iconLog In  |  Register

Contribute

Smile Politely welcomes new writers to all departments. If you're interested in writing for us, please take the time to familiarize yourself with our content by reading a few of our featured articles to discern if your talent, insight, scope and professionalism will meet our standard. We welcome all reasonable points of view to the fold, so long as your writing falls with the general guidelines of our editorial mission to best serve the community of Champaign-Urbana. We're keen on writers who have the ability to string together clear, concise and interesting pieces that will grab the attention of a popular audience.

Please send the following material to us via e-mail at editors@smilepolitely.com:

  • A query letter telling us who you are, what sort of writing you've done, and why you would be a good fit for Smile Politely. Be sure to give us a specific pitch for your first article or column.
  • Three to five clips of previous work (published articles are preferred, but, if you're new to this game, just send along what you can). Whatever you put in our hands, make sure it demonstrates your potential as a periodical writer. We have great love for creative writers, academicians and niche bloggers, but we're currently working in a different mode.

Most Recent Comments

{username}

Can we please refrain from ever EVER comparing running a marathon to childbirth? Especially when the comparison is made by someone without a vagina? Kthx.

By Lena to the entry '"Nice flag, douchebag!": one man's quest to run as Lincoln on 03/13/10.
{username}

It’s hard a bit to learn more information close to this good post,but custom writing services will propose to buy essay to receive correct facts and thst’s doable to buy written essays per really small prices!

By VasquezLEONOR to the entry 'Baseball power rankings #3 on 03/13/10.
SFJon avatar

I think we are in.  But being blown out again by OSU might give the selection comittee doubts. I dunno anymore.

By SFJon to the entry 'Die another day on 03/13/10.
{username}

Mark: You raise some interesting points. I’m impressed by anyone who runs a marathon, no matter their finishing time.  It’s the commitment people show to accomplishing a goal they set for themselves that impresses me most. A sign I saw at the Illinois Marathon last year along…

By Jeff Kohmstedt to the entry '"Nice flag, douchebag!": one man's quest to run as Lincoln on 03/13/10.
{username}

To get back to the show, if that’s allowed, we saw it last night. I know a lot about the films of the 30s and 40s and appreciated what Durang was trying to do, though some was pretty obvious and the ending was forced. A literal kitchen…

By Bruce to the entry 'A review of "A History of the American Film" on 03/13/10.
John Steinbacher avatar

Every band in CU - I realize this is just a cheeky comment, but I wanted to respond anyway. I think this column is more about the scene and the support system than the bands themselves. The last thing I would ever want is for someone to…

By John Steinbacher to the entry 'Champaign Pop City on 03/13/10.
{username}

Interesting article, John.  I second your comments Doug.  I’d really like to see the two of you do a Siskel & Ebert-style review of albums.  Can SP make this happen? And if Noiseboy could reappear to DJ one day at Mike & Molly’s…

By Ryan, Son of Carl to the entry 'Champaign Pop City on 03/13/10.
Jason Z. avatar

@Ty   I think this article from last year is what you’re looking for: http://www.smilepolitely.com/food/talking_breakfast_at_the_market/    Enjoy!  

By Jason Z. to the entry 'Merry Ann's Diner to open in Urbana at Gregory Place on 03/13/10.
{username}

Thank you SP editors for removing a not-so-nice word from Pope’s comment. I was just going to comment on it myself, wondering if we need an article titled “Down with the F-word”. John, very interesting read. Huzzah for well-written local music opinion.

By David Ward to the entry 'Champaign Pop City on 03/13/10.
{username}

Ok folks, now that its obvious the wonder bread, gas station eggs, and pasteurized processed cheese food can be marked up sufficiently enough to open two restaurants during a recession and in the same five year span, ya think we can be a little demanding? I’m all…

By Ty to the entry 'Merry Ann's Diner to open in Urbana at Gregory Place on 03/13/10.
{username}

Everyband in CU - shutup (REMOVED BY SP EDITORS) at least this writer is speaking for himself, at least he has a real opinion you spineless capslock drunk fuck. sorry, anyways… what’s good, what’s bad. what’s rock, what’s indie. what’s real what’s not. In 2010, never has…

By Pope to the entry 'Champaign Pop City on 03/13/10.
{username}

WE’RE SORRY JOHN WE’LL TRY HARDER

By everybandincu to the entry 'Champaign Pop City on 03/13/10.
{username}

There went the neighborhood.

By Realityville to the entry 'Merry Ann's Diner to open in Urbana at Gregory Place on 03/12/10.
{username}

Now all you need is large Marge and the picture is complete! Congratulations Tony. I can’t wait. -Manna

By Mary Anna Pomonis to the entry 'Merry Ann's Diner to open in Urbana at Gregory Place on 03/12/10.
{username}

I had a great time reading around your post as I read it extensively.   Gold Coins

By Lance Armstrong to the entry 'To begin anew... again... on 03/12/10.
{username}

I had a great time reading around your post as I read it extensively.   Gold

By Simon Dale to the entry 'Spring break confessions on 03/12/10.
{username}

If you’re bored than you’re boring…damn I must be boring too!

By LoFi to the entry 'Champaign Pop City on 03/12/10.
Tony Pomonis avatar

...Papa Bear was applauding. 

By Tony Pomonis to the entry 'Jeff Jordan had a point to make on 03/12/10.
{username}

Zeleni, I had the exact same theory only with the mysterious Man in Black/Smokie granting the wishes. MIB promised Sayid he could have anything in the world he wanted, which turned out to be Nadia. Although he does not necessarily “have” her, she has not died yet…

By Ryan to the entry 'To begin anew... again... on 03/12/10.
Timbo avatar

I like Kaiyo A LOT, but at Sushi Kame (next to the art theatre) you can get an absolute shitload of good sushi, plus miso, and a bit of noodles in a vineagar cucumber salad for $21, and you know it was made just for you. I…

By Timbo to the entry 'Kaiyo a surprising delight for buffet on 03/12/10.

Most Popular Articles (14 days)

  1. All’s well, no worries, next year will be great! Posted to Sports by Rob McColley on 03/08/10
  2. Looking down the barrel of the NIT Posted to Sports by Rob McColley on 02/28/10
  3. Forget it, Jake. It’s Champaign-Urbana featured_postPosted to Opinion by Stuart Tarr on 03/01/10
  4. If You’re Bored, Then You’re Boring Posted to Culture by Beth D on 03/04/10
  5. Saigon to Bangkok in… Savoy Posted to Food & Drink by Vincent Pham on 03/02/10
  6. A road in search of a reason Posted to Opinion by Stuart Tarr on 03/03/10
  7. A folk pop antidote to the drunken plague Posted to Music by Annie Weisner on 03/03/10
  8. The Plastic Generation Posted to Culture by Joni Jeffries on 03/05/10
  9. The Last Waltz roundtable Posted to Arts by Smile Politely Writers on 03/03/10
  10. Die another day Posted to Sports by Rob McColley on 03/12/10

Recent Searches

  1. 1901 (1 Results)
  2. tom selleck (2 Results)
  3. rent (1878 Results)
  4. gcap (8 Results)
  5. lonely trailer (26 Results)
  6. 1889 (1 Results)
  7. 1768 (1 Results)
  8. 1880 (1 Results)
  9. 1880 (1 Results)
  10. 1933 (1 Results)
  11. great impasta (20 Results)
  12. 1932 (1 Results)
  13. r word (860 Results)
  14. r word (860 Results)
  15. 1889 (1 Results)
  16. 1416 (2 Results)
  17. hot cops (49 Results)
  18. economic growth (20 Results)
  19. economic growth (20 Results)
  20. 1687 (12 Results)

Log In



Auto-login on future visits

Forgot your password?