How to write a blog post

So, you’ve got something you want to share with the Wikimedia movement. Great! Where do you go? Wikimedia Space.

How does this all work?

Anyone can submit a blog post to Wikimedia Space. While we are still a prototype, the process is a few steps more than we’d like. You’ll want to join Wikimedia Space. Then login to the blog and create a new article. All new authors start with the “Contributor” role. This allows you to create and edit your own posts, upload media, and review the posts of others.

We’re using WordPress, an open-source publishing platform. It has a text editor that uses the concept of blocks for organizing content as you write. Revisions are kept automatically, and you can see all past revisions of an article. You can add photos, videos, quote blocks and more. Log in and try it out.

Once you have your draft in a reviewable state, you can submit it for review. An editor will review the content and leave notes with any questions or suggestions. If everything meets the editorial guidelines, an editor will reach out to coordinate the scheduling of your post.

Once published, all posts will have a corresponding comment section in the Discuss space.

Why write here?

The scope for the Space blog is news about the Wikimedia movement, for the Wikimedia movement. News and updates from committees and affiliates, links to interesting Wikimedia stories and discussions, interviews with movement organizers and other key players in the free knowledge movement, and announcements and requests for feedback from the Wikimedia Foundation are a few examples.

A post doesn’t have to be a 10,000 word tome. 500–700 words is a good goal. In the spirit of the movement, the first draft doesn’t have to be perfect either. Blog posts do have to have a clear impact on the Wikimedia movement and opinion articles are out of scope.

The primary objective of the Wikimedia Space Blog is to give movement writers a platform to share what is important to them. We want the Blog to reflect the richness and diversity of our movement, with stories and reports from all corners of the globe. If you have heard of something interesting happening within the movement, submit a pitch or draft article. Too much commitment? Then let us know with a new topic in Discuss and tag it with wikimedia-space-blog.

Volunteers covering news about projects that don’t yet have a larger public presence are especially encouraged to write.

Who reviews submissions?

Wikimedia Space has an editorial board that reviews submissions for publication. The editorial board is also responsible for maintaining the blog, its content, design, processes and structure. The board is open to volunteers, meaning contributors like yourself can join and help guide others through the editorial process. This process will be determined with your interest and participation. To start we’re going to try and host a meeting every two weeks on Friday to discuss upcoming posts and the editorial process. Join us.

For a more in-depth explanation of the editorial guidelines, take a look at the project page on Meta.

I have thoughts!

Great, we want to hear what you’re thinking about. Can we improve the process? Can we make something clearer or simpler? We need your voice and participation to adapt and grow this space. Leave a comment below and tell us what’s on your mind.