Newspapers

Start with your local daily and weekly newspapers. They need lots of copy, and they like to use local writers. Alas, they often pay poorly or not at all. The regular op-ed column I write for a NJ daily paper pays $25 for 800 to 1,000 words.

The best way to break in is to write something. Try a short article on a timely topic: Kids and violence. Kids and car safety. Kids and smoking. Breastfeeding vs. bottle feeding.

Then find out which editor handles health or features, and submit it in the proper format. Sending a complete article shows the editor you can write you'd be surprised at how many semi-literate folks think they should be highly-paid authors.

If you don't hear anything in a couple of weeks, call the editor. Find out if she or he is interested in that piece, or in seeing other articles. Every editor is different, and a style one likes, another hates. Even if the editor isn't interested at this time, offer to be a resource to write articles on children's health. Next month you might be the solution to an editorial problem.