We run a tight ship here at Gapers Block. A well-oiled machine. Everyone has a job to do and each does it with precision, delivering just in time, quality guaranteed.

Except when we don't.

The Detour feature we were supposed to run this week fell through at the last moment. So rather than post a re-run, we're taking the opportunity to make a call for submissions. We're looking for the best and brightest, the finest writing Chicago has to offer. Here are our Detour submission guideliness:

• The feature must have some connection to Chicago. This could mean either A) the author lives in Chicagoland or B) the story is about some aspect of Chicago or the surrounding area. Either way works for us.

• Minimum article length is 1,500 words (although this is flexible).

• All submissions should be presented in .doc or .txt format. We run on Macs here, but PC files are OK.

• Artwork (photography, drawings, etc.) is welcomed along with feature submissions — or as a feature in and of itself. All images are to be presented in a Photoshop-readable format, preferably .jpg or .gif.

• We'll need a one- or two-sentence bio to run at the end of the feature. Include a link to your own site, if you've got one.

We cannot guarantee that anything you submit will be published. We reserve the right to edit any work; time allowing, we will share these edits with you, and we may ask that you revise and resubmit your piece. Understand that it is in both our and your best interest that we do this.

For best results, run your story idea by us ahead of time, along with an estimate of when you'll have it done.

Send it all to inbox@gapersblock.com.

Thanks,
The Editors