Help us build a great resource for Washington Speechwriters - and those who want to become one.

"Contributing Members Only" Section

As speechwriters, we "toil in anonymity." As such, there are some topics that we don't want to display to the world.  That's why we have a "Contributing Members Only" section. The webmaster will grant access to individual users as described below.

To get access, you need to meet all three of these criteria:

1. Be a Roundtable member
2. Create a user account
3. and submit an article for this site.

Let's look at each item:

Be a Roundtable Member.  If you've received emails from Jan Cook or "Washington Speechwriters," you are already a member. Otherwise, you can request membership.)

Create a user account.  Follow these instructions.  It's the same thing as signing up to get notified when new articles are posted.

We struggled with asking our busy members to take on another assignment, but we decided it was the fairest way to grant access and the fastest way to build a useful website.

Think about it . . .

We've got about 300 people on our list.  If each person contributed one article, we would immediately become one of the best speechwriting resources on the entire web.

See: 10 Ways Submitting an Article Helps You

How Long?

We suggest at least 2 single-spaced pages, composed in Microsoft Word.

Publishing Standard

• It should interest speechwriters, aspiring speechwriters or those who hire speechwriters.


• You need to own it. It can be something you wrote years ago (even something that's already been published) - as long as you own it.


• No libel, profanity or advertisements.


• Nothing that threatens our members (commercial applications, viruses, spam, etc)

Don't feel limited by the word "article." 

It can be a commentary, Q&A, script, rant, cartoon, story, memoir, or almost anything else.

Please note:  We cannot accept a speech you wrote "on it's own." (i.e.- a run of the mill assignment that offers no special instructional value for speechwriters and aspiring speechwriters).  We do make exceptions for speeches about speechwriting (or similar topics) and for submissions that provide substantial insights into the speechwriting process (ie "the story behind the speech").  

Some ideas of possible submissions include:

How you got into speechwriting

Tips for writing a speech

Tips for persuasive, creative or other types of speeches

Tips for working with speakers or coaches

Lessons you've learned writing speeches

The best and worst things about speechwriting

Resources & reference materials you rely on

Commentary on a popular speech (State of the Union, etc)

The Story Behind the Speech: an account of a speech in you were involved (names may be changed to protect the innocent)

Freelance speechwriting - the good/bad/ugly. How to find clients.

Tips for hiring a speechwriter

Trends you're seeing in your job or the field

Reactions to - Roundtable meetings, conferences and training sessions

The Life of a Speechwriter

Suggestions for students interested in speechwriting

Insights into being a government, military, association, corporate or univeristy speechwriter.

Your article may include photos or graphics that you submit.

Create your article as a Word document. Use your full name for the file name (Jeff Smith.doc).

Inside your Word document, please include these items, in this order:

- Article Title

- By (Your Name)

- a teaser / short description of the article (up to 20 words)

- the text of your article (section headings are helpful on the web)

- an "About the Author" description (up to 100 words)

- the username you used in creating your member account (Not the "display name" but the username).

Let us know if you want to remain anonymous or if you want the article to appear only in the Members Only section.

Send your article as an attachment to this address:

washspeech (at) yahoo (dot) com

Use the Subject line: "WSR Article Submission"

Be Aware

You are not guaranteed access if . . . you otherwise do not qualify as a member of the Roundtable.  In that case, we will return your article unpublished. We reserve the right to limit access or membership.

Access Agreement.  We will make our best effort to keep the Members Only section a private, supportive community.  If you are granted access, you will asked to agree to:

• Not give others access via your password
• Not share or distribute anything that's behind the Members Only firewall
• Not jeopardize the livelihood/employment of your fellow Roundtable members

Articles will be published gradually.  We don't want to post everything we've got in the first week, and then have no reason for people to return to the site.  If your article needs to be published urgently for some reason, please let us know.

You will not get access immediately.  This site is run by one volunteer who has a full time job.  Posting articles (especially with our finicky web editing program), creating member records, and setting user permissions all take time, so please be patient.