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How to Contribute
How to Contribute
At Packed with Potential (PwP), “editorial” doesn’t mean gatekeeping – it means collaboration, clarity, and support.
Whether you’re an experienced researcher, a curious reader or transcriber of Anne Lister’s journals, or simply someone with an interesting observation to share, you’re in the right place. Our goal is to help you shape your ideas into something others can learn from, build on, and cite. Every contribution adds to our collective knowledge and helps paint a more complete picture of Anne Lister’s life and the lives of those around her.
We believe in the value of diverse perspectives, and we work together to make research accessible, engaging, and accurate. Our editorial team exists not to judge your work, but to help it shine. Whether you’re just starting out or nearly finished, we’re here to guide, suggest, co-edit, and support, at whatever stage you need us to support your journey from idea to publication.
What We Publish
What We Publish
Contributions to PwP come in many forms. Here’s a look at some examples of what our community has shared in the past.
Blog-Style Storytelling
Blog-Style Storytelling
These are casual but thoughtful posts that invite readers into an idea or discovery.
Christmas with Anne Lister by Jessica Lowther-Payne
Anne Lister’s Mines by Trish Rafa
Structured Datasets (Trackers)
Structured Datasets (Trackers)
Trackers log patterns or themes across the journals in spreadsheet form, often with supplementary research and visualizations.
Anne Lister’s Bookshelf (open, collaborative project)
Anne Lister's Dictionary by Jane Kendall
Anne Lister’s Sex Guide by Steph Gallaway
Visual Guides
Visual Guides
Maps, diagrams, or visual timelines that help us understand Anne’s movements, relationships, or references.
The History of Shibden Hall (Timeline) by Jenna Beyer, with Amanda Pryce & Angela Clare
Anne Lister & Ann Walker: The Honeymoon, 1834 (Travel Map) by Julie Gonnett & Anne Lister Italia
Mariana Percy (Belcombe) Lawton, 1788-1868 (Timeline) by Shantel Smith
Deep Dives into Research
Deep Dives into Research
These may begin as research notes and evolve into longform articles or profiles that turn questions or discoveries into structured, referenced publications.
Profile: Sibbella Maclean by Kat Williams
Dissecting (with) Monsieur Jumart – Juliart - Julliard – Julliard by Susanne Piotrowski
The Lister and Walker Coats of Arms, and the Lister Proof of Pedigree by Lynn Shouls
Where is Anne Lister? by Marlene Oliveira, Shantel Smith, Amanda Pryce, Steph Gallaway, Livia Labate, Jude Dobson
Each piece grows out of the contributor’s interest and comfort level. Some are co-written by multiple people; others start with an idea and grow with editorial support.
Editorial Support: What to Expect
Editorial Support: What to Expect
When you contribute to PwP, you're not expected to go it alone. Our team offers support throughout the process.
Here’s what we can help with:
Story shaping: We can help you turn raw notes, ideas, or archive observations into a cohesive narrative.
Fact-checking and citation support: Especially with archival sources! We’ll help format your references and ensure the final article is appropriately sourced. Good research should be verifiable so other researchers can learn from or expand on it knowing the basis is solid.
Copyediting: We provide feedback on grammar, clarity, tone, and structure while preserving your unique voice.
Technical help: Need help with Google Docs or formatting in Drive? We've got you.
Visuals: We assist with finding images, writing alt text, ensuring licensing is correct, and creating useful captions.
Templates and formatting: We use an article template that ensures consistency across our site and makes writing easier.
Pre-publication feedback: We will provide feedback prior to publication, in case some elements need adjusting when your draft moves from working document to the website page.
Whether you’re stuck halfway through or just want a second set of eyes, we’re here to help at every step. And when a piece eventually becomes outdated or revised, we archive older versions, rather than delete them, so the history of our work is preserved.
Our aim is to support you in creating something you're proud to share.
Our Workflow in a Nutshell
Our Workflow in a Nutshell
Here’s how most contributions move from idea to publication:
Step 1: Expression of Interest
Step 1: Expression of Interest
Reach out with an idea. Maybe you have a topic in mind, a document you’ve been puzzling over, or even a half-written draft. No need to have everything figured out, curiosity is enough to start.
Step 2: Collaborative Drafting
Step 2: Collaborative Drafting
We create a shared Google Doc where you can begin writing. A PwP editor or steward will join you in the document to comment, assist with structure, and answer questions. You are in control of the voice and direction. This is a collaborative process, not an editorial takeover.
Step 3: Review and Revisions
Step 3: Review and Revisions
Together we review the piece, working to make it readable and accurate. We follow our internal style guide, which includes:
Using the term ‘journal’ rather than ‘diary’
Using italics for transcribed coded passages
Not using justified text, especially for quoted journal entries
Ensuring consistency in how dates and citations are formatted
Using bold for emphasis, Oxford commas, and including alt text for all images
We’ll also make sure that archival citations follow our standard formatting. When images of archival material are used, we include the appropriate acknowledgements recommended by the holding archive, especially when permission to publish has been requested in advance.
Step 4: Website Formatting & Accessibility Checks
Step 4: Website Formatting & Accessibility Checks
Once the text is finalized, we format the content for the website. That includes:
Headings and subheadings
Glossaries or timelines (if needed)
Social sharing prompts
Licensing and accessibility checks (alt text, image credit, etc.)
Step 5: Publishing & Sharing
Step 5: Publishing & Sharing
Your piece is published here on https://www.packedwithpotential.org. You’ll be credited as the author, and the piece will be promoted via BlueSky, Twitter, Instagram, Threads, and Facebook. You’re encouraged to share it too!
How to Get Started
How to Get Started
You don’t need to be a professional historian or an academic. If you're curious about Anne Lister, the people in her life, or topics connected to her world, there's a place for you here.
Here are a few ways to begin:
Submit an idea: If you have a question you’ve been turning over, or want to explore something in collaboration with others, share your proposal for feedback and we can help you shape it.
Join an existing project: Some efforts like trackers, timelines, or map projects are open to for contributors, researchers, or co-authors.
Offer support: If you’re good at proofreading, editing, or tech help, you can assist others in getting their work published.
We’ll connect you with the right people, provide resources and guidance, and help you bring your work to life.
Ready to Contribute?
Ready to Contribute?
To get started, click “Get in touch,” to contact us directly by email. Tell us what you’re interested in, and we’ll help you take the next step.
Every contribution, big or small, helps build a richer, more connected understanding of Anne Lister and her world. We hope you’ll join us!
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