Happy Friday!

Welcome to the first submissions roundup of 2026! We hope you enjoyed a fun and relaxing winter holiday season. We’re back to help you keep your writing and submission goals going strong—and to spark your creativity with a weekly dose of inspiration.

Inspiration Prompt: What is a Living Wage?

“There is an apple in the world for everyone’s need, but not for everyone’s greed.”
— Rock My World

Minimum wage and living wage are not the same thing—and rarely even close. In the early 2000s, economists estimated that a true living wage for the average American would hover around $22 an hour. Two decades later, the gap between what people earn and what it costs to live has only widened.

We know the arguments: raise wages, cut jobs, hike prices. It feels like an endless cycle. But what does “enough” really look like?

Using your own experiences or observations, what do you think a true living wage is—and what would it take to achieve it?

• Explore what happens when the concept of “living wage” becomes literal: what if wages determined how long you live?
• Imagine a world where wages are tied to something other than money—time, health, happiness, or even art.
• Visualize the symbols of “need” versus “greed”: apples, scales, empty wallets, overflowing vaults.
• Tell the story of a character who earns their living in an unconventional way—or who fights for fairness in a system stacked against them.

Once you have finished your creation, keep going to find a home for your work.

Continue reading “Where to Submit Roundup: January 9, 2026”