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Tips to become a published EMS author

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There are more opportunities than ever to become a published writer. Most EMS1 columnists, as well as authors outside of EMS, will tell you the key to becoming published is to write, and write often. Then write some more.

Kick-off your writing career by:

1. Starting a blog.

Use a free blogging tool like Blogger or WordPress. For your blog:

  • Write a regular post of 150 to 500 words a few days a week.
  • Write about things that interest you. It does not have to be EMS. Maybe you are interested in hunting, fishing, racing, or scrapbooking. Write about what you know and what you care about.
  • Share ideas, resources and experiences in your blog posts.
  • Visit the blogs of other writers that share your interests.
  • Comment on the blog posts of other EMS authors.

2. Regularly microblogging.

Create your own Twitter account and become a microblogger. Tweets are limited to 240 characters which forces concise writing, question asking, and resource sharing.

3. Contribute articles to local, regional, state, or state organization newsletters.

Contact the editor for article ideas. Or submit articles that are timely. For example, May is National Stroke Awareness month. Submit a short article on recognizing stroke symptoms to the newsletter of your local senior activity center — a timely and helpful contribution.

4. Meet magazine and website content editors at conferences.

Ask for their article ideas for future issues. Suggest new or different angles on commonly featured topics like medical, cardiac, trauma or environmental emergencies.

5. Contribute to EMS1.

Submit an article idea to EMS1. We welcome fellow paramedics, EMS researchers, EMS physicians, and EMS chiefs who can clearly and concisely communicate concepts and ideas through the written word. We also promote healthy and respectful discussion about topics within the industry. Generally, EMS1 reviews a potential submission idea and provides feedback about its suitability to meet an editorial need to the author. If after revision we feel it’s strong we request the full article for further review and editing. Finished articles are posted and promoted on our social channels and newsletters.

Share your EMS blog or Twitter account address with EMS1 readers in the comments area to increase your readership.

This article, originally published 8/4/2009, has been updated

Greg Friese, MS, NRP, is the Lexipol Editorial Director, leading the efforts of the editorial team on Police1, FireRescue1, Corrections1 and EMS1. Greg served as the EMS1 editor-in-chief for five years. He has a bachelor’s degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and a master’s degree from the University of Idaho. He is an educator, author, national registry paramedic since 2005, and a long-distance runner. Greg was a 2010 recipient of the EMS 10 Award for innovation. He is also a three-time Jesse H. Neal award winner, the most prestigious award in specialized journalism, and the 2018 and 2020 Eddie Award winner for best Column/Blog. Connect with Greg on LinkedIn.
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