FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions
What should I write about?
To get a sense for the type of news stories and articles we publish, go to our website (www.liberaladvocate.com). We like breaking news stories – politics, personal stories, entertainment, culture and more. We tend to stay away from sports unless it fits our theme. Also, we lean left so we like stories written with Liberals, Democrats and Independents in mind.
Do you pay for articles?
No. This is a non-paid opportunity. What we give our Writers is a huge platform to grow and develop their portfolio over time.
Can I repost my submission on my blog or other websites?
No. If we run your post on The Liberal Advocate, we retain the rights to that content. We don’t allow republishing on your own blog or any other website. All pre-published articles, unless re-written to our standard will be rejected. Any published articles on our website that are later found to have been reposted on another website will be removed immediately and the Writer’s privileges terminated immediately.
How long should my posts be?
Aim for 200 – 3000 words although this is not mandatory. Some breaking news stories may be less but in those situations, we require you to add background information or context to the story.
How do I submit my stories?
We have written a simple step-by-step guide that details how to submit your stories for approval.
Should I pitch you my idea before writing the post?
For breaking news stories, no. If it is breaking news, it is current. It is important that you understand the types of stories we favor and how we like them written. We encourage you to go to www.liberaladvocate.com to familiarize yourself with this.
For other articles, If you’d like to, go ahead. But we’re happy to consider a draft as well.
Should I include links within the piece?
Yes if it is to a relevant website (we verify this). Our Editors will add links if they are necessary to enhance the news story or article. They can also remove any added links if they consider them irrelevant, unnecessary or if the links are to non authoritative websites.
Should I write a headline?
Yes. You cannot submit your news story without a headline. We reserve the right to tweak it for style or just to make it more attention-grabbing.
Will you edit my post?
Yes. We will edit for content, style and clarity, doing our best to preserve your voice. You’ll be able to see the final product once published.
Anything else I should keep in mind?
Posts should be written in news style, with short paragraphs. Opinion articles should be in your voice.
Should I include a photo?
Yes, if you own the right to use the image or photo. We will verify this. Do not add photos or images from the web. If you do not have photos or images, that is OK. Our Editors will add one.
What about my profile headshot?
Our system uses your email to grab your headshot from Gravatar, so make sure your photo is uploaded there. If you do not currently have a Gravatar account, please create one. Use the same email address that you gave us to create your account on the website.
What should I do after I submit my post?
When it runs, we hope you’ll be active in the comments, responding to readers’ questions or thoughts. We will also need you to add the information and links to your social media accounts.
Questions? Please complete this short form.
