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.

You see, with all the hubbub surrounding the new Airbags section, we kinda sorta let things slip over at good ol' Detour. While we weren't paying attention, the bottomless wellspring of new features, um, dried up. Which is why you're reading this, instead of some fascinating story about life in this great city.

Fig1. This fair city.

So we're making a call for submissions. We're looking for the best and brightest, the finest writing Chicago has to offer. Actually scratch that -- you don't have to be from Chicago, necessarily. Here are our 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 are to 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. All images are to be presented in a Photoshop-readable format, preferably .jpg or .gif.

• We cannot guarantee that everything submitted 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 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.

Incidentally, we are also open to photo submissions for Rearview (dimensions: 155px by 207px) and we're happy to receive any tips you might have for the news blog, Merge.

Send it all to inbox[at]gapersblock[dot]com.

Thanks,
The Editors