Though the WordPress writing interface is quite simple, the specifics of writing and publishing an article may raise questions, especially with new staff. Below is a short video explaining the basics of writing and managing articles in WordPress (click the expand button on the video to view full-screen). That is followed below by Whim’s submission guidelines.

WordPress How-To: Updated from RU CITL on Vimeo.

The Publishing Process

In short, the publishing process goes something like this: a writer writes an article, the appropriate section manager approves that article for publication on whichever day they want it to be published by changing the article’s Publish Status from Pending Review to Unpublished using the drop-down menu to the left of the text box, the article is copy edited and edited for graphics, and either its copy editor or graphics staff member will publish it using the Publish button, depending on whether anything further needs to be done to it.

To make this process go smoothly, writers must do three things. First, before submitting an article for review, the writer should add the [done], [ce] and [g] indicators to the title of the post. When the post is copy edited, the copy editor will remove the [ce] indicator, and when its graphics have been checked, the graphics staff member will remove the [g] indicator. When all that remains is [done], this, too, will be removed, and the article is free to be published by whoever looks over it last. Please remember to include these indicators, as it will help move the publication process along.

Second, please choose one (and only one) section for your article. You’ll find the sections listed under the “Categories” tab, located beneath the text box. If you’re uncertain as to which section your article belongs in, designated it as “Uncategorized,” and we’ll assign it to whatever section we deem appropriate.

Third, when you are satisfied with your article, be sure to submit it for review using the button to the right of the text box. Simply saving it as a draft is not enough to ensure that it will appear in the magazine as soon as possible.