THE OUTPOST

SUBMIT

The gateway for community members, contributors, and readers to share their stories, reflections, and perspectives directly with the newsroom. This space is designed for public participation a place where letters, guest columns, community perspectives, tips, and visual submissions can be sent for editorial review. Whether you’re responding to something we’ve covered, offering your own lived experience, or submitting a piece for Community Voices, this page brings your voice into the larger record. All submissions are reviewed with care, intention, and respect for the community we document. SEE YOUR STORY IN COMMUNITY VOICES

SUBMISSION GUIDELINES & INFORMATION

    • Guest Columns: 300–1,000 words

    • Letters to the Editor: 150–300 words

    • Community Perspectives: 250–600 words

    • Tips / Story Leads: 1–3 sentences (brief description)

    • Photo/Video Submissions: Include a short caption (1–3 sentences)

  • Submissions should be:

    • Respectful

    • Honest

    • Grounded in lived experience

    • Clear and intentional

    • Free of personal attacks

    • focused on ideas, experiences, or community issues

    The Outpost welcomes emotion and perspective, but not harassment, hate, or defamatory language.

    • All submissions must be your own original work.

    • Do not submit content written by AI, copied from other publications, or created by someone else.

    • If your submission includes quotes, references, or statistics, they must be properly cited.

    • Photos and videos must be taken by you or submitted with permission from the creator.

    • Submissions should be factually accurate to the best of your knowledge.

    • If you reference events, dates, or claims, please ensure they are correct.

    • Opinion is welcome — misinformation is not.

    • If your submission includes sensitive claims, The Outpost may request verification before publication.

  • The Outpost accepts:

    • Guest Columns

    • Letters to the Editor

    • Community Perspectives

    • Personal reflections

    • Neighborhood observations

    • Community commentary

    • Photos (JPG/PNG)

    • Videos (MP4/MOV)

    • Tips or story leads

    • Responses to Outpost coverage

    These must relate to community life, culture, events, or lived experience.

  • The Outpost does not accept:

    • Hate speech or discriminatory content

    • Personal attacks or targeted harassment

    • Explicit or graphic material

    • Promotional or advertising submissions

    • Plagiarized content

    • AI‑generated writing or imagery

    • False claims presented as fact

    • Submissions unrelated to community life or public interest

  • Please include:

    • A clear title (optional for Letters)

    • Your full name (or indicate if you prefer initials)

    • Your neighborhood or city

    • Your submission category

    • Your written piece pasted into the text field

    • Any relevant links or references

    • A short bio (optional)

    For longer submissions, break paragraphs for readability.

  • If your submission includes:

    • Statistics

    • Quotes

    • References

    • Factual claims

    • Historical information

    Please cite the source in simple form at the end of your submission, such as:

    • “Source: City of New Orleans, 2024 report”

    • “Data from CDC, 2023”

    • “Quote from WWL interview, March 2025”

    No formal citation style required, just clarity.

  • When submitting visual content:

    • Upload the file directly through the submission form

    • Include a caption (1–3 sentences)

    • Include the date and location of the photo/video

    • Confirm that you took the photo/video or have permission to submit it

    • Avoid filters, heavy edits, or AI‑generated visuals

    The Outpost may crop or adjust exposure for clarity but will not alter the truth of the image.

    • You will receive a confirmation that your submission was received.

    • The Outpost editorial team reviews all submissions for clarity, accuracy, and alignment with our standards.

    • If selected, your submission may be lightly edited for grammar, length, or readability — without changing your meaning.

    • You will be notified if your submission is chosen for publication.

    • Not all submissions can be published, but all are reviewed with care.

    • Published submissions appear in the Community Voices section of The Outpost.

  • Every submission to The Outpost is reviewed with care, intention, and respect for the contributor. Once your piece is received, it enters our editorial review process, which ensures that all published work aligns with our standards of clarity, accuracy, and community integrity.

    1. Initial Screening

    Submissions are first checked to confirm they meet basic guidelines — originality, tone, relevance, and appropriate content. Pieces that do not meet these requirements may be declined at this stage.

    2. Editorial Review

    Eligible submissions are then read by an editor who evaluates clarity, structure, accuracy, and overall fit for the Community Voices section. This review focuses on strengthening your message while preserving your voice.

    3. Light Editing (If Selected)

    If your submission is chosen for publication, it may be lightly edited for grammar, length, or readability. Edits will never change your meaning, perspective, or intent. The Outpost’s goal is to honor your voice while ensuring a clear and accessible reading experience.

    4. Verification (If Needed)

    If your submission includes sensitive claims, factual statements, or references to specific events, we may reach out for clarification or verification before publication.

    5. Publication Decision

    Not all submissions can be published, but all are reviewed thoughtfully. If your piece is selected, you will receive a notification with the expected publication window.

    6. Publication

    Approved submissions appear in the Community Voices section of The Outpost, credited to you by name (or initials, if preferred). Your contribution becomes part of the public record and the growing archive of community perspectives.

    • Full Name

    • Email Address

    • Phone Number (optional)

    • City/Neighborhood

    • Submission Category

    • Upload Field (text, photo, video)

    • Short Bio (optional but professional)

    • Consent checkbox

  • Most submissions are reviewed within one to two weeks.

  • Contributors are contacted by email if their submission requires clarification or moves forward.

  • Selected contributors receive a confirmation and the expected publication window.

  • The Outpost may issue corrections or clarifications if factual errors are identified in published submissions.

  • Response times may vary, but most inquiries and updates are handled within one to two weeks.

  • All selected submissions may be lightly edited for clarity, length, and readability without changing the contributor’s intended meaning.

  • The Outpost collects only the information you voluntarily provide when submitting a story, tip, photo, or inquiry. This may include your name, email address, location, and any materials you choose to upload. Your information is used solely for editorial communication, verification, and publication‑related decisions, and it will not be sold, shared, or disclosed to third parties without your explicit consent. Submitted content may be stored in our archives for record‑keeping and editorial reference. You may request removal or correction of your personal information at any time, subject to legal or archival obligations. By using this site or submitting content, you consent to the collection and use of your information as described in this policy.

  • If your submission is accepted, you’ll receive an email with publication details, and your story will appear in the Community Voices section of The Outpost for public viewing.

CONTRIBUTOR AGREEMENT

By submitting material to The Outpost, you represent and warrant that the work is your original creation, that you hold all necessary rights to submit it, and that the submission does not infringe upon the rights of any third party. You grant The Outpost a non‑exclusive, royalty‑free license to publish, reproduce, distribute, archive, and display the submitted material in any editorial format or platform operated by The Outpost. You acknowledge that all submissions are subject to editorial review and may be edited for clarity, length, style, or compliance with publication standards, without altering the fundamental meaning of the work. Submission does not guarantee publication, and all publication decisions are made at the sole discretion of the editorial team. You further acknowledge that any factual inaccuracies or misrepresentations may result in correction, clarification, or removal at the discretion of The Outpost, and contributors may request review of potential errors. Personal information provided through the submission form will be used solely for verification and editorial communication and will not be disclosed publicly without your explicit consent. You retain ownership of your work while granting The Outpost the rights necessary to publish and preserve it as part of the public record, and you remain free to republish your work elsewhere. By submitting photographs or video content, you affirm that you created the material or have obtained explicit permission to submit it, and you authorize The Outpost to publish, crop, adjust, or otherwise prepare the material for display while maintaining the integrity of the original scene.

WHY WE PUBLISH COMMUNITY VOICES

Community Voices exists to give residents a place to speak for themselves and contribute directly to the public record. These submissions help reflect the lived experiences, perspectives, and concerns that shape our neighbourhoods. Publishing community‑submitted work strengthens transparency, builds trust, and ensures The Outpost represents more than one viewpoint. It creates a shared space where people can respond, reflect, and participate in documenting the life of the community.

SUBMISSION