Would you love to write for The Washington Post, one of the most esteemed global newspapers? 

With the right approach and understanding of the submission process, your dream of being published in The Washington Post can become a reality. So, get ready to learn all the secrets here, and you’ll be ready to pitch.

>>> How to Get Published in the New York Times: Pitching Tips and Tricks

Write for the Washington Post

This paper offers various opportunities for writers to contribute, with op-eds being one of the most sought-after avenues. To write for the Washington Post, you should know a couple of key things.

Knowing how to pitch them is critical!

Here’s a breakdown: 

  • Op-Ed Focus and Length: Op-eds should be concise and focused, ideally between 750 to 800 words. This brevity ensures that your message is clear and impactful. Remember, clarity is key! 
  • Crafting Your Thesis: Your op-ed’s main argument, or thesis, is paramount. Make it easily identifiable and understandable. Imagine condensing your entire piece into a tweet or a short email. If your main point isn’t clear in this format, your op-ed might need further refinement.

What are Washington Post Editors Seeking?

Like all editors, those at the Post editors seek compelling, well-crafted content that informs, inspires, and engages their audience. Understanding what they are looking for will increase your chances of getting noticed.  

However, unlike many publications that accept pitches, The Washington Post prefers complete drafts. This means you’ll need to have your op-ed polished and ready for submission.

  • It’s good to have a fully written piece, but that doesn’t mean you can’t pitch an idea if you don’t want to dedicate that time to the full essay. So take the advice about having a full draft done with a grain of salt. Either way, you still need a compelling PITCH written out to get their attention and get the even look at a draft. 

If the publication touches on your niche or topic of interest, It includes several categories to pitch!

Sections to pitch include:

  • National
  • Business
  • Sports
  • Foreign
  • Style/Arts
  • Books 
  • Food
  • Health/Science
  • Travel

Those are the basics, but you can find editors for each section before pitching!

Editors at the Washington Post

While there’s a generic submissions email address, my rule is to do some digging and find the email addresses of specific section editors. It’s not always easy, but standing out from the crowd is worth it.

So, how can you find them? Google searches, Twitter, and Linked In are all great places to start. There’s always to find an email address. I got tired of searching, so I compiled a complete list of section editors, pitching guidelines, and their email addresses in one place. 

>> Freelance Writing Rates: How to Determine Your Worth

Getting Published in the Washington Post

Getting published in The Washington Post requires more than good writing. It demands a thorough understanding of the publication’s submission guidelines and targeted sections. You can increase your chances of catching the editors’ attention by crafting a compelling article that adheres to the length requirements and focusing on a clear thesis. 

Remember to include what the editors are seeking, including emailing separate editor’s email addresses related to your article.

Persistence and patience are key in the competitive world of journalism. So, hone your ideas, refine your drafts, and embark on seeing your work published!

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