We rely on our readers, sources and contributors to help us stay ahead of the stories that matter to the writing, language and publishing community. Whether you have heard about a new book imprint launch, spotted a shift in digital publishing policy, discovered a promising writing tool, or come across an education story with a language angle, we want to hear from you. The Tip Us page explains what makes a strong tip, how to send it securely, and what happens once it reaches our newsroom.
What makes a good tip
We are interested in tips that are timely, specific and relevant to our audience of writers, editors, publishers, educators and anyone working in digital communication. Strong tip categories include:
- Book announcements — notable new imprints, major author moves, unexpected publishing deals or shifts in literary agency structures.
- Publishing industry developments — changes at big trade houses, independent publisher news, distribution shifts, rights developments or labour issues in publishing.
- Writing tool launches — new software for writers, editors or publishers, including grammar tools, dictation software, project management platforms or AI-assisted editing tools.
- Author news — career transitions, controversies, notable achievements or public statements by writers relevant to the craft or business of writing.
- Education stories — curriculum changes affecting English, writing or media studies; new research on literacy; innovations in teaching writing at school or university level.
- Media trends — how news organisations, magazines or digital platforms are changing their approach to language, style guides or editorial standards.
- Publishing platform changes — updates to Amazon’s Kindle Direct Publishing, Substack’s policies, Medium’s monetisation, Audible’s royalty models or similar platforms.
- Digital culture stories — emerging online writing communities, meme-based publishing, fan fiction economies, newsletter booms or the impact of social media algorithms on reading habits.
We do not typically cover book launches for self-published works without a strong newsworthy angle, nor do we run tips that are purely promotional. If you are unsure whether your tip fits, send it anyway and we will let you know.
How to reach us
Use the appropriate address to help us route your tip quickly:
- Story tips and leads — tips@wordpatch.co.uk (preferred for most submissions)
- Time-sensitive news — newsdesk@wordpatch.co.uk
- Press releases — press@wordpatch.co.uk
- Book submissions for review or excerpt consideration — submissions@wordpatch.co.uk (please read our full submissions policy before sending)
For general inquiries, use contact@wordpatch.co.uk. Our full team contact details are available on the Our Team page.
What to include in your tip
To help us assess your tip quickly and accurately, please include:
- Who, what, when, where — the key facts: people involved, what is happening, when it occurred or will occur, and the location or platform.
- Supporting materials — links, documents, screenshots, press releases, drafts, correspondence or any other evidence. Do not send materials that you do not have permission to share.
- Source status — clearly state whether you are an eyewitness, a participant, a representative of an organisation, or someone passing along a tip from elsewhere. Indicate if your tip is on the record, on background, or off the record. We respect source preferences, but final decisions about attribution rest with our editorial team.
- Your contact details — a phone number or email where we can reach you for follow-up. We will not share your information without your permission.
How we verify tips
All tips are reviewed by our Standards & Fact-Checking desk, led by Thomas Ellery. The verification process involves cross-referencing facts with primary sources, checking official records, contacting relevant parties and reviewing any supporting materials you provide. We follow the principles set out in our fact-checking policy and our sources and standards guide.
We never present rumours as facts. If we cannot verify a claim to our satisfaction, we will either hold the story pending further confirmation or, if the tip remains unsubstantiated, we will not publish it. We will explain our decision to you where possible.
Confidentiality and legal protections
We take your privacy seriously. If you request anonymity or wish to communicate sensitive information securely, contact our legal team at legal@wordpatch.co.uk. We will handle your data in accordance with our privacy policy. We will not disclose your identity or the fact that you contacted us without your explicit consent, unless required by law.
If you are a whistleblower or are sharing information that could put you at risk, please reach out to legal@wordpatch.co.uk first. We will discuss protections before you share any details.
What happens after you submit
We aim to acknowledge receipt of every tip within five working days. Our editorial team will read your submission and decide whether to pursue it for a story. Due to the volume of tips we receive, we cannot guarantee a personalised response beyond the initial acknowledgement. If we decide to develop your tip into a story, we will contact you to discuss next steps, including attribution, fact-checking and publication timing. If you have not heard from us within two weeks, you are free to pitch your story elsewhere. For status updates, please use the contact page with your original submission reference.
If you wish to correct an error in our published content, please send details to corrections@wordpatch.co.uk. Our full process is detailed in our corrections policy.