What works

• 600–900 words.
• A clear argument in the first paragraph.
• Lived knowledge or specific expertise.
• A New York angle. We do not currently run national-only opinion pieces.

How to submit

Email oped@usatimes.com with the subject line “Op-Ed pitch: [your topic].” Include the full draft (not just a pitch), a one-sentence bio, any conflict of interest, and confirmation that the piece is not being shopped to another publication.

What we do not run

• Press releases re-formatted as opinion.
• Personal attacks on identifiable people.
• Pieces that promote a commercial product.
• Anonymous opinion pieces, except where the writer faces credible risk under our Sources & Anonymity standard.

Compensation and response time

We do not currently pay for op-ed submissions. Writers are credited with a byline and a short bio. Response within five business days; if you have not heard back in two weeks, we are passing.