How to Get Stories for Publication

After having had literally hundreds of letters to Editors and articles published I give some information on my methods: First, I had a cause - I wrote and had published many letters opposing the use of corporal punishment in South African schools (it was abolished after our New Constitution came in). After that I tried my hand at other letters and then articles.

If you are looking for a story, one place to start is with already published stories. What are people writing about? Is there anybody in trouble that you can help? Are people complaining about something? Is Animal Welfare having a meeting?

Tell people you are submitting articles and someone will probably tell you of a complaint they have. For example the cell phone tower is making them sick, or their building is having problems with plumbing (perhaps others in the neighbourhood are also having problems). Are there crime forum meetings you could attend? If the article you want to submit involves a lot of people the Editor you are writing to will be more interested.

Sometimes a good news story will have more of a chance. Do people have suggestions on how to improve their lot, for example?

People like to talk and sometimes you can pick up stories early that way. For instance if you go to a barber he might have heard a lot that would be of interest to a newspaper.

There is the entertainment aspect and an article about musicians or new types of entertainment or new venues for entertainment might be reported on. For example a school gets a new society, or they decide to help at the SPCA, so that you can photograph dogs being washed, or a school band plays for charity events.

If you go out, look around and talk you have a good chance of getting many interesting stories to tell. Of course the potential benefit of your story to the community will be a consideration.