Asia Times Online depends on paid freelance correspondents for most of its content, and we're happy to take a look at newcomers. Preference will be given to writers who can provide solid, in-depth, timely analysis of news events or currents that are relevant to Asia, with a focus on political, economic or business issues, on a regular or semi-regular basis. Neither we nor our readers want to know about your opinion or your politics unless you're a world leader in your field.

Asia Times Online will have first use, and will take over copyright, of articles that are paid for at our normal rate. They may not subsequently be published elsewhere without our permission. Articles that have previously been published elsewhere will receive considerably less than the normal payment rate.

First of all, we'll want to see your CV, at least two samples of your work, and your proposals for possible articles. Please email this material if you want to join the ATol team. We regret that due to the volume of applications we receive, we cannot guarantee that rejected applicants will receive more than a standard response acknowledging receipt of your email and stating that we cannot take you on at this time.

Please submit your material by clicking here.

"Speaking Freely" is a Front Page feature for guest writers to have a say on issues relevant to Asia, helping to keep ATol fresh and important to our global readership. The main criteria for judging submissions are readability, global significance and general interest. Unless you're very important, it's unlikely that articles that are too heavy on opinion or politicking will be considered, and we will not carry articles that react against or critique articles or writers previously published in Asia Times Online: the proper place for such writing is either our Letters page or The Edge, our readers' forum.

We're sorry, but we are not able to pay for these articles. Submissions should be 800-2,000 words long and not previously published, and we reserve the right to publish, edit or reject any submission. Please provide a brief biographical note for publication at the end of the article and inform us if you wish to retain copyright. We would prefer that your text is pasted into the message body, rather than sent as an attachment.

Unfortunately, due to the volume of submissions, we are not able to reply to all who submit articles, so if you haven't heard back from us within a week, feel free to take your article elsewhere.

Submit your 'Speaking Freely' article by clicking here.