A guide to the From Readers section

What is published here

The Columbia Missourian wants to publish your work in our From Readers section. Any photos, poems, stories, editorials, essays or other local and original content are valuable to us. We consider them stories, and we want to publish them.

Previous stories from readers can be found at MyMissourian.com, the site that used to host stories from readers. Examples include:

• A refugee's ruminations on wanting to become a U.S. citizen
• A poetic reflection on life
• An MU student group's celebration of the Taiwanese New Year
• A frequent contributor's photographs of a warm January day
• A high school student's personal essay about the loss of a friend
• A Libyan's perspective on life under the Gadhafi regime

We encourage you to send photos with your story. Generally, even photos taken with cellphone cameras are of high enough quality for publishing online. We'll also take video submissions (which are easiest to handle if they're posted on a site like YouTube — we can embed them on our site from there).

Our only request is that you abide by the same rules outlined in our comments policy:

• Don't use obscene, profane or vulgar language.
• Don't use language that makes personal attacks on fellow commenters or discriminates based on race, religion, gender or ethnicity.
• Use your real first and last name when submitting your story or other items.
• Don’t solicit or promote businesses. Mentioning your business or submitting a story about your business is fine, but please refrain from posting commercial advertising or promotions.

Submitting your work

The process for submitting your work is simple. Send an email to submissions@ColumbiaMissourian.com with your story attached or pasted in the email. If you prefer, you can send mail to Columbia Missourian, Attn: Submissions, 221 S. Eighth St., Columbia, MO 65211.

Please include these three things:

1. Your real name to be used for your byline.
2. One sentence about you or your relationship to the story.
3. An idea for a headline you would suggest for your story, but please note that it might be changed for readability.

Editing process

All content is reviewed by an editor with a gentle hand before it is published. We are happy to help you with spelling, grammar and writing style, but we will try to maintain your own words and tone. If needed, we will contact you to clarify information. We'd also be happy to help hone your writing. If you'd like a bit more assistance, mention it in your submissions email.

Questions?

Email Joy Mayer, the Missourian's director of community outreach, at mayerj@missouri.edu.