How to Participate

Participation is simple.

1. Choose Your Story

Select a folktale, fairytale, legend, fable, or traditional narrative that reflects your:

• culture;

• heritage;

• community;

• family tradition; or

• local storytelling tradition.

The story may be widely known or a lesser-known narrative that deserves to be preserved and shared.

2. Tell Us About the Story

Please provide some context alongside your contribution.

Where possible, tell us:

• Who told you the story?

• Where does the story originate?

• Is it associated with a particular community, region, or cultural tradition?

• How was the story traditionally passed down?

• What does the story mean to you or your community?

• Is there a particular lesson, value, belief, or tradition associated with it?

This context helps readers understand the cultural significance of the narrative rather than encountering it simply as an isolated story.

3. Add Illustrations — Optional

Illustrations are welcome but are not compulsory.

You may include:

• traditional artwork;

• student illustrations;

• original drawings;

• photographs of appropriate artwork; or

• digital artwork inspired by the story.

Where artwork is submitted, please ensure that you have the appropriate permission to share it.

Submission Guidelines

Please submit your contribution using the official project form.

Your submission should include:

• Title of the story

• Name of the storyteller/contributor

• Country of origin

• The story

• Historical or cultural background — optional but encouraged

• Information about the origin or transmission of the story, where known

• Illustration or artwork — optional

Contributors are encouraged to provide accurate cultural context and, where possible, acknowledge the community, family, storyteller, or source through which the narrative was received.

Important Considerations for Contributors

Authenticity and Cultural Respect

Please submit stories that you have a legitimate connection to or permission to share. Contributors are encouraged to acknowledge the community, family, storyteller, book, publication, or other source where appropriate.

Copyright and Permissions

Please do not submit copyrighted adaptations or illustrations belonging to another creator unless you have the necessary permission to share them.

Traditional stories may exist in multiple versions. Where you are submitting a particular retelling or adaptation, please identify the source or acknowledge the person who created or shared that version where appropriate.

Respect for Cultural Heritage

Some stories may have particular cultural, spiritual, ceremonial, or community significance. Contributors should exercise appropriate sensitivity when sharing such narratives publicly.

Language

Stories may be submitted in the language specified in the contribution form. Where appropriate, contributors may also provide an English translation or summary to support international readership.

Permission to Share

By submitting a story, contributors confirm that they have the appropriate authority or permission to submit the material and understand that selected contributions may be shared through IASL and ISLM official communication platforms and related project webpages.

Where appropriate, contributor information and attribution will accompany the published story.