Step in the Ring

We pay for your opinion pieces! If accepted for publication you’ll earn $23 per piece. Please read this entire page for information before submitting.

How to Submit

Step in the Ring is part of the Yovia network. To be published with us, you need to sign up as a Yovia blogger. It’s easy, free, and you’ll have great paid writing opportunities throughout the network.

To start, please ensure that you have first filled out the Yovia blogger application form here. You’ll receive an e-mail with further instructions. Once you’ve sent in your formal application (directions are included when you sign up) you’re set to write. Any questions? Just e-mail .

When you’ve completed the above steps, you can submit your full-length opinions (i.e. not comments on existing posts, but 300 word minimum articles) by sending them in the body of an e-mail to Dina, the editor, at . (If sending photos or other media, attachments are OK; videos should be put on YouTube and links given to us.) Include your name and/or byline.

Tips for Getting Published

Here are some tips you can use to make your pieces just what we’re looking for here at Step in the Ring. Remember, we want passion, point of view, guts, and your true voice!

Following these tips and challenging yourself to write your best truly benefits you—not only will you have a better chance of being published for $23, but you’ll attract greater numbers of readers with quality content. You could receive a $150 bonus for high traffic, so think big!

• Ask yourself: “Why would somebody want to read my piece?” Identify your audience and what you can do to make them want to take the time to read your opinion. (Further tip: Make your opening paragraphs catchy to hold their attention.)
• Consider grammar and style—the closer to perfection your piece is when you submit it, the more likely we will be to use it! For some refresher courses check out Grammar & Style at RefDesk.com. If a piece has loads of passion and point of view but needs some grammatical work, we’ll do it. But large amounts of errors dull content, and your piece’s first impression is important. Do your best to make it awesome before you send it in.
• Write your opinion without stopping to edit as you go. Then put it aside and do something else for a few hours. Come back to it and begin the editing and proofreading process when you’re feeling fresh. Some of your best edits/rewrites will come about this way.
• Spellcheck, please. Unnecessary spelling errors and odd formatting make an editor’s life tougher. Pieces that are neat and clean are more appealing from the start.
• Don’t be afraid of controversy. You can disagree with someone and express a negative opinion about something without being inflammatory and rude. Capture the spirit of the debate and highlight a controversial issue or angle with intelligence and wit, and you’re likely to receive more response from readers.
• Quality, quality, quality. Your tone, your choice of words, the way you express your thoughts, the feelings conveyed, and incidental elements (e.g. anecdotes, jokes, historical facts) all affect the overall quality of your work. We really want content that shines and the editor will help make sure yours sparkles plenty. But we know you have the talent to create something brilliant right from the start, so hit us with your best shot!
• Writing isn’t the only way to make a statement. If you have a photograph that captures your opinion, such as “photoshopped” digital art, we’ll also consider it. (However, you must either own copyright to the image or have permission to use it under Creative Commons.) We’re also interested in videos. If you are more comfortable talking than writing, hop onto YouTube and record your thoughts about any of our topics. However, we’re picky when it comes to videos–we want only the best, so be sure to make it great. (Handy tip: jot down some notes to give yourself a “script” so that you don’t forget what you’re saying.) If you want to let your creativity run amok in any other way (singing, drawing, painting—the sky’s the limit), drop the editor a line at and suggest your idea.

Any time you want some help brainstorming unique ways to share your opinions, e-mail the editor. We’d love to help!

Comment on Opinions

Feel free to comment as often as you want on the opinions here.

Remember: try to be respectful even if you strongly disagree; you’re far more likely to draw out meaningful exchange from someone if they don’t feel an immediate need to defend themselves. The Golden Rule applies: treat others here as you’d like them to treat you.

But by sharing your thoughts with your fellow authors you elevate the debate aspect of the site. Readers’ curiosities may be piqued by your comments and they may check out your own pieces, too.

Please note: If your comments are not respectful, they will not be published. We want everyone to feel comfortable on this site even though they may be embroiled in controversy or debate; personal attacks are never okay. If you have a kneejerk reaction, re-read your comment before posting and ask yourself if you’re playing nice. If you’re not, don’t expect your comment to appear, or to appear unedited. When lengthy comments are submitted we may edit out offensive text but publish the rest.

Questions? Comments? E-mail away!