The Press Herald’s opinion section publishes 20-22 guest opinion pieces, or op-eds, every single week. Anybody who has a point of view about something can submit an opinion piece for publication. We are especially eager to hear from people who have yet to contribute. What are we looking for?

A good opinion piece:

– is between 550 and 650 words in length for print, with some flexibility online and on Sundays (if you feel you have a point that can be made in 250 words or fewer, please consider writing a letter to the editor).

– makes a clear argument, states a clear point of view. One good way of anchoring your argument is to begin by writing a headline that summarizes your point. What is it you are about to say?

– includes references – better again, hyperlinks! – to support facts or information used to make a case.

– is timely, often referring to something in the news or reflecting on an emerging trend.

– has a local focus; this is the Press Herald’s bread and butter. (With that said, we regularly publish opinion writing on climate change, national politics, geopolitics, etc.)

– makes use of the writer’s voice, personal experience or knowledge.

The opinion section does not accept: open letters, arts reviews, verse, pieces that have been published by other outlets or pieces submitted anonymously. We allow an interval of between 30 and 60 days to elapse between contributions by the same writer. But for limited extenuating circumstances, we cap the number of authors of an op-ed at two authors.

To submit a draft for consideration, please email opinion@metln.com.

We’d ask that writers include a telephone number, home address and a line or two for “about the author(s).”

We’re really looking forward to hearing from you.