Thanks for your interest in contributing content to The Iron Bulwark. Your interests, knowledge, and background help shape the voice of our community, and this publication wouldn't exist without your help!

Who can contribute?

Any current resident of Iron County, Utah, of any age (teens too!) and background.

Anyone or those under the age of 18 who wish to remain anonymous may do so. Your name, email address, or contact details will not be shared if this is your desire, and The Iron Bulwark is willing to provide a mutual Non-Disclosure Agreement ("NDA") to protect your privacy. You can see an example of the NDA here.

How do I contribute?

It's easy!

  1. Reach out to content@iron-bulwark.org and let us know you'd like to write articles.
  2. The email address you use to write to us will receive an invitation for a staff account. Click the link in the invitation and create a password.
  3. Watch Ryan's ~9 minute intro and demo to the platform. You can find it here.

That's it!

What is the publishing process?

  1. After watching the intro & demo and having your content ready to go, you will click the "Publish" link in the top right.
  2. Follow the steps to submit for a review.
  3. Allow 1-3 days for your article to be reviewed.
    1. Important: we may tweak content slightly if it feels irrelevant to the topic, aggressive, contains inappropriate language, or violates any of the other Content Guidelines below. You will be contacted and have a chance to review it before it's live.
  4. Your content will be scheduled to go live.
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Note: For every three "Opinions" articles, our hope is to have at least one "Education & Reading" or "News & Updates" articles published.

If you are writing an Opinions piece, there is a chance it may be backlogged by a few days, or up to a week, but we will never reject content for this reason.

Content Guidelines

The Iron Bulwark values the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution and protected free speech within the boundaries of respect and fairness.

For all content

  1. Absolutely no inappropriate language.
  2. Absolutely no name-calling of any individual, organization, or thoughts with an intent to demean or berate. Keep controversies healthy.
  3. Use citations when possible - reference where your information comes from either inline (using parenthesis like this) or at the bottom of your content.
  4. Keep content to a maximum of 1200 words (use the counter in the bottom right!). Exceptions acceptable – we won't nitpick.

Content Categories

We categorize content into three areas. Please follow these general guidelines for the categories below.

Education & Reading

Education & Reading are intended to write about a topic without opinion.

  1. Keep content to a narrative tone (but as fun as you want!). No opinions.
  2. Provide links in-line for citation. For example, provide, links to ordinances or legislation.
  3. Ask for help from content@iron-bulwark.org if you need a hand: chances are, we're interested in what you're writing about and would love to help research it!

News & Updates

News & Updates are intended to inform the public regarding a matter. For example, a County-issued public bulletin, or a notice of intent.

  1. Same as Education & Reading - keep content to a narrative tone. Mild opinions allowed – use with reasonable discretion.
  2. Always include a reference link where the public can obtain a copy of the official notice, when applicable.
  3. Support the content by providing the community with reasoning. For example, "The County wants to raise taxes to recondition water towers, here are the facts: ...". Provide some details around the subject matter.
    1. If the thought starts wandering to "I disagree with this because ...", it's probably better suited as an Opinions piece.

Opinions

Opinion editorials are to voice yours or others' concerns, but respectfully.

  1. Do not use names of any individuals unless it directly relates to their involvement in a decision or policy.
    1. It's fine if you do not like someone's position on a matter, but be prepared to support why with facts and publicly accessible information.
    2. This is to allow the public to process their own opinions and thoughts.
  2. Always use publicly accessible information.
    1. If you feel a sentence coming on with, "I heard that...", please leave it for your social media platforms.
  3. Try to objectify your own position. This will help provide content fairly that readers would love to see!
    1. i.e., "I understand that the water towers need renovations, especially after decades of neglect and abuse, but ..."