Writing for Governing
Stories and Features
Governing welcomes pitches from journalists for stories and features on issues of interest to state and local government, including the effects of dramatic changes in technology, demography, climate and the economy that are driving societal transformation, as well as explorations of politics, policy, public management, infrastructure, public finance, social issues and economic development.
Governing pays freelancers competitively. Our website, governing.com, provides the best guide to understanding the scope and range of subject matter of what we’re looking for, as well as style, length and voice. We prefer to engage with prospective writers early in the process before manuscripts are drafted. Potential contributors should submit brief pitches by email to Editor Alan Greenblatt and Senior Editor Paul Taylor.
Guest Commentaries
Governing offers public officials, practitioners and experts from a variety of backgrounds an opportunity to share op-ed-style commentaries on a broad range of topics relevant to state and local government and issues surrounding effective governance and public policy.
While we welcome and solicit submissions, publication is not guaranteed. Submissions must pass editorial review to be considered for publication. Contributions may undergo significant editing; edited pieces are returned to the author for review before publication. No compensation is offered for submitted or published pieces in this category.
Submissions must be new, previously unpublished work; Governing does not republish commentaries, excerpts, articles or reports that have appeared elsewhere. Columns should be no longer than the standard op-ed length of about 700 words, and should be written in a conversational, journalistic style rather than one more appropriate to an academic journal. (Footnotes are not used, but hyperlinks may be included as appropriate.)
Contributors are encouraged to write about their topics of interest and areas of expertise, but contributions that might be perceived as promoting an author’s, company’s or other organization’s services or products cannot be published.
Because Governing is a nonpartisan publication, commentaries written by or on behalf of candidates for public office cannot be published if they bear on the operations of the office or jurisdiction for which election or appointment is being sought.
Publication does not constitute endorsement by Governing of the author, the author’s point of view or that of the author’s organization and may not be represented as such.
Those considering submitting a commentary are encouraged to first email Contributing Editor John Martin, with a brief description of the proposed article. Finished pieces should be submitted by email in Microsoft Word-compatible format.
Submitting a Book for Review
To inquire about sending books for review by Governing, please contact Associate Editor Tricia Dugan.
