Straight Goods is a news and consumer information publication with the editorial mandate of helping readers save money, protect their rights and untangle spin. We're looking for articles that expose and inform and also that provide useful resources on and off the Internet for further research and action. We want to help people save money, protect their rights and untangle spin.
We prefer news and a journalistic approach to commentary. The best articles are loaded with facts and tell a story fast and clearly. Interviews and research sources are important components of the kind of news story we like. A timely news angle is also important. A political tie-in is often valuable, examining the political impact and accountability connected with a story.
Articles must include strong leads and introductory paragraphs that make very clear what the story is about and what the reader will get out of it. This may include hints, teasers, summaries, sidebars and other ways to flag for readers what they can learn by reading more. Please include useful URLs and email addresses for follow-up and further information.
Avoid whenever possible:
- Big words, sentences and paragraphs;
- Abstract nouns;
- Adjectives;
- Excessive use of articles, modifiers, the word "that", etc.;
- The use of footnotes. (Where research sources should be cited, do so in the text itself as part of the story.)
Canadian spellings are preferred.
Due to the nature of the content, scrupulous fact-checking is required. Endnotes or footnotes may be used to indicate to the editors the sources of information, but most articles will not include footnotes.
All unsolicited queries or manuscripts should be submitted in text format via e-mail to Penney Kome, Editor at penney@straightgoods.com.
Please send all stories as text, copied and pasted into the body of your email. Please do NOT send any manuscripts as attachments. They probably will not be read.
Stories should be accompanied with biographical notes on the author and detail, where appropriate, on research sources. A good quality digital photo of the author (head and shoulders) would be appreciated as well.
At this point, Straight Goods cannot pay writers for their work, but we can offer subscriptions, promotion, and other incentives.
Writers retain all rights to their contributions and are free to submit stories published by Straight Goods, elsewhere. Straight Goods will refer all requests for reprints to the writer.
For more information, please contact penney@straightgoods.com.
