Can you submit an article to more than one site?

Is it ok to write & submit an article about your own show to a newspaper?

• A local community paper who sent a photographer to cover the reception of a group art exhibition I'm in is asking us to submit an article to accompany the pictures to be published in the next issue. They can't supply a writer because they're understaffed so they took the pics and are asking us to submit an article. I was asked to write an article about what happened at the show as a type of press release but from my understanding, isn't a press release something that's published before an event instead of after? My question now is, since I'm one of the participating artists whose work is showcased in the exhibit, would it seem biased if I wrote about the show? I kind of feel like it would look like I was bragging or worse, biased, if my name appears in the list of exhibiting artists as well as in the byline as the author of the article. What do you think? Would that be ok?

• Answer:

  A press release can be written before or after the event. In this case, the newspaper knew you were one of the artists, and they asked you to write it, so you certainly should. Under the circumstances, it's not possible for you to be perfectly objective about it, but you can certainly state all the facts: When and where was the show held, how many artists exhibited in the show, what was the theme (if any), how many people attended, etc. By all means, if there weren't a lot of artists, name them all, and tell a little bit about the works they exhibited. Include yourself in that group. Of course, don't say that Michie's works were phenomenal and everyone else's were boring -- that would be worse than bragging! If you try to keep it as factual as you can, and only state general opinions (such as "some of the many fine artists in our community"), then you'll be fine. Don't wait too long to send it, especially if the exhibit is still going on for a while. (And if it is, be sure to say how long the works will be exhibited, and what days and times the show is open.)