Contributors Wanted

Since October 31, 2004 UrbanReviewSTL.com has published nearly 1,900 posts on a broad range of topics.  Most were written by me, Steve Patterson.  Others were written by guests.  Yesterday marked a continued evolution for this blog.

What happened yesterday?

The first post written by a “contributor” happened.  Jim ‘JimmyZ‘ Zavist has frequently added to the discussion in the comments and has written numerous guest posts.  I recently asked Jim to be my first contributor.  He agreed and yesterday I posted his first piece.

I’m seeking additional contributors, up to 9 more.  Contributors cannot make the final post to the site but they are granted limited access to the back end of the site where they can work on posts and then submit them to me for approval and final posting to this site.  If you have thought about starting a blog or have ideas of topics or viewpoints you think should be presented here then I want to talk to you.

Some initial ground rules:

• I reserve the right to make up new ground rules as necessary.
• You don’t have to agree with me.  This blog is about civic discourse.
• Topics can run the gamut from design to policy as long as they have a St. Louis connection.
• The pay sucks — zero.  I may treat you to lunch.
• You must use your real name and we must have met in person.  If we’ve not met yet but you are interested please consider applying — we can meet to seal the deal.
• This cannot be used as a sales pitch for your product or services but I have no objection to a one sentence bio at the end of the piece which may include a link to your website.
• There are no assignments or deadlines.  Contributors write what interests them, when they want.

Some perspectives I’d like to see represented:

• A person living on the edge of the region that would like to move closer to the core — the person seeking a more urban lifestyle.
• Racial minorities living in the region.
• Former St. Louisans now living outside the region.
• Elected officials that want to speak on issues.
• A parent with a school age child in the St. Louis public school system.
• Resident(s) from the Illinois side of the St. Louis region.

The information I need from potential contributors:

• Your first & last name — as you would sign your posts.
• The perspective you’d bring to UrbanReviewSTL.com.
• A personal email address (will be kept private).
• Your mobile phone number (will be kept private).
• A 2-3 sentence bio to use on your profile.
• If you have a website, the URL. This goes in the profile for each contributor.
• email the above along with why you’d make a good contributor to steve at urbanreviewstl dot com.

Rest assured, I’m not going anywhere.  I am finishing my Masters degree this Fall and anticipate having less time to maintain the same pace.  Contributors will help ensure there will be new material daily.

– Steve Patterson