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Writing for The Meridiem

Thank you for your interest in contributing to The Meridiem. These guidelines will help you understand our editorial standards, style requirements, and submission process.

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Voice & Tone

The Meridiem's voice is precise, informed, and time-aware. We avoid hype and buzzwords in favor of clear, evidence-based analysis. When writing for us:

Be Precise: Use specific data points and concrete examples. Instead of "significant growth," say "40% year-over-year increase."

Frame Transitions: Emphasize movement and change. Focus on "from-to" narratives (from niche to mainstream, from theory to practice).

Stay Accessible: Assume intelligence, not expertise. Explain complex topics clearly without being condescending.

Acknowledge Uncertainty: When you don't know, say so. Distinguish between evidence, analysis, and speculation.

Respect Time: Your readers are busy professionals. Every word should earn its place.

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Article Types & Length

Analysis Pieces: 1,200-1,800 words. Deep exploration of a single topic with original insights.

Trend Reports: 1,500-2,500 words. Data-driven examination of market patterns or technology adoption curves.

Founder Stories: 1,000-1,500 words. Personal narratives about building, pivoting, or scaling companies.

Expert Commentary: 800-1,200 words. Informed perspective on current developments in your area of expertise.

Technical Explainers: 1,200-2,000 words. Complex concepts broken down for intelligent non-specialists.

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Structure Requirements

Strong Opening: Lead with the transition or change. What's different now compared to before?

Evidence First: Support claims before interpretation. Data, examples, and quotes precede your analysis.

Clear Progression: Build your argument logically. Use subheads to signal key insights.

Actionable Conclusion: End with implications for specific audiences. Who should care and what should they do?

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Research & Sourcing

Primary Sources: Prefer original sources (company blogs, peer-reviewed papers, government sites, financial filings) over aggregators..

Attribution: Link to sources. Quote accurately. Provide context for statistics.

Source Diversity: Include multiple perspectives. Show you've considered alternative viewpoints.

Current Data: Use the most recent reliable information available. Note when data is dated.

Conflict Disclosure: Reveal any relationship to subjects you're covering.

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What to Avoid

Hype Language: Never use "revolutionary," "game-changing," or "disruptive" without specific evidence.

Vague Temporality: Avoid "soon," "eventually," "in the near future." Be specific or acknowledge uncertainty.

Buzzword Overload: Limit technical jargon. Define terms on first use.

Press Release Journalism: Don't simply rewrite company announcements. Add original analysis.

Unsupported Claims: Every significant assertion needs evidence or attribution.

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Technical Requirements

Format: Submit in Google Docs or Microsoft Word with formatting applied.

Links: Include all source links inline. Hyperlink naturally within sentences.

Images: Suggest images but don't include copyrighted material. We'll handle image sourcing.

Bio: Provide a 50-word professional bio focusing on expertise relevant to your piece.

Headshot: Include a professional headshot (minimum 400x400px).

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Editorial Process

Revision: Expect editorial feedback. We edit for clarity, accuracy, and consistency with our voice.

Fact-Checking: Be prepared to verify claims and provide additional sources if requested.

Timeline: Final edits typically take 3-5 business days after submission.

Publication: We'll notify you of the publication date and provide a link when live.

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Rights & Usage

First Rights: We acquire first publication rights. You retain copyright.

Distribution: We may republish your piece across our platforms (newsletter, social media).

Exclusivity Period: Don't publish the same piece elsewhere for 30 days after our publication.

Author Copies: Share your published piece freely. We encourage you to promote it.

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Questions?

Contact our editorial team at contributors@themeridiem.com with any questions about these guidelines.