Contributor Guidelines

Share Your Journey. Define Leadership.

Real CEO Stories is a global archive of authentic leadership. We don’t publish “success stories”—we publish blueprints.

We are looking for voices that prioritize substance over status. If you have navigated a high-stakes pivot, built a sustainable business from scratch, or reclaimed ownership in your career, your journey might be the turning point someone else needs.

The Editorial Standard: What We Publish

We look for narratives that lean into the Real over Refined philosophy. Your submission should focus on:

  • The Blueprint: Don’t just tell us what you achieved; show us the exact strategies used to scale or sustain.
  • The Scar Tissue: We value the failures that became the foundation. Be transparent about the risks that didn’t pay off and the lessons they provided.
  • The Ownership Mindset: How did personal responsibility drive your decision-making?
  • Actionable Intelligence: Every story must offer practical insights that readers can apply to their own journeys.

Submission Requirements

To maintain our 10/10 editorial quality, all submissions must meet the following criteria:

  • Originality: We only publish 100% original content. We do not accept syndicated or previously published material.
  • Word Count: Deep dives are preferred. Aim for 1,000 to 2,500 words of high-density insight.
  • No Fluff: If a sentence doesn’t provide value, delete it. We prioritize clarity over word count.
  • Formatting: Use clear headers (H2/H3), bullet points for readability, and cite all external data or research.
  • Human-First: While AI can assist in your research, the final narrative must reflect human nuance and authentic experience.

The Vetting Process

  1. The Pitch: Send a 3-sentence summary of your story, the core “Ownership” lesson, and 3 actionable takeaways to editorial@realceostories.com.
  2. The Review: Our team of strategists will review your pitch for mission alignment.
  3. The Draft: If approved, you will be invited to submit a full draft.
  4. The Refinement: Our editors will work with you to ensure the story meets our “Real over Refined” standard.

Ready to lead the conversation? Send your pitch to: editorial@realceostories.com