The Daily Dispatch needs writers who can actually write. Not people who are cranking out the same boring stuff you see everywhere else. . Not folks who believe journalism is about rewriting announcements and adding a headline on top. Can you explain things without boring readers to death, ask good questions, and write like a human instead of a corporate robot? Then we want to hear from you. No journalism degree needed. No fancy portfolio required. Can you report accurately and write well? That’s all we care about.
What We Want
Articles that tell readers something worth knowing. A new angle everyone else missed. Information people need but aren’t getting. Analysis that makes complicated stuff make sense without talking down to anyone. Write about the UK economy, politics, business, social issues, whatever affects how people live. If it matters to real people, it probably matters to us. We’re not interested in hot takes just for the sake of it. We’re not publishing “10 Ways the Economy Is Broken” or whatever listicle format’s trendy this week. We want proper reporting and thoughtful pieces.
How to Write for Us
Write like you’re explaining something to your mate down the pub. Someone who’s intelligent but doesn’t obsess over this topic daily. No jargon without explaining it. No assuming everyone knows what the Monetary Policy Committee does or why gilt yields matter. Short paragraphs work well. Longer is fine too if that’s what the story requires. We are not a GCSE English teacher ticking off sentences and paragraphs. Most articles run 600 to 1,000 words. Some need more. Some need less. If you find yourself fretting about word count, then you’re overthinking it. Just write what the story needs, and we will sort it out. Use contractions. Write “don’t,” not “do not.” Write “it’s,” not “it is.” Nobody talks like a Victorian letter. Don’t write like one either. British English. Colour not color. Whilst not while. Realise not realize. We’re British, not American.
Here’s What We’re Looking For:
- Submit complete author details so we understand your background and the topics you’re interested in.
- Articles must be informative, engaging, helpful, and written in a human tone. Light humor is welcome as long as it remains respectful.
- Content should be well-written, concise, and a minimum of 800 words.
- We strongly value originality and accuracy. Submissions must be free from grammatical errors, 100% original, unique, and not AI-generated.
- Any content copied or republished from another website will be rejected and flagged.
- If you include external sources, quotes, facts, or data, ensure proper and accurate referencing.
- Content or links related to Casino/Gambling, CBD, or Adult topics will be automatically rejected without explanation.
- Avoid using naked URLs within the article body.
- If images are included, provide the original source for proper attribution. Images must not contain embedded text.
- Do not use copyrighted images under any circumstances.
- Place your backlink naturally within the content; avoid inserting links in the first or last paragraphs.
- Ensure the article is easy to read, clear, and engaging while maintaining high editorial quality. Avoid unnecessary jargon or buzzwords unless relevant to the subject matter.
- Sales-driven, promotional, or self-advertising content is not accepted.
- Once published, guest posts will not be removed from the website.
Because of the high volume of content we receive, our response time may take up to 2-7 working days.
What We Won’t Publish
Anything copied from anywhere else. If you’re just rewriting someone else’s piece in slightly different words, don’t bother. AI content. None. Zero. Not drafts. Not outlines. Avoid, “I just used it for the intro.” We can spot it a mile off. Don’t waste our time trying. Our readers come here for human voices. They can get generic algorithmic slop anywhere. They come to us because they can’t get that rubbish here. Check your facts. Names, figures, dates, and quotes. All of it. If you’re guessing about something important, either verify it properly or leave it out. Sloppy research makes us all look rubbish.
Say What You Think
Strong opinions are fine. Being nasty isn’t. You can argue forcefully against ideas without attacking the people behind them personally. Writing about something controversial? Good. Make your case properly. Don’t assume everyone already agrees. Don’t talk down to people who don’t.
Editing
Our editors might tighten sentences or fix awkward bits. Nothing major changes without asking you first. Your voice stays yours. If something’s unclear, they’ll ask. If a fact seems dodgy, they’ll check. The point is to make your piece stronger, not rewrite it into something you wouldn’t recognise.
Pitching
Got an idea? Email us a few sentences about what you want to write and why it matters. That’s it. We don’t need a formal proposal, template, and any corporate nonsense. Tell us the topic, your angle on it, and why readers should be interested. We should be able to get back to you rapidly with a yes, n,o or some questions.
After We Publish
Share your piece wherever you want. Stick it on social media. Show your mum. Whatever. Some people write one thing and disappear. Others become regulars. Both are fine. Write when you’ve got something to say. Don’t force it when you haven’t.
What We Definitely Don’t Want
- Copied stories pretending to be articles. Marketing dressed up as journalism. Puff pieces about your mate’s company.
- Clickbait headlines with nothing underneath. Recycled trending topics where you’re saying what everyone else already said. Takes that are contrarian purely for the sake of being different.
- If you’re mainly after a link for SEO, this isn’t the place. If you’re after saying something worth reading, crack on.
Other Stuff
- Deadlines matter. If you pitch something timely and we accept it, get it to us while it’s still timely. News goes stale fast.
- Reply to editor questions reasonably quickly. They’re not chasing you for fun. They’re trying to publish your work.
- Pitch multiple ideas if you want. Some will work. Some won’t. That’s normal. Don’t take it personally.
Why We’re Doing This
Too much online journalism is rubbish right now. Generic. Dull. Written by people who don’t seem bothered whether anyone reads it or not. We are trying to publish better stuff. Articles that people want to read because they are informative and well-written, and useful instead of just filling space on a website. British journalism used to be good. We’d quite like to keep that tradition going instead of watching it turn into algorithmic mush designed to trick search engines. If that’s what you want to write, send us your pitch.