“Write for us” is a common section in many websites. It can also be called the “Contribute” or the “Submissions” page.

The “Write for us” page can help you as a writer build your author bio, and find a public acknowledgement of your writing prowess. In this article, we will talk about how to get published.

You may ask “Why publish in an external magazine which may reject me when I can easily publish on my own blog or on Medium?”

That’s like running 100 metres really fast in a forest, where nobody see’s you. You maybe really fast, maybe even break the world record. But the world will care if you prove yourself within an established system.

Anyone can write for open access platforms like Medium or Substack. They prove that you are a good writer only if you have a really strong following.
Any platform which has some minimum standards and rejects articles, on the other hand, gives those published on it credibility. The whole purpose of submitting your articles and trying to get published on the wire, or the print or some such is to gain credibility as a writer. Ergo, the “Write for us” section.

Before discussing what steps to take, let’s first explore what actions to avoid once you have finished your writing.

• Don’t rush to publish: I know you can’t wait to share your work with the world. But I would suggest to let your writing sit for a while. It is important to revise it as many times to make it flawless. 

• Don’t overlook the editing process: Editing is crucial for honing and polishing your initial drafts. Hire a professional editor or take help from reliable sources. Trim away all the errors, typos and unnecessary details.

“Put down everything that comes into your head and then you’re a writer. But an author is one who can judge his own stuff’s worth, without pity, and destroy most of it.”
(Casual Chance, 1964)
― Colette

• Don’t underestimate the power of feedback: Constructive feedback allows you to become better at your craft. Seek feedback before you put your work out in the world. 

• Don’t limit yourself to a single publishing option: You have always dreamt of being published in a leading magazine or a newspaper. I don’t blame you for that. But I hate to burst the bubble that the odds of that happening with your initial pieces are small. Especially with new writers, it will be beneficial to look for alternatives to those big names you have set your eyes on.

Build your author profile using “Write for us”

Don’t underestimate the power of an established author profile!

Building your author profile is the most rewarding gift you can give yourself as a writer. Your author profile serves as a mirror to the world  as it serves as a reflection of your writing style. It is a foolproof method of connecting with your readers and expanding your network. You never know, your author profile might capture the interest of renowned publishers too. 

Why is it important?

If you don’t have an author profile, build one today.

It builds your credibility as a writer. An established author profile helps in connecting with your target audience. Engage with your readers through social media, blog or other platforms. This is going to come handy in your publishing journey. 

Networking is your key to success.

It expands your network. Join a writing community or two. It will help you connect with fellow writers and industry professionals. Engage with fellow writers to exchange valuable insights and provide constructive feedback. A win-win situation for all the parties involved.

Dedication and consistency should be your best friends when it comes to writing.

It attracts publishing opportunities for you. Your author profile shows your dedication and consistency towards your work and passion. These qualities can help you in securing a publishing deal.  

Engage with your audience regularly.

It builds a dedicated fan following. Did a faint blush appear on your cheeks? You truly deserve it for the dedication you have shown towards your work. Having an established fan following helps you in reaching a wider audience. 

Embrace your uniqueness.
It reflects your unique style. Your author profile displays your areas of expertise and interest. An interesting author profile can set you apart from other writers.

How to build author profile?

Now that you know how crucial it is to have a solid author profile, don’t sweat it if you are clueless about how to do it. I am here to guide you through the whole process. 

Alright, let us get down to the nitty-gritty of building a rock-solid author profile. 

1. Be a professional writer. AI and technology has made anyone and everyone a writer today.But real writers go beyond AI, and beyond surface level writing to go deeper. They research deep thruths, bring out insights and are serious about the craft of writing. be one of those.

“In order to be irreplaceable, one must always be different.” ~ Coco Chanel

2. Create a professional author website. A professional author website establishes your digital presence in the online world. It is a permanent online home to keep all your work safely in one place. Your website should showcase your best works and writing accomplishments.

“We have technology, finally, that for the first time in human history allows people to really maintain rich connections with much larger numbers of people.” ~ Pierre Omidyar

3. Stay active and consistent. Update your website regularly. Nothing beats dedication and consistency in forging strong connection with your readers. Regularly share updates and blogs to keep them updated. Keep your writers excited by creating anticipation before announcing big projects.

“When you look at people who are successful, you will find that they aren’t the people who are motivated, but have consistency in their motivation.” ~ Arsene Wenger

4. Engage with your audience. Your content should resonate with your target audience. Find out what they want and care about. Engage with them through social media or blogs. Don’t forget to respond to their comments and queries.

“If you want to create messages that resonate with your audience, you need to know what they care about.” ~ Nate Elliot

5. Connect with other writers. Join writing communities to connect with fellow writers. Do you seek constant support, motivation, valuable insights and constructive feedback to improve your craft? Writing communities is your answer to that. 

“Networking is not about just connecting people. It’s about connecting people with people, people with ideas, and people with opportunities.” ~ Michele Jennae

Where to publish? “Write for us” will help.

When it comes to submitting your articles, you have endless options. Thanks to the digitization, you don’t have to rely solely on traditional publishing methods. So, let us get to all the awesome places where you can submit your fantastic articles or writings.

New Delhi Times

“New Delhi Times is an English-language newspaper based in New Delhi, India. New Delhi Times accepts editorial articles on any topic for both online and print version. Articles are accepted between 800 to 1,500 words. All submitted articles must be original, and exclusive to New Delhi Times. We will not consider articles that have already been published, in any form, in print or online.”

Categories accepted: Articles on any topic.

Submission guideline: https://www.newdelhitimes.com/article-submission123/ 

Asia Times

“Asia Times is an English-language news website that covers wide range of topics. Asia Times welcomes unsolicited news articles, analysis pieces and op-eds.”

Categories accepted: News articles on any topic.

Submission guidelines: https://asiatimes.com/write-for-us/

Buzzfeed

“We’re always looking for freelance writers who can contribute entertaining and well-researched pieces to BuzzFeed.com, though what we’re taking pitches on can vary based on the season.”

Categories accepted: Lists, how-to guides or explainers, trending news stories, first-person stories.

Submission guidelines: https://www.buzzfeed.com/buzzfeedstaff/how-to-write-for-buzzfeed

HuffPost

“As part of HuffPost’s mission “to write for, and not just about, those left out of traditional power structures,” HuffPost is seeking to elevate writers from a wide range of backgrounds, including those who are BIPOC, LGBTQ, people with disabilities, and writers from other underrepresented communities. HuffPost publishes freelancer work across a wide range of topics.”

Categories accepted: Articles on politics, culture, wellness and lifestyle, personal stories etc.

Submission guidelines: https://www.huffpost.com/static/how-to-pitch-huffpost 

LifeHack

“LifeHack is a well-established and well-known authority of self-improvement tips for millions of readers worldwide. As a Guest Writer, you will play an integral role in changing people’s lives with fresh perspectives and actionable advice. At Lifehack, we aim to deliver insightful perspectives, practical actions, and uplifting messages to our readers. Although our guest writer position is not paid, many of them have found success in their writing career through the exposure and experience we offer.”

Categories accepted: Articles on happiness and spirituality, health and fitness, motivation, productivity, relationships and parenting.

Submission guidelines: https://www.lifehack.org/contribute

Thought Catalog

“Thought Catalog is a destination where the “hard discussions” can come into light. We encourage heartfelt sharing of subjects that impact your daily life. We primarily discuss and write about all things related to relationships, breakups, mental health, beauty, self-improvement, astrology, creepy entertainment, and much more.”

Categories accepted: Articles on a wide range of topics such as relationships, love, poetry, mental and physical health, psychology, self-improvement etc.

Submissions guidelines: https://thoughtcatalog.com/about/

Youth Ki Awaaz

“Youth Ki Awaaz is a people’s platform. Writers from diverse backgrounds publish their stories here every day. YKA aims to be a safe space for young India to discuss, debate and share their ideas. As a community, we strive to support, listen, engage and even draw lines, but without dismissals, or put-downs. You are welcome to submit news reports, articles, op-eds, photo stories, videos, infographics, poems and personal stories on issues of importance.”

Categories accepted: They publish articles in English and Hindi language on topics such as society and its issues, culture, human rights, environment, politics, education, sex and sexuality, entrepreneurship and stories of social change.

Submission guidelines: https://www.youthkiawaaz.com/2018/02/how-to-publish-on-youth-ki-awaaz/

The Better India

“We tell stories of change, inspiration, courage, resilience, hope, kindness, compassion, innovation, initiative, sustainability, progress, social good, small businesses, renewable energy, green technologies, and much more. We use the power of digital media and positive storytelling to showcase the journey of India’s most inspiring individuals and institutions.  Have a positive story to share? Know someone inspiring? Then share it with us all! Your submission should be well-written, highlighting the positive aspects of the story.”

Categories accepted: Positive stories on various topics.

Submission guidelines: https://www.thebetterindia.com/submit-positive-story/

Live Wire

Categories: Personal essays, Poetry, Pieces on political or current events – ideally from a personal angle, Campus issues, Discussions on mental health, Socio-economic, gender and cultural issues, Movie/TV show/ music reviews, Art, music and visual work

Submission guidelines: https://livewire.thewire.in/livewire-submission-guidelines/

The Print

“ThePrint has grown and built an impressive network across India. Its mission is high-quality, fair on-ground and questioning journalism. It’s a crew of inspired and informed editors, reporters, analysts, designers, producers and sales and marketing professionals.”

Submission Guidelines: https://theprint.in/about-us/

#Swarajya

“Swarajya – a big tent for liberal right of centre discourse that reaches out, engages and caters to the new India.”

Categories: Commentary, Long-form Pieces, Book Reviews
Submission Guidelines: https://swarajyamag.com/write-for-us

ScoopWhoop

“Founded in 2013, ScoopWhoop Media is India’s most exciting digital media company that creates lifestyle & pop culture content across its online, mobile, and social channels. The brand engages with a young audience aged 13–35 through its different channels – ScoopWhoop English – focussing on lifestyle & entertainment content, social and creator-driven video channel OKTested and ScoopWhoop Hindi that reaches a larger regional demographic. ScoopWhoop’s wide and prolific distribution network built across social media drives over 1bn impressions monthly and over 100mn users.“

Submission: https://www.scoopwhoop.com/contact/

While choosing any platform, keep in mind these points:

• Choose a platform that aligns with your areas of interests and expertise.
• Make sure the website has the right kind of audience that you want to reach.
• Read all the submission guidelines provided by them thoroughly.
• Make sure they have a good reputation and a strong online presence.
• Take your time to do research and select the platform which caters to your needs. 

References:

http://adelaidemagazine.org/

https://www.bigfictionmagazine.com/

https://www.newdelhitimes.com/

https://asiatimes.com/

https://www.buzzfeed.com/in

https://hbr.org/

https://www.huffpost.com/

https://www.lifehack.org/

https://thoughtcatalog.com/

https://www.youthkiawaaz.com/

https://www.thebetterindia.com/