Frequently Asked Questions

Below are some of our most frequently asked questions. If your inquiry is not addressed by one of the questions below, please contact the PA TIMES editor.

I have an idea for an article, but I don’t know if it is suitable for PA TIMES. Is there someone I can talk to about it?
Yes. Please send an email with your idea to the editor, Karen Garrett, at [email protected].

How do I submit an article to PA TIMES?
Articles for consideration to PA TIMES should be submitted as a Word document via email to [email protected]. Articles should include a 25-word bio with an email address. (The bio will not count against your total word count.)

What happens to an article after I submit it?
Following submission, the article is reviewed by the PA TIMES editorial team for relevance to theme, flow, grammar and syntax. If the article is selected for an issue, the author is notified. (If an article is not selected, an email indicating such will be sent. It is PA TIMES editorial policy that we do not provide rationale or resubmission to rejected articles.)

How can I find out what topics will be covered in a specific issue of PA TIMES?
An editorial calendar for the electronic and print editions of PA TIMES is available and can help you identify upcoming topics. 

What is AP style?
Associated Press style is the most common format for news writing. To learn more about this style, click here.

Why are footnotes or end notes not accepted?
PA TIMES focuses on reporting issues related to public administration and uses AP style. This style emphasizes a narrative format and as such we encourage authors to consider other ways to identify sources. Click here to review basics of the AP style to learn how sources are quoted.  

Can I submit the same article to PA TIMES for the print AND electronic edition?
Yes, but please note that there are different themes for each edition and different word length requirements. Please review the submission criteria prior to submitting an article.

There are not any deadlines for issues of PA TIMES Online. How can I know when to submit an article for consideration?
PA TIMES Online is published twice a week on a particular theme. As a result, we accept submissions related to the current theme on a rolling basis.

I applied to be a columnist and did not receive a response. What should I do now?
PA TIMES does not reply to applications that are not accepted. If you did not hear from the PA TIMES editorial team about your application, you can assume we were not able to accept your application. Please feel free to apply again in the future. If you have applied multiple times and have not been accepted, it is most likely because your writing is not of a high enough quality. Please review our style guide and request assistance from your professional network to polish your writing before applying again.