WAG members are invited to write posts related to writing, the writing life, and the writing journey.
If you have an idea for a blog post, read the guidelines below and email your idea to Tamm Walters at BlogEditor@writersalliance.org.
ALERT: Outlook and Yahoo email do not always play well together! If the address shows up in an email application you do not use (Outlook), simply copy the address and paste it into the email application you use before typing your message and sending it.
Guidelines:
1 – Content: Want to write an article but need ideas? Check out all of the WAG “Blog Topics” at the bottom of this page, this blog post, this list of ideas, and this post from Writers Write called “30 Inspiring Blog Post Ideas for Writers.” A previously published article will be considered if you freshen it with new information and include a footnote linking to the original article.
2 – Length: 500 to 1,000 words for all blog topics except for “Story of My Life: Self-Portraits” and “Flash Friday,” which are 500 words or less.
3 – Submitting: Email your work as a Word document to BlogEditor@writersalliance.org. Double-spaced, Times New Roman 12-point is preferred, but the formatting and font aren’t dealbreakers. (Unless you submit using Blackadder ITC. Or Broadway. Then we’ll know you’re just messing with us.)
4 – Links: Feel free to include links to website pages that will give your reader additional information on your topic. There is no need to make the links yourself; just include URLs.
5 – Images: Try to include at least one high-quality image (jpg or gif) that relates to your post. Credit the photographer or give the source. (Unsplash and Pixabay are two good sources of free, high-quality images and photos.) If you include an image to which you do not own rights, please have the creator of the image send an email giving WAG permission to use the work. YouTube videos do not require permission and may be included without attribution.
6 – Hints to increase traffic to your post: Choose a catchy title using key words. Repeat the key words in the first sentence and again within the first paragraph. Use numbers in the title (e.g., “Best 8 Ways to Promote Your Book”).
7 – Self-Promotion? You may reference your own publications if they are related to your topic. However, you should not use WAG’s blog just to promote yourself or your works. Note that all WAG members may promote their publications on the Books page of WAG’s website by completing the Get Listed form.
8 – Bio and photo of yourself: For your first post, include a bio (up to 50 words) and a high-quality photo of yourself. If you have a website, include the URL. For bio examples, look at previous posts.
9 – Response time: ALL submissions will be read and receive a response. If you haven’t heard from the blog editor after 2 weeks, please see the “Alert” above (not all email apps play well together!) and try submitting again.
10 – Rights: In submitting your blog post, you retain copyright, but you give the Writers Alliance of Gainesville one-time, non-exclusive digital rights to publish the content.
11 – Editing: Your piece will be edited for appropriateness, length, clarity, proper English, and use of language. The blog editor may also add illustrations and links.
12 – Publication: The blog editor will send you a preview link for the layout of your post at least 3 days before publication. Posts will generally be published the 2nd and 4th Fridays of each month, and all subscribers will receive email notification of your post on that day. If you are not a subscriber, sign up below on the right.
13 – Post-publication: Check periodically to see if viewers have left comments, and please take a moment to respond to them.
14 – Have Fun and Happy Writing!