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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}

Pamela - Are the roasteries in Seattle as clean as CSR?  It always disturbs me a little that it is so clean in there.

By Brian to the entry 'Columbia Street Roastery blends with the best on 02/06/12.
JPSherrill avatar

Now you will be able to munch on pizza and shrimp cocktails in downtown Urbana (whilst a DJ spins?) after your dissolution of marriage http://www.news-gazette.com/news/business/features/its-your-business/2012-02-05/its-your-business-new-pizza-place-downtown-urban     Is this a franchise of a Reno pizza joint, or just a coincidence of name? http://www.blackrockpizza.com

By JPSherrill to the entry 'More C-U restaurants come and go on 02/06/12.
{username}

Signs someone is “fishing” for a factual anchor: 1. Starts call to radio with: “I’ve been an Illini fan for (XX) years” or “I’m a diehard fan,” as if somehow that unverifiable claim will justify the 5 minutes of B.S. that follows. 2. Makes reference to KenPom…

By Q-Tips to the entry 'Illinois bad, MSU worse, Izzo terrible on 02/06/12.
{username}

That’s what she said.

By kiel to the entry 'Illini pull out an ugly one on 02/04/12.
{username}

Black dog and Siam terrace is where I always go after my divorces.

By Ryan to the entry 'More C-U restaurants come and go on 02/04/12.
Mike Ingram avatar

Love CSR.  Apart from making my way through the regular roasts in 1/2 pound increments, I also like to pick up some of the little sample packets of the flavored stuff for when the lady and I feel like getting crazy.  Sticky Bun is pretty nice.

By Mike Ingram to the entry 'Columbia Street Roastery blends with the best on 02/04/12.
Rob McColley avatar

If you happen to be getting a divorce, or fighting a DUI prosecution, downtown Urbana is a great place to eat.

By Rob McColley to the entry 'More C-U restaurants come and go on 02/03/12.
{username}

HUUUUUUGE fan of their Black Velvet roast…It makes up about 75% of my coffee intake. LOL CSR is definitely one of those Champaign institutions that I brag about to people not from here. :-)

By Mertz to the entry 'Columbia Street Roastery blends with the best on 02/03/12.
{username}

We like CSR too! We french press at home and I leave the lid off while it steeps—letting the ground beans bloom. Then, like in your tasting, I scoop off the top layer before pressing. We really need to invest in a burr grinder though, as I…

By Kirstin to the entry 'Columbia Street Roastery blends with the best on 02/03/12.
{username}

Confidential? In this state? Hahahahahahahhahahaha

By Not_again. to the entry 'LGBTQ participants needed for research study on community involvement on 02/03/12.
isaac arms avatar

just confirmed:  there will be white russians served. the art abides.

By isaac arms to the entry 'Weekender: February 3–5 on 02/03/12.
isaac arms avatar

big lebowski at the art. mark it, dude.

By isaac arms to the entry 'Weekender: February 3–5 on 02/03/12.
{username}

There’s a great video promo out for “Company” too: http://vimeo.com/36077847

By Lindsey to the entry 'Weekender: February 3–5 on 02/03/12.
{username}

Wow, His Majesty took the time to answer your polite plea. It’s been a while since I spoke fluent arrogance, but allow this attempt at a translation: “I deeply regret the embarrassment…” = I wish we hadn’t got caught and it wasn’t a big deal really. “...and…

By Local Yocal to the entry 'An open letter to University of Illinois President Michael Hogan on 02/03/12.
{username}

I love the Guitars

By wilsonwasher23 to the entry 'SP Radio Podcast: Drew Phillips, Uncle John and local bluegrass on 02/03/12.
{username}

I had their tea at the Urbana Farmer’s Market when they first started out and it was great! Their tins recently caught my eye at Walnut Street Tea Company and my guests used it all up before I could even try it! Way to go Tiesta, stay…

By LH to the entry 'Tiesta Tea: A local success story on 02/02/12.
{username}

Im fine with missing ingredients and of course they fixed things what restaurant fights with the customer over things like that anymore. ( the way social media could affect them) My problem is that I am visiting you place of business within the first week of opening.…

By C-U Later to the entry 'Meatheads Burgers and Fries: A carnivorous delight on 02/02/12.
isaac arms avatar

Thanks for that, Louis CK.

By isaac arms to the entry 'Pee stains on the Arctic on 02/02/12.
{username}

Your call to stay pissed is precisely why global warming fanatics will fail.  Emotion has no place in hard science.  The problem with the issue of global warming is that is has been pumped full of emotion and politics, and the science is becoming a by-product. http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970204301404577171531838421366.html?KEYWORDS=global+warming

By Louis CK to the entry 'Pee stains on the Arctic on 02/02/12.
{username}

Clearly the Postal Officials in favor of this cannot make an economic argument, as this saves the post office $0.  What is their rationale?

By King Mo Lawal to the entry 'Please don't close the campus post offices on 02/02/12.

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