Welcome to Santa Barbara Current
Who Are We?
The Santa Barbara Current was created to provide a platform for independent-minded journalism, analysis, and opinion. Edited by Jim Buckley, the founder of the Montecito Journal, the Santa Barbara Current is a venue for thoughtful and informed content creators to engage directly with their audience.
Santa Barbara Current published its first edition on November 15, 2023.
To Our Writers:
You are now a professional writer — and one of a rare breed. As a pro with some common sense, you will be required to follow certain rules and standards inspired by the Current’s benevolent yet exacting editorial overseers.
Payment for Contributions:
Due to the benevolence of our paying subscribers, we are able to modest pay to writers who meet all of the following criteria:
The content must be **unique and local** — specific to Santa Barbara County. This includes weaving in relevant persons, places, and events connected to our community wherever appropriate.
The article must be **first printing** and not previously published or distributed elsewhere.
The author must be a **non-politician**. We do not pay individuals who are running for or currently holding elected office, as our wide and deep distribution already provides meaningful support for their campaign messages.
f you meet the above criteria and wish to be compensated, you **must inform the editor or publisher** when you submit the story.
The current payment is a modest **$50** per article — an amount that could never fully compensate for the time, talent, and insight our writers bring. While the financial compensation is modest, we work hard to give your work the widest possible audience. Santa Barbara Current now reaches over 65,000 subscribers, with roughly half opening each email. Many eyes, far and wide, will see what you write.
Writers who qualify will be compensated at this rate. Please note that not all submissions qualify for payment.
Style and Submission Guidelines:
Rule Number One: Always, always, always put your name and contact information on your actual document. Begin all contributions with an identifying headline (which we may alter) along with your byline. For example:
“My Long and Dreary Life Story”
By Jacques l’Ennui
Just as with mail-in voting, once your contribution is separated from your email, we have no way of identifying the author.
Rule Number Two: Include all web links, either embedded in the text or numbered at the bottom of the article. If including graphics, please provide the source and a suggested caption.
Rule Number Three: Try to be both chatty and informative. “Chatty” means communicating informally, as you would to a friend. “Informative” means including verifiable facts and tasty little tidbits. Example: “My bartender friend Mal (short for Malheureusement) graduated from Harvard, lived in Paris for two years, but drank too much Absinthe and blinded himself to other opportunities.”
Rule Number Four: Stick to your subject. If you’re writing about bananas, stay with their substance, taste, peels, and history. Don’t wander off into coconut palms or ICBMs.
5. We don’t publish promotional or PR pieces. Please do not discuss products or services you provide, even if the article revolves around them.
6. We cannot infringe on a third party’s copyright. Neither can you.
7. Try not to be too disparaging, though political pieces naturally allow some leeway. Remember, you should aim to convince, not berate, your readers.
8. It’s best to quote comments or speeches directly rather than paraphrase. Always be ready to cite your source.
9. Try to stay under 1,000 words; 850 is an ideal readable length. Include web links whenever possible.
10. When writing an opinion piece, stick to your own original estimation. If referencing someone else, do so in quotes. Rule of thumb: If other local media will publish it, you should probably approach them first.
11. Every article is vetted for possible libel, so we may remove anything with legal risk.
12. All articles accepted are subject to editing, alteration, rearrangement, and general improvement for readability.
13, Santa Barbara Current reserves the right to use your work in any of our products unless otherwise specified or agreed to in advance.
This style guide is effective as of **June 14, 2026**. As style evolves, check the latest version at www.sbcurrent.com/about.
We strongly encourage all writers to reach out with article ideas in advance by emailing Jim@SBCurrent.com (Editor-in-Chief) and fenkner@SBCurrent.com (Publisher).
Why subscribe?
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