SQLServerCentral Editorial

Open Call for Editorials

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One of the more popular parts of SQLServerCentral over the years has been the editorial piece featured in each day's newsletter. I've been writing these pieces for ten years and have enjoyed the opportunity to share thoughts and observations on topics that relate to SQL Server, your career, and more. 

I used to write all of these pieces myself and ensure I had a collection ready to publish at any time. Even when I took vacations, I ensured that there were a number of editorial pieces ready to publish in my absence. A few years ago I abandoned that practice and arranged for guest editorials or I re-published older, popular pieces. That has worked well in the past, in a limited number of newsletter slots, but this year I have a new challenge.  In June and July, I'm embarking on a Sabbatical from work and will be gone for an extended period. During my absence, I'd prefer not to re-run a large number of editorial pieces during that time.

As a result, I'm putting out an open call for editorial pieces. If you'd like a chance to express your opinion and get featured in the newsletter, please feel free to send a piece to the webmaster at this domain. We'll look through the submissions, send feedback to authors, and look to select a couple dozen pieces for publication this summer.

The Formalities

Since it's possible that we'll get hundreds of pieces, I have a few ground rules. 

First, use spell check, proof your work for grammar, and have a friend double check your work. If we find too many grammar or spelling mistakes in the first few sentences, we'll just reject the piece. I don't mean to sound harsh here, but I find so many articles submitted that haven't been proofed at all.

Second, be professional. Remember that while you might feel your rant is justified, we do require that you maintain some level of decorum. No insults, personal attacks, profanity, or other unprofessional behavior. 

Third, focus on a topic. I'd highly suggest you write a sentence that explains what you'd like to write about. Then write below that and periodically refer to that sentence at the top. If you're not sticking to the topic, then you're not focusing.

You can write about most anything to do with SQL Server, data, Microsoft, software development, career, or things that you debate with colleagues at a user group meeting or SQL Saturday. Just remember the rules above. Stories from your past are a great starting point if you're looking for topics.

Thick Skins Needed

The one thing I'll say about having written for the community for so many years is that someone will always disagree with you. Someone will complain about your thought, opinion, or perhaps even sentence structure. If you're not clear, someone will let you know. Writing for the public consumption means having a thick skin and being able to take some criticism, perhaps even harsh words.

If you want to write, and perhaps get into a debate in the discussion for your piece, be sure to have someone that can help you review replies to be sure they're rational and professional. A good friend or spouse can help you keep perspective when your work is under attack.

We'll pay you for your work, and a month after your piece is featured here, feel free to put it on your own blog and relish in the accomplishment of having your work viewed by over a million members of the SQL Server community.

Submissions

Please feel free to send a text file or Word file to the webmaster at this domain with the subject "Editorial Submission" or you can use the Write For Us link to the left and submit as an article.

Steve Jones

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