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Newspapers

Sending Your Story

The subject of your story will probably determine the newspapers it should be submitted to. Local stories go to the local papers. Stories that may be of interest to people throughout the state should be more widely distributed. In Tennessee, we have several statewide publications devoted to agriculture. These include Tennessee Cooperator, Tennessee Farm Bureau News and Tennessee Farmer.

• Learn the papers' deadlines. By what time must a story be submitted for inclusion in the day's/week's edition? What are the editors' busy work hours/days?
• Learn who's who on each paper's staff.
• Read the newspapers. Are there regular columns that might use your material? What is each paper's style? Policies? Do papers welcome stories from outside, or do they prefer news tips to their own reporters?
• Don't wait until the last minute to send your story. Try to give the editors enough time to plan ahead for the best time to print your story. Use deadlines only as a guide for your planning.
• Don't miss deadlines.
• Don't call or drop in on editors during their busy times.
• Don't be upset if your story isn't printed. The paper has many releases to consider. Don't give up. Don't call and complain. If you feel you must say something, approach the editor positively: "What can I do to make my copy more acceptable?"

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