UpStateNH.com is a general resource for full time and summer residents as well as visitors to Carroll, Grafton and Coös counties. It includes tourism information, economic information, business, community & attraction profiles, a general business directory, tips for small businesses and business start-ups and small business development.

Guidelines:

We welcome your serious, well done, original and creative contributions. When suggesting a piece, give us a quote, and please anticipate observing the following:

1. Remember the audience: general readers. Use common vocabulary. Avoid overly technical words, industry terms, etc. Keep sentences to 30 words or less. If someone needs a dictionary or lexicon, or has to work to understand the article, it won't be accepted.

2. Unless otherwise requested, articles should be a minimum of 350 words, written in conversational style and use common vocabulary. There is no upper length limit but articles of 300-500 words are recommended but use whatever length is necessary to clearly cover the topic in 'an easy read'.

3. The articles that excite us most are about north country people, north country issues. Submitted articles may be less 'people centric', but should always clear application to local people, local people's needs.

4. You are welcome to submit photos with your article, and if we choose to use (it), we'll give you an additional $10.

5. If possible, try to include a quote from a minimum of 1-2 people from the coverage area, or state officials remarking about the state or the coverage area. These can be easily acquired by identifying yourself as a writer for UpStateNH.com and sending emails to targeted individuals. Example: http://upstatenh.com/IC/example.html. Exceptions might be 'improvement articles', etc.

6. Feel free to write about your personal experiences if they are germane to the topic.

7. Where personal experiences are included in the article, your humor is welcome.

8. If you suggest an online resource or form, also supply the readers with the web address to the resource.

9. If you suggest an activity or course of action, tell readers how much time they should allow or expect to spend, etc. Where applicable, suggest websites where readers can find additional information or recommend a book. Quote sources and/or incorporate current research to lend support to your statements.

10. You must supply names and contact information for sources/everyone quoted as an appendix to the article. These individuals may be 'spot checked' to insure accuracy. Their contact information will NOT be published. Facts quoted will always be double checked.

11. Be sure to include a brief biographical sketch about yourself (and a quality head shot photo if you are willing) for context and publication at the end of your articles.

12. Usually we include bylines. If you are at all squeamish about having your name online, use a pen name. Upon request we will omit your byline.

13. We welcome your story ideas and will green light meritorious ideas. Feel free to propose an idea or select from our Wanted Articles.

14. Various people review your work to track incoming stories, edit finished pieces, post articles and process payments. Please send all correspondence to news@upstatenh.com. Failure to do so may delay acceptance, payments, etc.

Avoid Common Mistakes:

1. Write with professional standards, using the pyramid format. Need to explore or brush up on it? Click https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/735/04/.

2. Avoid the 'question and answer' format or style of writing. It's tedious for the reader.

3. Be as conversational as possible. Keep sentence structures 'typical'.

4. Don't be verbose. Stay on topic and fill the article with more meat, not more words or more topics.

5. Do include original quotes: it makes the article more interesting and more relevant.

6. Do use spell check before submitting your articles.

7. When submitting an article, use an attachment in .wps file format (WORD 2007 Document), .pdf or paste it into an email.