It's important for writers to remember that their correspondence is telling. If your email is riddled with spelling errors, it would suggest that your work will take too much to edit. The most important thing for writers is to pitch good ideas and often! It's nothing personal if a story doesn't get assigned; it could mean the issue was full or someone else beat you to the pitch-punch! Persistence is key! We're a weekly, and the demand for fresh, cool content is high. If you're pitching a story on a band, let's say, tell us why they're relevant in your opinion and what would be unique about the piece. Links to MySpace, etc. are helpful too. Pitches should be done about three weeks in advance of the deadline, though sometimes there is room for last minute inclusions. And remember -- we're a preview publication. Stories are done in advance of the event, and review opportunities are limited. Be familiar with the section you're pitching for the best results. We like our writers to be readers.