Flagstaff Tea Party welcomes stories, photos, cartoons and artwork dealing with issues of local importance that have not been adequately covered by the mainstream press. We are not able to pay writers at this time.  We are especially interested in working with writers who can write compelling cover stories. Payment will be made within one month of publication.

Letters to the editor should be no longer than 500 words. There is no payment for letters to the editor.

Writers

We have had difficulty finding writers who are willing and able to write on the following topics that we feel would be of great interest to our readers: alternative medicine, bicycling and walking as forms of transportation, and spiritual or religious topics. 

Our focus is on local politics, environmental issues, the activities of nonprofit groups, and strategies to strengthen locally owned businesses. Stories and artwork may also address such topics as growth management, alternative lifestyles, volunteer opportunities, small business success stories, reports on local ecosystems, profiles of progressive thinkers in our community, etc. For more information about the focus of Flagstaff Tea Party, refer to our mission statement.

A list of specific story ideas related to current events is available by e-mail to writers who request it.

Stories may take the form of interviews, essays or investigative reports. Stories should not exceed 1,000 words in length without prior approval.

By submitting a story to Flagstaff Tea Party, writers agree that they will not submit any story containing libelous, false or misleading statements. Writers also agree that they will rely only upon trustworthy sources. Writers should be able to prepare a detailed list of sources if they are asked to do so by Flagstaff Tea Party.

Essayists and letter writers are encouraged to refrain from derogatory name calling and excessive ridicule. Writers who are addressing the shortcomings of policies, beliefs, actions, etc. are encouraged to focus on those issues rather than making personal attacks on individuals or groups of people. The gentler forms of persuasion are preferred.

Stories should be typed if at all possible. Electronic submissions are encouraged. Electronic submissions sent via e-mail should be sent as straight-text whenever possible rather than as an attachment. Submissions may also be sent on a 3.5” disk in a PC compatible format. Acceptable formats include: ASCII, RTF, MS Word, MS Works. 

Photos & Artwork

Though photos and artwork will normally be published in black and white, color images may be submitted. Electronic submissions are encouraged. Please send photos and artwork as TIFF, JPEG, or PDF files if possible.

Though material that has appeared elsewhere will be considered, preference will be given to material that has not been published before. Flagstaff Tea Party acquires the right to publish a submission once and the right to reproduce a submission on its web site for up to one year. Contributors will retain all other rights to any material they submit. Flagstaff Tea Party is not responsible for lost or damaged submissions and will not attempt to return submitted materials unless a SASE is provided.

Payment will be made within one month of publication. 

Flagstaff Tea Party reserves the right to reject any submission regardless of quality.  The decision to reject a submission for publication may be related to space limitations, appropriateness of style and tone, degree of reader interest in a topic, or other editorial considerations, such as what the editor had for breakfast.