Overview

This guide explains how to publish short, policy-relevant pieces in public outlets (e.g. op-eds or analysis pieces in outlets like Lawfare or The Hill). Publishing in public venues can help you build your credentials and reputation, shape policy debates, and strengthen your public engagement skills. We’ll walk through how to choose your article type and outlet, how to pitch an editor, and how to write effectively for policy audiences.

Why publish in policy outlets?

Publishing for a public, policy-relevant audience can help you:

1. Build your public profile, credibility, and visibility: Writing for respected, domain-relevant outlets can help establish you as an expert in your field and strengthen your competitiveness for future roles. Writing publicly also increases the chances that people in your field will hear about your work and reach out.
2. Influence opinion on an important issue: Your article may shape decision-making, whether by shifting many individuals’ views in ways that pay off over time or by reaching specific decision-makers at a pivotal moment.
3. Develop media and public engagement skills: Many (though not all) high-level policy and think tank positions require public-facing content and interaction with journalists, whether writing op-eds or responding to inbound media requests. Writing, pitching, and publishing an article can help you develop an intuition for what works and what doesn’t.

You don’t need to be a senior expert to publish in many policy outlets. Early-career professionals—including graduate students, junior think tank staff, and policy fellows—can often place articles, especially if they bring a timely perspective, relevant experience, or subject-matter insight. In fact, publishing is often most valuable for those earlier in their careers, as a stepping stone to build credibility, showcase interest in a policy area, and open up new professional opportunities.

An alternative: Starting your own platform

While this guide focuses on publishing with established outlets, creating your own platform—such as a personal blog or a Substack newsletter—is an option worth considering. You won’t get the instant credibility of writing for a recognizable brand, but self-publishing makes it easier to: 

1. Build a direct audience: A personal platform fosters relationships with subscribers who value your specific perspective. You’ll likely build more name recognition with your readers than you would as an occasional contributor to other outlets, and cultivating a respected reputation with the right audience can translate directly into career opportunities.¹ 
2. Exercise editorial control: Unrestricted creative autonomy enables you to choose the topic, tone, and timing of every piece. Going without a professional editor removes a layer of quality control, so it’s still good practice to seek feedback before publishing. This could include using LLMs like ChatGPT to spot errors and refine your prose. 
3. Publish anonymously: If you want to share ideas without linking them to your professional identity, a pseudonym can be a low-stakes way to test public writing.²

See this piece for another perspective on the advantages of platforms like Substack. 

A note of caution

Taking a public stance—especially on high-profile, controversial, or politicized issues—can help build your reputation and network, but it may also attract criticism or signal alignment in ways you don’t intend. For some career paths (particularly those where perceived partisanship may be a barrier to entry), being associated with controversial beliefs or ideologies can limit professional opportunities. 

If you want to keep these opportunities open while building an online reputation, you’ll need to strike a delicate balance. When choosing your topics and positions: 

• Anticipate reactions: Think about how different readers (including potential employers) might receive your article, and weigh whether the piece aligns with your long-term professional goals. 
• Support your positions: When taking a firm stance, ensure that it rests on a foundation of facts and reasoned arguments. 
• Avoid needlessly inflammatory language: The rhetorical impact of provocative framings and insults may not be worth the professional price you could pay down the road.

If you’re unsure whether publishing a piece will be positive for your career, consider seeking the advice of a trusted mentor or experienced policy professional.

Types of articles and policy outlets

Your purpose and intended audience should inform the type of article you write and the outlet you publish in. The following sections cover key differences across each. 

Types of articles

Publications vary in their expectations around tone, structure, and length, but most policy pieces fall into one of several standard formats.

• Op-eds (~600-1,000 words): Take a clear position on current debates. 
  • Example: “What if There Was Never A Pandemic Again?”
• Analysis pieces (~1,000-2,000 words): More formal and longer than op-eds; can argue a thesis or remain impartial.
  • Example: “The Illusion of China’s AI Prowess” (argumentative) vs. “What Comes After COVID-19?” (neutral analysis)
  • Book reviews, one type of analysis piece, use a recent publication as a jumping-off point for broader commentary. Example: “The Global Might of the Tiny Chip”
• Blog posts (e.g. Substacks): Personal blogs are typically less formal, and can be much more niche than formal publications. Some popular Substacks publish pieces from guest authors (e.g. Slow Boring), and some institutions (e.g. Journal of Medical Ethics) maintain blogs in addition to more formal venues.
  • Example: “How much certainty is enough? Immunity passports and COVID-19”, “The Case for Rapprochement with Russia” 
• Letters to the editor (~150-250 words): Brief responses making one or two points about a published article.
  • Example: “The expanded child tax credit should be reinstated”

Types of outlets

The landscape of external publications is broad. Each of these platforms has a different audience, style, and submission process.

Choosing an outlet

In addition to considering fit based on the columns in the above table, you’ll also want to consider:

• Mutual connections with editors, if relevant: A warm intro or a mutual connection can significantly improve your chances of getting a response from an editor. Consider prioritizing any relevant editors who are already in your network (e.g. through school, work, or friends).
• Topical alignment: Editors are more likely to seriously consider your pitch if it fits the outlet’s interests and audience (e.g. national security for War on the Rocks, emerging technology for MIT Tech Review, legal topics for Lawfare). Strengthen your article pitch by researching the outlet and adjusting your framing based on its focus. 
• Strength of your piece: Your piece is more likely to be published if it is well-written, timely, conforms to the outlet’s length and style requirements, and offers a clear, compelling argument or insight.
• Political alignment: Consider the outlet’s editorial perspective. Non-partisan outlets often avoid publishing politically charged articles. Partisan outlets may publish a non-partisan analysis, so long as it doesn’t directly contradict their political preferences. 
• Your level of seniority: High-profile publications (e.g. New York Times, Washington Post, and other major national newspapers) rarely accept unsolicited op-eds from current students or early-career professionals unless the piece is especially compelling or timely. Many outlets have a lower bar, but your chances of acceptance still typically increase with experience and prior publication history.
• Your institutional affiliation: Being affiliated with a well-known organization (e.g. a think tank, academic center, or government body) can make editors more likely to take your pitch seriously. Some outlets (like think tank blogs or student-run journals) mainly publish work by internal staff or students, so consider first exploring any opportunities available via your institution. 

While ambition is valuable, be realistic in choosing your outlets—you might include 1 or 2 “stretch” outlets in your target list, but high-profile publications like the New York Times or Washington Post are extremely selective and rarely accept unsolicited submissions, especially from early-career writers. More niche or specialized outlets (like Lawfare, The Conversation, or well-regarded Substacks) can still reach influential and targeted audiences while offering much more accessible entry points for building your public brand and credibility.

See the appendix for a list of many policy-relevant outlets. 

What should you write about?

Your topic should hit at an intersection of three things: 

1. Something you know well. You don’t need to be a deep expert, but you should be familiar enough with the topic to write with insight and credibility (though legible expertise in your topic from previous work or educational experiences does help).
2. Something important. It’s generally not worth writing on small, unimportant matters if your goal is to inform your audience and improve public policy. Avoid highly niche or minor issues unless you can clearly explain why they matter.
3. Something with a real chance of getting accepted. The Overton Window is wider for writers than for politicians, but most mainstream outlets still won’t publish pieces that seem out of touch with their audience, editorial priorities, or current news cycle. Aim to choose a topic that’s timely, clearly relevant, and likely to interest the outlet’s readers.

Writing about your expertise/research

Writing about your policy specialization or area of interest has several advantages: 

• You’ll find it easier to write with authority and nuance.
• The piece could advance your actual policy goals.
• It can build your credibility in the area most relevant to your work.

A common challenge of writing about your expertise is relevance. If your topic isn’t newsy or familiar to general readers, publishing may be an uphill battle. The main task of your pitch, then, is to make your expertise newsworthy by relating it to current events. If you’re writing in your area of expertise, be especially mindful of explaining your ideas in clear, accessible terms for readers who don’t share your background. See the section on How to write a policy article for more information. 

Writing about what’s in the news 

You can also lead with the news. If a policy topic you know something about is getting media attention, consider pitching a timely take, even if it’s not your main focus area.⁵

If you notice an op-ed arguing a view that you disagree with, you can also pitch an op-ed with a differing view to the same news outlet—editors are often interested in running counterpoints.

Example: This piece responded to the announcement of COVID-19 human challenge trials in the UK.

Writing about an outlet’s specialization

Some outlets or verticals have specific focuses, which makes it easier to anticipate topics of interest. For instance: 

• The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists focuses on scientific and security topics, such as Disruptive Technologies, Biosecurity, and Nuclear Risk.
• Lawfare focuses on national security and legal topics.
• Slate’s Future Tense focuses on emerging technologies and public policy.

Co-authoring

Co-authoring an article can help by splitting the workload, strengthening the final product, and boosting placement chances (particularly if your co-author is reputable and well-connected in the article’s topic area).⁶ More senior and credentialed people have a much higher chance of getting their articles published, but they’re often too busy to write frequently. That creates a natural opportunity: by partnering with someone who trusts your work (e.g. a professor, mentor, or senior colleague), you can put in more time and drafting support while benefiting from their experience and name recognition.

But be judicious in choosing a co-author: misalignments in thinking, communication styles, or work habits can make co-authoring more burdensome than beneficial.

Some outlets don’t accept pieces with more than two authors, so check before submitting.

How to write a policy article

You should generally have your article drafted before you begin pitching to outlets. You’ll want to be prepared in case of quick acceptance, and you should be wary of promising something you can’t effectively deliver. 

Once you’ve identified your target outlet(s), spend some time getting familiar with its tone, format, and audience. Start by reviewing:

• The submission guidelines of that outlet
• Recent articles from the same section—especially the ones that seem most effective

The best way to learn how to write an op-ed is by reading lots of op-eds. One helpful writing exercise is trying to mimic the tone, style, or structure of an author you admire with an original topic. In addition to the following tips, see further resources below.

Keep your piece simple and grounded. When writing for policy outlets, experts and policy wonks often assume too much audience knowledge and make their piece too technical, or fail to place their topic within a larger context (the “curse of knowledge”). Err toward simplicity (e.g. avoid jargon and convoluted sentences) and make sure to explain why what you’re saying matters. 

Use a clean structure. A solid structure for most articles is: 

• A hook that frames the issue and stakes
• A thesis or core argument/takeaway (ideally in the first few paragraphs)
• 2–4 key points, each supported by examples, evidence, or logic
• A conclusion that reinforces your main message and (optionally) suggests next steps

Consider sending your draft to friends and colleagues for review before submission. Ask for and be open to constructive feedback. You might ask questions like:

• Is the core message clear?
• Does it feel too technical or too basic?
• Do you come away thinking this article needed to exist?

How to pitch your article

Many outlets have generic pitch emails or submission forms (e.g. this from the Washington Post). Only use this as a last resort—whenever possible, pitch a specific editor directly. 

Timeline

Once you’ve found three to five outlets that you’re comfortable pitching to, you’ll want to:

1. Send your first pitch email
2. Follow up two to three days later⁷
3. Follow up once more two to three days after that
4. (If no response) Repeat for the next outlet

Typically, only pitch one outlet at a time. It’s frowned upon to pitch many places the same op-ed at once, since multiple outlets may say yes. (It’s generally more permissible to pitch several editors at the same outlet simultaneously.)

If your article is highly timely, you might only get one or two chances to pitch it before the topic goes stale, so choose your first outlets carefully. 

Finding the right editor (and their email) 

• Search the outlet’s masthead (e.g. NYT masthead) or editorial page to identify the most relevant editor—usually someone covering opinion, science/tech, or your policy area.
• Aim to find a mutual connection to an editor whenever possible. A personal introduction is almost always better than a cold email.⁸ If you know people who have published in policy outlets, ask them for advice—and if the topic and outlet are a good fit, see if they’d be willing to introduce you to the editor they worked with. If available, don’t overlook your organization’s in-house communications expertise: Many think tanks, for instance, have media or publications teams that can provide specialized guidance. 
• If you are cold emailing, first check if the masthead includes email addresses. If not, try tools like ContactOut, RocketReach, or searching “Editor Name” + email.
• Only pitch the generic submission email if you cannot find an editor’s email. 

Writing the pitch

Make your pitch concise and punchy, especially for cold emails, but include enough detail for the editor to evaluate the piece. At a minimum, you should describe the core idea in a few sentences and highlight your main argument or takeaway. 

In many cases, especially if you’re not already known to the editor, it’s helpful to paste the full draft below your email (with the caveat that it’s just a draft). This gives the editor a better sense of your writing and increases the odds of a response. Including full information is less necessary for places you’re already connected to, or if you’re already reputable in your field.

Here’s a template you can use:

For example: 

What to do after your piece is accepted

If your article is accepted, follow these best practices:

• Communicate promptly and professionally. If the editor sends back revisions, respond quickly and respectfully. Keep your tone collaborative, and clarify any questions or disagreements early. Keep in mind that editors will typically title your piece, but it’s appropriate to offer respectful pushback if you feel their headline choice is too distorting or hyperbolic.
• Don’t share or repost the piece prematurely. Wait until the article is officially published before circulating it publicly or submitting related content elsewhere.
• Respect the outlet’s publishing terms. Some outlets prohibit reposting on personal blogs or require exclusivity for a set period. Follow any instructions around embargoes, confidentiality, or attribution.
• Promote the piece once it’s live. Share it on platforms like Twitter, LinkedIn, or relevant newsletters and Slack groups. A few thoughtful posts (and nudging colleagues to share) can significantly extend your reach.
• Thank your editor. A short, sincere thank-you note goes a long way, especially if you hope to write for them again.

Career opportunities

Some fellowship programs are designed to help writers publish policy pieces, often providing editorial guidance, mentorship, and funding to establish or strengthen your public writing portfolio. Here are some opportunities worth exploring:  

• Tarbell Fellowship: Program for early-career writers focused on AI journalism. Fellows receive 10 weeks of training before being beginning 9-month placements in major newsrooms. 
• Bulletin of Atomic Scientists Editorial Fellows Program: One-year fellowship for writers to publish regular columns on nuclear risk, climate change, biosecurity, or disruptive technologies. 
• Works in Progress & Asimov Press Writing Fellowship: Six-month fellowship; fellows produce monthly articles on scientific progress, biotechnology, metascience, and related topics. 
• Asterisk AI Blogging Fellowship: Six-week fellowship for writers to produce three blog posts about AI, including editorial support, peer workshopping, mentorship from prominent AI writers, and cross-posting to Asterisk’s AI vertical.
• Tech Policy Press Fellowship Program: Year-long, part-time fellowship enabling writers to pursue reporting and analysis projects on technology policy.

Further reading

• Washington Post: The Washington Post guide to writing an opinion article
• NBC: Tips for Pitching the Media
• Duke: Writing Effective Op-Eds
• George Orwell: Politics and the English Language
• Breaking Defense: Offering policy advice for the next administration? Be realistic.
• War on the Rocks: War, Peace, and Politics: Reflections on Writing

Appendix: List of outlets

Note: Many outlets’ policies on accepting op-eds change over time. Before pitching, check whether the outlet is currently publishing external opinion pieces and review any submission guidelines. Even outlets that run op-eds regularly can be highly selective and may only accept a small number of unsolicited submissions.

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Policy cover letters

Networking in policy

Policy skills

Partisan affiliation

Policy career resources

Testing your fit for policy careers

Professional development for policy careers

Using LinkedIn for policy roles

Footnotes