How to Write &
Publish on The Dubai News
From signup to published story - everything you need to know to share your voice with Dubai and the world.
Create Your Account
Head to our pricing page and choose the plan that suits you - Free or Pro. Sign up with your email to get started in seconds.
Tip: Pro writers get priority review and a verified badge on their profile.
Open the Editor
Click "Write an Article" from the homepage or navigation. You'll land in our powerful editor with a clean writing space and helpful sidebar tools.
Tip: You can start writing immediately on the Free plan - no payment required.
Write Your Story
Give your article a compelling headline, choose a category, and start writing. Use our rich text toolbar to format your content with headings, bold, links, and more.
Tip: Aim for at least 300 words to give your story depth and improve its reach.
Use AI Assistance
Stuck on phrasing? Our built-in AI editor assistant can help you refine your writing, suggest improvements, and polish your article before publishing.
Tip: AI tools are available in the sidebar while you write.
Add a Cover Image
Upload a striking cover image that represents your story. This appears at the top of your article and in preview cards across the site.
Tip: Use landscape images (16:9 ratio) for the best display across devices.
Preview & Review
Before submitting, preview your article to see exactly how it will look to readers. Check formatting, spelling, and that your cover image looks great.
Tip: Read your article aloud during preview - it helps catch awkward phrasing.
Submit for Publication
Happy with your piece? Hit publish. Free articles go through a quick editorial review. Pro articles get fast-tracked with priority publishing.
Tip: Articles are typically reviewed within 24 hours.
Writing a Great Article
Start with a headline that says something
Your headline is what people see in search results and on social. Keep it to 20-60 characters.
- Say what actually happened - avoid teasers and clickbait.
- Put the most important words first: the place, the person, the thing.
- Skip ALL CAPS, exclamation marks and question-mark headlines.
- If it's about Dubai, name the borough, street or landmark.
Open with the story, not the build-up
The first two sentences decide whether anyone reads the rest.
- Lead with the news: who, what, where, when.
- One idea per sentence, one point per paragraph.
- Write the summary (70-160 characters) as if it's the only thing someone reads.
- Keep the tone plain and confident - no marketing language.
Structure the body
Aim for at least 300 words; anything under 150 will be sent back.
- Break anything over 500 words with H2 and H3 subheadings.
- Use bullet or numbered lists for steps, figures and comparisons.
- Back up claims with a source, a quote or a figure.
- Add outbound links to your sources - Free allows 3, Pro is unlimited.
- End with what happens next, not a summary of what you just said.
Pictures and credits
Every published story needs a cover image.
- Use landscape images (16:9) at least 1200px wide.
- Only upload images you own or are licensed to use.
- Write alt text describing what's in the picture.
- Credit the photographer or source in the caption where required.
Before you hit publish
The checklist in the editor sidebar flags anything missing.
- Pick one or two categories - they build the article's web address.
- Check the URL is available and readable.
- Choose your byline (Pro members can use a custom name).
- Read it aloud in preview to catch awkward lines and typos.
- Clear every blocking item on the checklist, then submit.
Why articles get sent back
- Thin content - under 150 words, or padded out with repetition.
- Promotional pieces disguised as news, or too many links to one site.
- Copied text, AI-generated filler or content published elsewhere first.
- No cover image, or an image you don't have the rights to.
- Claims with no source, named people with no right of reply.
- Missing or nonsensical categories and web address.
Signing Up
Free Plan
- Write and publish articles at no cost
- Standard editorial review (within 24h)
- Author profile page
- Create an account when you submit your first article
Pro Plan
- Priority review & fast-track publishing
- Verified writer badge
- Writer dashboard to manage your stories
- Sign up via the pricing page to get started