The Maine Trust’s opinion section publishes 20-25 guest opinion pieces, or op-eds, every single week. Anybody who has a point of view about something can submit an opinion piece for publication. We’re especially eager to hear from people who have yet to contribute to our section.

A good opinion piece:

– makes a clear and original argument, outlines a well-supported perspective. One good way of anchoring your argument is to begin by writing a working headline that summarizes your point. What is it you are about to say?

– is column length, between 550 and 650 words in length for print, with some flexibility online and on Sundays (if you can make your point in 250 words or fewer, please consider writing a letter to the editor).

– includes references – better again, hyperlinks! – to support the stats, facts or information used to make a case.

– is “timely,” often referring to something in the news or reflecting on an emerging trend.

– maintains a focus on Maine. More on that here. (With that said, we publish opinion writing on climate change, national politics, geopolitics, etc.)

– makes good use of the writer’s voice, personal experience or knowledge.

The opinion section does not accept: libel, open letters, arts reviews, verse, pieces that have been published by other outlets, pieces submitted anonymously or under pseudonyms. We cannot accept submissions generated by artificial intelligence, in whole or in part.

We allow an interval of between 30 and 60 days to elapse between contributions by the same writer. We cap the number of authors of an op-ed at two authors. 

To submit a draft for consideration, please email the editors at opinion@metln.org. That’s METLN.org. We’d ask that writers include a telephone number, home address and a line or two for “about the author(s).”

We’re really looking forward to hearing from you.