The Heights Observer is is written by volunteers. People like you!
We need news and information from your neighborhood and community in Cleveland Heights or University Heights.
Write stories, interviews, restaurant reviews, news, and events. Submit your photos.
Here is a list of monthly deadlines for writers, editors, photographers, and advertisers.
Become an Observer! It does not matter if you are a professional or amateur, our editorial staff will be glad to have you.
IMPORTANT: Before you write, please review the Heights Observer Style Guide for important information on story length and other details you need to know. For help getting started, see step by step guidelines below.*
Ready to submit? Then, go to the Member Center. This is where all the magic happens. From this page, you can submit stories about anything Heights-related that you desire. It's easy and fun. And, you can work on a story online, before you send it to our volunteer editors.
Do you have a good writing background? If you are interested in helping with the editorial process, please email publisher@heightsobserver.org
Learn about our editing procedures and requirements in the Heights Observer Style Guide.
Community Groups: Send us your News Releases-- If you have information on an event, organization, program, or news on anything that has to do with Heights, send it to: city.editor@heightsobserver.org
Calendar of Events To appear on our calendar of events, submit them online here.
Newsies/Delivery People-- The Heights Observer is always looking for people that would like to help deliver the newspaper around town for a couple of hours. If interested, email: delivery@heightsobserver.org
Get started as a citizen journalist: CoveringCommunities.org
Check out the Principles of Citizen Journalism from the Center for Citizen Media for in depth instruction on being a citizen journalist.
*Write a great article
Follow this step by step guide to a good article:
- Decide what your article will be about.
- Research the topic of your article.
- First paragraph: In the first few sentences, answer these questions!
Who?
What?
When?
Where?
Why? - Grab the reader's attention by using an opening sentence which is a question or something unexpected!
- Now, give the details. It is always a good idea to include one or two quotes from people you interviewed. Write in the third person (he, she, it or they). Be objective. Use active verbs so the reader feels things are really happening!
- Last paragraph: Round off your article. Try ending with a quote or a catchy phrase!
- By-line: At the end, state who wrote the article; 'By ....'.
- Decide where appropriate illustrations/pictures will be placed.
- Proof-read your article and edit where needed.
- Spell check your article!
- Send it in to the Heights Observer.
Courtesy Bedfordshire Libraries
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