2025 Dogwood Op-Ed Guidelines

 We welcome thought-provoking op-eds and essays from elected officials, candidates, activists, and other thought leaders. Specifically, we are looking to amplify diverse, pro-democracy voices on topics like:

• Economic and labor issues, especially from the perspective of everyday workers
• Reproductive freedom
• How cuts to federal funding impact Virginians
• Rural issues
• Education
• Virginia’s 2025 elections

Here are a few tips on what we’re looking for from an op-ed:

Things we like:

• Concise and focused pieces between 500–700 words
• Relevant and timely content
• A clear, structured argument or main point
• A unique perspective from a Virginian

Things we don’t like:

• Lack of structure or focus
• Overly broad content (i.e., discussing lots of different issues)
• Self-promotional pieces
• Intentionally inflammatory, libelous, or discriminatory language
• Submissions from writers outside of Virginia

To submit an op-ed, email a 250-word pitch or draft of a submission to [email protected] with VIRGINIA OP-ED PITCH in the subject line. We aim to publish one op-ed per week; please understand that our response time will vary depending on how many submissions we’re receiving.