Writing guide
How to build writing samples
Create a small portfolio that gets editors to say yes.
You do not need dozens of clips to get published — you need a handful of strong, relevant ones.
Quality over quantity. Two or three sharp pieces beat a long list of weak ones.
Write a few strong pieces in the style you want. If you want to write essays, write essays. If you want features, write features.
Match each sample to the publication. When you pitch, send the clips most like the piece you want to write.
Publish where you can. A personal blog or a free platform counts, provided the work is genuinely yours and well done. (Check the guidelines — some publications will not consider previously self-published work.)
Keep them linkable. Live links are easier for an editor than files they have to download.