{Today’s guest post comes from former New York Times editorial page staffer Maura Casey. She’s sharing tricks of the op-ed writing trade, folks. Pay attention!}

The rise of the Internet and the struggles of print journalism in recent years have made opinion – your opinion – more valuable than ever. Some of the most influential websites such as Slate and the Huffington Post rely heavily on opinion for their broad appeal.  And newspapers, seeking to cut budgets wherever they can, have stopped publishing many syndicated columnists.

Yet newspapers have to fill those pages with some form of commentary. Therein lies the opportunity. You  don’t have to be George Will or Maureen Dowd to get published. Just don’t expect to get paid, since most newspapers pay little or nothing, And remember,  whether your target is my former employer, The New York Times, or the Laramie Boomerang,  you still have to say something interesting. So here are a few pointers to get your pearls in print: Read More…

I can say with absolute certainty that a “Public Information Officer” is not the same thing as a “Pubic Information Officer” — no matter what my statewide press release back in 2003 may have told you. If some things, like an appreciation for a second set of eyes on your draft, may only be learned through shockingly horrific error, I’m a scholar.

Regardless of our skill-level, or years of experience, we all can use a good peer review. This eternal truth is why I’m so freaking nervous every time I post something on this blog. Read More…