a follow-up—the workshop page might have materials or a transcript archived, or the Telegram group remains open for further sharing. You can continue the conversation with participants even after the official end time. It’s a great way to build connections.
• No Limits: You can join as many workshops as you want. They’re free and there’s no selection criteria—if you see one you like, just sign up and show up. It’s one of the best ways to improve your writing and to meet fellow writers from around the world.

In summary: to join a workshop, simply sign up on the site and follow the instructions (usually joining a Zoom or Telegram at the set time). Come prepared to write, share, and learn—and have fun! Our workshops cover all sorts of topics and are a highlight of the GOAT PoL community experience.

The GOAT PoL Reading Club meets once a month on Zoom for about an hour to discuss stories published on The GOAT PoL. Our goal is simple: to read, enjoy, and learn together. The Reading Club is not intended to critique the stories, but to appreciate them, discuss their themes, ask questions, and reflect on what they offer us. This is a space for curiosity, conversation, and discovery.

We share our announcements—which include the monthly reading list, theme, Zoom link, and access details—in advance of each session on the Workshops & Events page of our website, as well as on our Instagram page and Telegram group. No formal registration is required.

The GOAT PoL Reading Club often meets on the last Wednesday of every month. The exact dates vary from month to month. We announce upcoming sessions ahead of time via our Instagram page, Telegram group, and the Workshops & Events page of our website, so be sure to check regularly for the latest schedule.

Yes, we ask that you read the featured stories before each gathering. Come prepared to engage in the discussion.

Not at all! You’re welcome to listen in quietly if that’s more comfortable. However, we do encourage everyone to join the conversation, whether by raising their hand to speak or using the chat to share thoughts.

Absolutely! The more, the merrier. Just make sure you forward the announcement to them so they have the reading list and Zoom link. If they’d like to receive updates about upcoming sessions, they can subscribe to our newsletter using the form on the homepage.

We’d love to hear from you! You can send feedback, suggestions, or general thoughts or questions to us at thegoatpol@tuta.com.

The GOAT PoL also develops and publishes books by writers who have been working with us. We also offer small grants of monetary support for writers who demonstrate a deep commitment to their ongoing work and to the community. These grants are called The Modest Goat Prize.

The GOAT PoL Books publishes titles in both softcover (print) and eBook formats. Writers working at The GOAT PoL who have a manuscript or a series of stories may get the opportunity to have their work published in book form. We treat it as a next step for some stories—for instance, if a contributor develops a particularly strong series or an expansive piece through our process, the team might champion it for publication as a standalone book.

Our first title, Under The Sky Beneath The Moon, a book of linked short stories by Mozghan Mahjoob, was published in 2024. More books are on the way. These include works by writers who honed their craft on the platform and then, with support (sometimes via the Modest GOAT Prize, see below), completed a full manuscript. The process for books includes additional editing, design, and even marketing/publicity efforts. We often assign a “champion” (an editor/advocate) to support each book project through the publication process. Our funders and partners (Publication Studio Guelph) assist in printing and distribution.

When authors publish a book with The GOAT PoL they will sign a non-exclusive rights contract, which is a contract that affirms the author’s retention of all their rights to the work. They can publish elsewhere too, or sell film or TV rights, or sell translation rights or anything they wish to do. Our non-exclusive rights contract simply registers the author’s promise to allow us to make and sell an edition of their work in paperback and eBook, in exchange for the publisher (Publication Studio Guelph) splitting all net profits 50/50 with the author. It’s a very progressive, author-friendly contract. 

The Modest GOAT Prize is a small grant of money given to one or more outstanding writers in The GOAT PoL, to recognize their work and to support them in creating a larger project. The prize might cover editorial support as well, or other assistance to bring a big idea to fruition.
The prize is usually announced towards the end of the year. All active contributors are automatically considered. You don’t need to apply for the Modest GOAT Prize—your work and participation speak for itself. (See: The Modest GOAT Prize 2025)

The future of The GOAT PoL is embedded in its origins—writers at risk started The GOAT PoL so we could address our challenges ourselves. Every new writer starting work at The GOAT PoL is a future RAE. We can all be readers, advisors, and editors, for each other. We can all provide writers with the same support that we want ourselves.

Currently, there are nine RAEs and six-hundred writers. In an ideal future, there will be an equivalent number of RAEs and writers, and each one of us will alternate between the two positions. In the future, The GOAT PoL will be a collective of writers who are all capable of either supporting (acting as a RAE) or being the writer, and we will all flicker between those two interactive roles.

As The GOAT PoL grows, most new RAEs are drawn from the population of writers working at The GOAT PoL—that is, the stateless, displaced, or jailed—continuing this foundational purpose of asking those at risk to guide the efforts by which we mitigate or counter the risks we face.

Currently, The GOAT PoL is an English-language site. The medium we work in here is English. But we hope to create a reproducible structure for supporting English-language writing—and then to clone it. We want to populate the clones with other languages in which others are writing. Our goal is to have The GOAT PoL in Persian, and The GOAT PoL in Arabic, and The GOAT PoL in Spanish, and The GOAT PoL in Mandarin, and etc. To get there, we first have to perfect and stabilize The GOAT PoL in English, so that we can then clone the structure and populate it with other languages.

The limiting factor now is funding. When more funding becomes available through philanthropies or other donations, The GOAT PoL can scale up to serve many more writers and to support communities in languages other than English.