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The Wild Companion
A Community-Created Book of Stories, Recipes and Herblore
Listen to Michelle summarize all the details in this video or keep scrolling to read more.
How It Works
We are so excited about this project and we hope that our wild community will help us make it happen! We are creating a Wild Medicine Companion that will be available at our 2026 conference. This book will feature stories, poems, recipes and remedies from presenters, vendors and members of our Wild Medicine Community. Below you'll find a list of categories and a little more information. All submissions should be related to plants, mushrooms, folk medicine, foraging, nature or eco-community and be original writings.
Who Can Submit?
Anyone! You do not have to be attending the 2026 conference to participate.
Submission Deadline:
February 20, 2026
Writings Categories
We welcome original fiction, nonfiction, mythic writing, poetry and artwork as well as unique Materia medica, wildcrafting recipes and family/folk remedies. Scroll to the end for inspiration on what types of writing and art we're looking for.
Original Writings Only
While both fiction and non-fiction are welcome, anything you submit needs to have been written by you or a family member who has granted you permission to submit it.
Copies of the Book
The Wild Companion will be available for purchase at the 2026 Wild Medicine Conference as well as through our website as a fundraiser to support our Scholarship Fund.
How to Submit + FAQs
Each person may submit up to 5 entries!
Submission Methods
We accept both email and postal mail submissions.
Email Submissions
wildmedicineconference@gmail.com
Writings must be WORD attachments
Artwork can be png, jpg, or pdf
Mailed Submissions
Email us for instructions
Release Form & Permission
A release form should be submitted with each entry. This form helps us gather helpful information about you rentry ans well as gives us permission to print it in The Wild Companion.
NEXT STEPS
1. Select or create your writing or artwork.
2. Download and Complete Release Form (form below).
3. Email both your submission and form to us as attachments (or contact us if you'd like to mail it to us).
4. We will confirm receipt and review submissions weekly through March, notifying people via email as decisions are made.
Types of Writings & Stories
Ideas for submissions
Plant Experiences or Encounters
While both fiction and non-fiction are welcome, anything you submit needs to have been written by you or a family member who has granted you permission to submit it.
Wild Medicine Materia Medica
Is there a plant or mushroom that you have studied and experienced in great detail that you'd like to tell us about? Have you encountered unique medicinal properties of a plant, mushroom or tree that differs from common Materia medica? Submit this information in the form of either a Materia medica or a story. For ideas and a deeper exploration of what you might include, or how you could structure your submission, visit these instructions from our friends at The Herbal Academy.
Mythic Medicine Stories or Herblore
Legends, tall tales, superstitions and folklore related to plants, mushrooms, trees and nature are all possible submissions in this category. In addition, maybe you've had experiences with plants or mushrooms that seem to be mythic in nature. Be sure to submit an original piece of writing, whether you are writing about the lore or you are writing your own story inspired by it.
Nature-Based Mystical Experiences
Have you ever had a mystical experience that involves a plant, mushroom, tree or other nature being that was profound, awe-inspiring or life changing? From synchronicities or dreams that feature plants to psychedelic journeys and visions from a nature quest that was influenced by plants or mushrooms... we'd love to hear your stories!
Original Poetry
We will accept any style of poetry that relates to plants, mushrooms, trees, nature or wild medicine.
Wildcrafting Recipes
Fire Cider Salad Dressing. Dandelion Root Cookies. Foraged Fungi Cream of Mushroom Soup. What recipes help you bring the forest into your food? Think "Wild Medicine Cookbook" and send us your recipes!
Folk or Family Remedies
This is an opportunity to share folk medicine recipes and herbal formulas that are easy for anyone to make. Is there a special homemade herbal cough syrup your family has relied on for generations? An herb-infused oil that you swear by? This is a very expansive category that can include any remedy/recipe used for healing (physical, emotional and spiritual).
Artwork
We welcome drawings and artwork from anyone in your family, including children! Most artwork will be printed in black and white inside the book, although there may be space on the front or back cover for a color printing. A digital version or scanned copy of your artwork will be needed for us to reproduce it. (Note: While digitally created artwork will be considered, art must be 100% original with no support or modification from AI).
Eco-Activism Articles
Is there a wild medicine related cause that is close to your heart? We will accept research and call to action articles that fit within our conference mission.
DISCLAIMER
Submission does not guarantee publication.
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