Pitch a Story | Contributor Guidelines
Root River Current recognizes many ways and means of telling a story—written word, photography, video, audio, illustrations. We welcome your ideas and suggestions ranging from current affairs, news and feature stories to original poetry, essays, photography and digital storytelling.
Root River Current publishes both commissioned and non-commissioned material. Commissioned stories—stories assigned by the managing editor—typically include a stipend for the contributor.
Root River Current generally does not pay stipends for non-commissioned works—poetry, essays, photo submissions—recognizing instead that by publishing original material it benefits the contributor with valuable exposure to a broader audience, furthering their creative pursuits.
Freelance Content Contributors & Storytellers
Things to consider
Stories should originate within or connect to the Root River Valley of Southeast Minnesota (Fillmore, Houston, Mower, Olmsted and Winona counties). Reporters, writers and multimedia journalists do not necessarily have to reside in the region—for instance, a contributor might be a regular visitor or recent resident with first-hand knowledge about the region.
In addition to text content, contributors are expected to provide images (or access to images) to accompany their story; short video clips are also encouraged. All materials should be fact-checked, include appropriate links to cited information, and free of third-party copyrights, unless republishing permission is secured or appropriate attribution accompanies the submitted content.
Topical areas we are primarily interested in covering are: community development, public policy, government, land and water, business, work, health, education, arts and culture. Keep in mind that Root River Current publishes weekly but operates on a schedule that is weeks in advance.
Root River Current currently pays up to $150 per commissioned piece, depending on scope of submission; special projects or series are negotiable and paid proportionately. Paid contributors are independent contractors and their published work in Root River Current is acknowledged as work-for-hire.
Commissioned works remain the copyright of Root River Current and may not be published elsewhere without proper consent.
Non-paying Contributions
Root River Current welcomes “Community Voices”: Creative writers and storytellers often benefit from broader exposure of their original works, so our editors are anxious to consider other forms of “telling a story”—including original poetry, essays, photography, illustrations, video & audio digital content.
Publishing your original works is a great way to share your creativity, introduce yourself to the larger community and reach new audiences!
Submissions and Editorial Standards
Interested contributors, or anyone with a story suggestion, should send a brief summary detailing the topical nature of their content idea. Additionally, potential contributors should also explain how they intend to tell their story and include a brief bio of themselves and contact information.
Submit suggestions and proposals to editor@rootrivercurrent.org. Editors may ask new contributors to provide a writing sample or a story outline. Contributors will be contacted in the event your story idea or material has been selected for publication.
Details regarding Root River Current’s Editorial, Code of Ethics & Conflict of Interest policies can be found in the About Us section.
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