Aikicraft author guidelines
Welcome to the Aikicraft contributor community. You're here because you have an aikido story worth telling - whether that's teaching insights, honest community observations, real-world applications that work, or solutions for growing aikido's relevance. We're building the constructive discourse space our community needs - for practitioners tired of defending aikido instead of developing it, and who believe the art can evolve without losing its essence.
Don't worry if you're not a "writer" - we'll work together to shape your experience into something that serves fellow practitioners and moves our art forward.
Content sections & choosing where your piece fits
We have 4 main sections, and it's fine that your story fits one of them so it serves a clear purpose - whether that's drawing new readers in, establishing credibility, building community connection, or inspiring people to act. These sections are based on the AAAA framework (Attraction → Authority → Affinity → Action):
Why We Train (Affinity) - Emotional drivers, personal stories, motivation, community connection
Teach Better (Authority/Action) - Pedagogy, learning methods, internal development frameworks
The Hard Look (Attraction/Authority) - Cultural critique, institutional problems, honest analysis
Applied Aikido (Action) - Business applications, leadership, conflict resolution, daily life
For new writers: Having your content naturally fit one section will have more impact when it aligns with what readers need at that moment in their journey. But of course feel free to propose topics outside these sections.
Writing guidelines
Core principles:
Authentic over polished - Personal experience trumps theory
Specific over general - Concrete examples over abstract concepts
Conversational over academic - Write like you're talking to a fellow practitioner
Honest over promotional - Acknowledge limitations and contradictions
Style specifics:
Capitalize only first word of titles and headings (unless proper nouns)
Address readers directly ("you," not "one")
Use concrete examples from real students/situations
Vary sentence length but keep most shorter
Avoid academic jargon - make it accessible to non-aikido readers
No em-dashes or flowery transitions
Word count: Optimal around 1200 words per post, recommendations for sections:
Teach Better: 800–1,200 words
The Hard Look: 1,000–1,500 words
Applied Aikido: 600–1,000 words
Why We Train: 500–800 words
Story structure (helpful technique for organizing your thoughts)
If you have a story but need help structuring it, consider the Hero's Journey - it's like an aikido technique but for storytelling. Think of it as a more sophisticated "beginning-middle-end":
Ordinary world - Everyday life before change
Call to adventure - Challenge or invitation appears
Refusal & resistance - Hesitation or doubt
Crossing the threshold - Commitment to change
Trials & transformation - Learning, struggle, growth
The ordeal & insight - Deepest challenge leads to understanding
Return changed - Coming back wiser, able to help others
Not mandatory - analytical and instructional pieces work too.
Submission process
Create content in Google Doc
Share with hello@aikicraft.org
Send link via email
No strict deadlines - quality over speed
Target both audiences: Assume readers may not know aikido terminology. Include enough context for outsiders while serving committed practitioners.
Questions? Email hello@aikicraft.org
About Aikicraft
Aikicraft explores conversations that serve practitioners across all backgrounds - bridging traditional wisdom with contemporary application. We address teaching challenges, community evolution, and practical guidance for running dojos. We support anyone whose aikido training aims to enhance their actual living beyond the mat.
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