Editor-in-chief here, I founded this publication with one goal in mind: to offset the enormous Eurocentric curiosities in history, politics, and much else. There is a need for heightened attention for Asian political affairs, and history, and I’m here optimistically to make an impact.
Thus I created The Asianist. The name explains itself. Here, we accept any viewpoints so long as information is factual, unbiased, and sourced to credible institutions. Liberal, leftist, or conservative — we recognize all political ideologies the author may adhere to. Simply refrain from slipping falsehoods in your pieces to bolster your agenda. So please feel free to make submissions regardless of political wing.
To achieve this goal, we need to set some ground rules. These have been updated as of July 2, 2025.
What we do not accept.
Anything that majorly contains European, African, LA, American content shall be rejected. But you can still mention extra-Asian content so long as Asian parts are more dominant in the article.
No submissions perpetuating hatred towards the Asians, just because it’s about Asian history/politics doesn’t mean you’re allowed to post racial bigotry.
No submissions about the little anecdotes of a prominent Asian figure, e.g., How Dr. Jose Rizal got into a fistfight or won the lottery in Dapitan buying land in hectares. We are not interested in that.
No submissions without multiple credible sources in the references section (APA format). This is very important.
No poetry or fictitious works on Asian matters; we don’t accept nor promote poems that glamorize Asian culture or whatnot. This is a strictly an informative publication.
Also, if your article in any way violates Medium’s Rules, it won’t be published in The Asianist.
What we accept:
We are interested in: coup d’etats, colonial and imperial history, wars in the Asian theatre, independence movements, famous battles, and incidents whether there was a fistfight in parliament or assassinations by stabbing in live debates.
We love geopolitical content, even better if relevant, for example: the tensions between Pakistan and India (worth covering), the Myanmar state persecution against Muslim and Christian minorities, the South China Sea contentions.
We love Near Eastern content, please talk about wars and how the United States is the villain. We derive pleasure from dunking on the US for their century-long imperialistic streak.
We love China-related content, it will score more highly in Medium due to Western curiosities.
We accept opinion pieces so long as they are objective, facts-based. We do not consider ideology — liberals and leftists are permitted to make submissions.
Yes, Asian culture as well, we’d love to post them right away. Anything that piques the minds of readers.
Rules for The Asianist
1. All essays must follow Medium’s Rules. Make sure to appropriately credit all images with a link. Please also add hyperlinks to any sources (do not include a references section at the end).
2. Submit all stories as drafts. We want to reasonably ensure that all stories get appropriately featured, and if you submit previously published work, it won’t necessarily appear as a “latest story.” If you want to submit a story you previously published outside of Medium, please make sure you’re still submitting timely work and that it’s in draft form in case we have edits or comments.
3. Title, subtitle, image. That’s the order everything should go from the top. It’s how Medium prefers it, and it will increase your odds of getting Boosted. Do use a cover image that’s in landscape format with alt text.
4. Calls to action. Yes, you may include at a maximum of ONE call to action at the end of the story. Don’t worry, your other published stories will appear at the further bottom suggested to the reader.
5. Appropriate length (4 minutes of reading time AT LEAST). The length of your story depends on the topic and format, but most stories on politics and law should be at least 4–5 minutes in reading time. Anything less is probably not substantive, nuanced, and thoughtful enough (remember — a great story not only has a thesis or perspective but addresses reasonable counterpoints too!).
Exceptions to this rule may be the submission of political poetry or satire (which we’ll accept if it follows all other rules).
Important Reminders
Work on making your pieces interesting. A proficient journalist is someone who can turn the mundane, cold reportables into interesting pieces. There is no nobility in writing cold facts only. Make your pieces tonally conversational, dynamic (always interesting), and informative. This does not mean you aren’t allowed to exercise your impressive vocab, you still are. But as much as possible, make them conversational. No one wants a downpour of boring facts, not even the curious reader.
Don’t flex your vocabulary here. You will be shooing readers away from your need to brandish your intellect. What we need here is substance, not vocab-flexing rooted in insecurity. You will know instinctively when you are overdoing it, ex. The Israel-Palestine conflict is the agon of a people transfigured into phantoms within the geography of their origin. Relax…
It must keep the news comprehensive. If you are going to write a news article, please do adhere to the Inverted Pyramid style of writing. Basically, from the first paragraph, already provide the 5Ws and 1H overview of the article. Followed by elaboration of the 5Ws and 1H. And a presentation of more general facts of the news. With this, your news pieces become skimmable — they’d only have to read the first paragraph.
You don’t have to read this, but feel free if you please. https://journalistsresource.org/home/principles-of-journalism/
How to submit?
Do submit your unpublished draft to my email @[email protected] Also leave a comment below informing me of your submission. Your work will be reviewed within the first 48 hours upon informed. And we will be notifying you if it has been accepted. Advice after making that submission? Stop Being Clingy To Your Editors.
Why should I deserve editor status?
I have published over 40 pieces that are both anecdotal and informative in genre. Often being praised for evoking vivid and accurate imagery. Often complimented for my style and unique voice in memoirs. Thus I do have the writing proficiency and experience to have the discernment on which submission is accepted or of high-quality and not. The duty of an editor is to review and refine content, ensure accuracy, clarity, and basic adherence to the principles of journalism prior to offical publish. This is my role.
Moreover, I am a political science undergrad with interests in history of any period. Ever since high school, I was always tuned-in with lectures on social studies which included a bit of politics and the past. And that became one of the motivating factors to stay consistent with gaining knowledge I find important. You can read my About Me page here for more.
We promise to take care of your publications here and not allow them to be grouped amongst banal, run-of-the-mill works.