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Guidelines for Writers
Thanks for your interest in writing for Common Ground.
If you have story ideas, pitch them in a short query (1-2 paragraphs per story). Before submitting them, please review past issues of Common Ground for similar articles and to get a sense of our editorial coverage. We do not accept or consider unsolicited manuscripts. Please do not send such material or queries in the form of email attachments as they will be automatically deleted.
As a rule, we only assign pieces to journalists or freelancer writers with a track record of published magazine and/or newspaper articles, books etc. We do not consider advertorial and promotional pieces. Fees vary according to the type of piece and the amount of reporting or research required. We are always looking for pithy, local news shorts for Mindful Living (350-450 words) at the front of the book. Longer features run 1500-2200 words. We prefer features in a strong, lively narrative style or profiles of local visionaries and community activists who are making a difference in Northern California. We also run short 1st-person essays (850 words) for example, “Backwords” (at the back of the magazine) about personal epiphanies, moments of insight, and quests. We cover the environment, progressive nonprofits and activists working in the Bay Area, socially responsible businesses, stories about spirituality and personal growth, healthy food and living, organic farming, innovations in education, cultural creatives, music, as well as art and photography spreads, particularly those related to our core themes and story areas.
Most stories should be based in the SF Bay Area.
To be considered, pitch us a short 1-2 paragraph précis of your article ideas that includes a brief bio. If you have published clips, send them to us (1-2 clips, no more!) or refer us to a website where we can review them. We cannot be responsible for unsolicited manuscripts, photographs. We have a small staff, but we will try to respond within 2-3 weeks. Please do not call us.
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