Be West Haven’s next big voice. The West Haven Courier is looking for local columnists.
Do you have something to say about life in West Haven? Maybe you know every trail and park in town, never miss a public meeting, or can’t stop talking about the best new place to eat. We’d love to give you a regular column.
Who we are
The West Haven Courier is a free, independent local news site for West Haven, Connecticut. We cover the news, events, businesses and people that make this town home. We’re building the audience, and you have the stories. Let’s make you West Haven’s next big voice.
Beats we’re looking to fill
- Family & Parenting
- Government & Civics
- Real Estate & Home
- Food & Dining
- Business & Main Street
- Seniors & Health
- Arts & Culture
- Outdoors & Shoreline
- Pitch your own. Have a topic West Haven should be reading about? Tell us.
What we’re looking for
- You live or work in West Haven or a nearby town.
- You can contribute weekly or monthly.
- Your columns run about 600 to 1,000 words.
- Your work is original and hasn’t been published anywhere else.
- Your own photos are welcome.
You don’t need a journalism degree. Knowing your subject and caring about West Haven matter most.
How it works
Every columnist gets their own byline, an author bio and photo, and an author page that collects all of their columns. You’ll get your own Contributor login to the West Haven Courier, where you write and submit your drafts. Our editors review every column and work with you before it publishes, so each piece is ready for readers.
You may promote your own business, products or services, with links, as long as it’s clearly disclosed to readers. Ad revenue on your stories, from the West Haven Courier’s direct advertisers and from ad networks, is split 50/50 with you each month. We bring the readers, you drive the conversation.
Being upfront with readers
If you have a business interest in your topic, such as a realtor writing about real estate, you’ll disclose it in your bio and in your column. Expertise is welcome. We just want readers to know where you’re coming from.
Student journalists welcome
Write for your school paper, or want to? High school journalism students and school-paper writers can cover their own school for the West Haven Courier: games and sports, clubs, performances, events and the people who make it special. Our editors review every story and help you polish it, and it runs under your own byline, a great clip for college applications.
Writers under 18 need a parent or guardian’s OK. To get started, email news@westhavencourier.com with “Student journalist” in the subject line, and tell us your school and what you’d like to cover.
How to apply
Tell us a little about yourself. Please send:
- Your name
- Your town
- The beat you’d like to write (or your own idea)
- A few sentences about yourself
- 1–2 writing samples or links if you have them (no worries if you don’t!)
Email news@westhavencourier.com with “Column application” in the subject line. We read every application.