Choosing a Publication/Section

GROUP TWO
CHOOSING A PUBLICATION
By: Angelica Odias

Choosing where your article fits might be confusing than writing the article itself.
Being new in the writing industry and not knowing a lot of people in the field are one of the primary reasons why amateur writers think it is difficult to choose a spot for their article.

A survey conducted on a group of journalism students showed a lot of possible solutions to this problem.

Here are some points for you to ponder on when you’re having a hard time choosing a section/ publication for your article:

Browse specific sections of newspapers. Take a peek at local dailies and know what sections are there in each page. If you’ll know what the usual topic being published by these sections, it’ll be a lot easier for you to find a target section where you can contribute your article.

Consider the editor’s attitude. The fate of your article will be judged solely by the editor. The editor has the power to make or break your chance of being published. That is why you should know a thing or two about them.

Ask around if these editors are approachable, or what kind of style do they prefer and what topics or subjects do they usually find amusing. Now, if your target editor seems to be of a good nature according to what you heard from others, take a risk by approaching them yourself. You can also jot down the contact details of editors as you browse local dailies if in case you don’t have any idea where to contact the editor of your choice.

Feel the vibe. Try to feel if your article has a bigger possibility to be published or not. Check out if the section you’d been considering to contribute to is in need of more articles. Look for a section that is accessible to a newbie like you; for example, the community section. Usually, student writers start off by contributing community news because it is one of the most accessible sections in newspapers.

Mentors to the rescue. Try to consider your mentor’s opinion and advise when you choose a section or publication. They are the ones deemed to be knowledgeable enough on specific sections of newspapers so asking for their views and suggestions isn’t a bad option.

The most-read paper/ section wins. Writers want their articles to be read not just by their family and friends but also by strangers. A writer wants their article to be appreciated by many, that’s why they want to attract readers as many as they can. When choosing a publication/ section for your article, keep in mind that if you want people to read your story and make them relate to it so also try to consider the popularity of that section. The more popular the section, the more readers you’ll get.

Suggestions from friends. Listen to what your friends say, ask them if they know a publication/ section that will possibly publish your article. Consulting your pal is easier than approaching your mentor but it can also be as equally effective especially if your friends once had their experience of submitting articles on different sections. So go ahead, and pay attention to what your trustworthy pals have to say.