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Smile Politely welcomes new writers to all departments. If you're interested in writing for us, please take the time to familiarize yourself with our content by reading a few of our featured articles to discern if your talent, insight, scope and professionalism will meet our standard. We welcome all reasonable points of view to the fold, so long as your writing falls with the general guidelines of our editorial mission to best serve the community of Champaign-Urbana. We're keen on writers who have the ability to string together clear, concise and interesting pieces that will grab the attention of a popular audience.

Please send the following material to us via e-mail at editors@smilepolitely.com:

  • A query letter telling us who you are, what sort of writing you've done, and why you would be a good fit for Smile Politely. Be sure to give us a specific pitch for your first article or column.
  • Three to five clips of previous work (published articles are preferred, but, if you're new to this game, just send along what you can). Whatever you put in our hands, make sure it demonstrates your potential as a periodical writer. We have great love for creative writers, academicians and niche bloggers, but we're currently working in a different mode.

Most Recent Comments

{username}

Foreigner had Double Vision, now that’s vision.. It is interesting today how diverse people’s music taste has become. Take 107.1 for instance, depending on what time of you’re listening to it you can hear indie, top 40 alternative, hip hop, and alt country all in the same block of…

By LoFi to the entry 'Champaign Pop City on 03/14/10.
{username}

In case you think I’m crazy and Obama loves you - http://www.wired.com/threatlevel/2010/03/us-declassifies-part-of-secret-cybersecurity-plan/

By Ben II to the entry 'UC2B Granted $22.5 Million, Champaign City Council Deciding Tuesday Whether to Accept Funds on 03/14/10.
{username}

YOU PEOPLE

By sherifmerica to the entry 'Champaign Pop City on 03/13/10.
{username}

“Evaporated.“ Never said that but cool…. Yes, I do know. But people have wanted to be Elvis for 60 years. And I think what is hipper these days is the switch around. Ya know, how every one in the band “kind of” plays “everything” and switches around…

By Vulgur Gary to the entry 'Champaign Pop City on 03/13/10.
{username}

Make a mental note now - This is for federal control of the internet. It will be phased in. There is a cybersecurity bill in congress right now. just watch…

By Ben to the entry 'UC2B Granted $22.5 Million, Champaign City Council Deciding Tuesday Whether to Accept Funds on 03/13/10.
{username}

i just found this article, and am so happy about it! mark is a wonderful person!!

By jared bartman to the entry 'World class in the heart of downtown Champaign on 03/13/10.
{username}

*Shrugs*

By Jeff Kohmstedt to the entry '"Nice flag, douchebag!": one man's quest to run as Lincoln on 03/13/10.
{username}

Cheesy Computers with evaporated Beats and Samples may not be your taste and I can appreciate that…but in some cases they are born out of necessity. Do you know how hard it is to find a drummer these days? Do you know how hard it is to find…

By LoFi to the entry 'Champaign Pop City on 03/13/10.
Kelly Innes avatar

Sometime between now and their first game in this year’s NIT, the Illini need to practice taking a shot before the game clock expires. 

By Kelly Innes to the entry 'Die another day on 03/13/10.
{username}

Can we please refrain from ever EVER comparing running a marathon to childbirth? Especially when the comparison is made by someone without a vagina? Kthx.

By Lena to the entry '"Nice flag, douchebag!": one man's quest to run as Lincoln on 03/13/10.
{username}

It’s hard a bit to learn more information close to this good post,but custom writing services will propose to buy essay to receive correct facts and thst’s doable to buy written essays per really small prices!

By VasquezLEONOR to the entry 'Baseball power rankings #3 on 03/13/10.
SFJon avatar

I think we are in.  But being blown out again by OSU might give the selection comittee doubts. I dunno anymore.

By SFJon to the entry 'Die another day on 03/13/10.
{username}

Mark: You raise some interesting points. I’m impressed by anyone who runs a marathon, no matter their finishing time.  It’s the commitment people show to accomplishing a goal they set for themselves that impresses me most. A sign I saw at the Illinois Marathon last year along…

By Jeff Kohmstedt to the entry '"Nice flag, douchebag!": one man's quest to run as Lincoln on 03/13/10.
{username}

To get back to the show, if that’s allowed, we saw it last night. I know a lot about the films of the 30s and 40s and appreciated what Durang was trying to do, though some was pretty obvious and the ending was forced. A literal kitchen…

By Bruce to the entry 'A review of "A History of the American Film" on 03/13/10.
John Steinbacher avatar

Every band in CU - I realize this is just a cheeky comment, but I wanted to respond anyway. I think this column is more about the scene and the support system than the bands themselves. The last thing I would ever want is for someone to…

By John Steinbacher to the entry 'Champaign Pop City on 03/13/10.
{username}

Interesting article, John.  I second your comments Doug.  I’d really like to see the two of you do a Siskel & Ebert-style review of albums.  Can SP make this happen? And if Noiseboy could reappear to DJ one day at Mike & Molly’s…

By Ryan, Son of Carl to the entry 'Champaign Pop City on 03/13/10.
Jason Z. avatar

@Ty   I think this article from last year is what you’re looking for: http://www.smilepolitely.com/food/talking_breakfast_at_the_market/    Enjoy!  

By Jason Z. to the entry 'Merry Ann's Diner to open in Urbana at Gregory Place on 03/13/10.
{username}

Thank you SP editors for removing a not-so-nice word from Pope’s comment. I was just going to comment on it myself, wondering if we need an article titled “Down with the F-word”. John, very interesting read. Huzzah for well-written local music opinion.

By David Ward to the entry 'Champaign Pop City on 03/13/10.
{username}

Ok folks, now that its obvious the wonder bread, gas station eggs, and pasteurized processed cheese food can be marked up sufficiently enough to open two restaurants during a recession and in the same five year span, ya think we can be a little demanding? I’m all…

By Ty to the entry 'Merry Ann's Diner to open in Urbana at Gregory Place on 03/13/10.
{username}

Everyband in CU - shutup (REMOVED BY SP EDITORS) at least this writer is speaking for himself, at least he has a real opinion you spineless capslock drunk fuck. sorry, anyways… what’s good, what’s bad. what’s rock, what’s indie. what’s real what’s not. In 2010, never has…

By Pope to the entry 'Champaign Pop City on 03/13/10.

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