Contact Us

If You Want to Join DotMoms: Writer Guidelines

DotMoms is a group weblog that connects mothers to themselves (through writing) and to each other (through publishing). You can read more about our philosophy at "Better babies through blogging."

If you are a mother and a writer, here is information about what is required of regular contributors.

When I am considering a new writer, I ask her to submit a short biography that emphasizes something unique about her life (you can read other bios here). With about 40 women writing for DotMoms, I am looking especially for mothers whose voices are distinct in some way from others already published on the weblog. That could mean you bring to the group a different sense of humor or sensibility, a child who has different needs, or something else that makes your life unique. In addition to the bio, I also request a sample post of about 300 words, which is the desired length of each DotMoms item.

Each mom is expected to write short, original material for the blog once or twice a month; items cannot appear first anywhere else. You can write about anything related to life on the homefront, there are no assigned topics. Items are submitted via TypePad (with an e-mail alert when the post is ready). I edit all posts, offer feedback, and publish.

If you are interested in contributing smart, fun writing focused on family life, send your bio and sample post to me at [email protected]. It may take several months to review and respond to queries, so please be patient. Meanwhile, keep writing and keep reading!

Media Inquiries and Coverage

DotMoms has been featured on television, the radio, in magazines and newspapers across the U.S. and around the world. Links to selected clips appear below. For information or interviews about DotMoms, contact Julie Moos at [email protected].

April 2006: "Bloggin' Mamas"
By Meagan Francis
Baby Talk

January 2006: The Boston Globe "Sidekick"

December 2005: "Blogosphere: Best of Blogs"
By Peter Kuhns & Adrienne Crew (Que Publishing)
DotMoms is included in Chapter 6 about parenting blogs, and three moms who write for DotMoms are also featured in the same chapter for their individual blogs: Betsy, Charlene and Mindy.

November 2005: DotMom Christine Hohlbaum is featured in "Virtual Family Reunions," an article by Debbe Geiger that appeared in Better Homes & Gardens. (Download it here)

October 2005: Selection, Top 10 Sources for Motherhood

September 2005: Megabyte Minute, Web Minute

August 2005: Family Circle (Australia)

July 24, 2005: Mombloggers, Unite!
By Cooper Monroe
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

July 2005: Your Time
By Janice Chen
Parenting

June 30, 2005: Everyone's Blogging
By Laurianne McLaughlin
PC World

June 20, 2005: 50 Coolest Websites: Blogs
By Maryanne Murray Buechner
Time.com

June 2005: Best of the Web Directory
By Karen J. Bannan
Forbes

May 22, 2005: Birth of Blogs for Parents
By Karen Goldberg Goff
The Washington Times

May 2005: Blogger Moms
By Ellen Forman
South Florida Parenting

April 24, 2005: Pop Psychology
By Heather Salerno
The (White Plains, N.Y.) Journal News

March 12, 2005: Diaper Rash
The Providence Journal

February 2005: What's a Weblog?
Six Apart/TypePad

February 7, 2005: Blogging and Journalism
"HearSay with Cathy Lewis"
WHRO 

January 30, 2005: Mommy (and me)
By David Hochman
The New York Times

January 28, 2005: Have Kids, Will Blog
By Meredith O'Brien
BabyZone

January 3, 2005: It's a Baby Blog (if that link doesn't work, click here)
By Lisa Chamoff
Newsday

November 25, 2004: Baby Blogs
By Molly Millett

St. Paul (Minn.) Pioneer Press

November 23, 2004: Mom Bloggers
By Mike Wendland
NBC News Channel

July 25, 2004: DotMoms is a Place for Bloggy Mamas Everywhere
Blogging Baby

April 29, 2004: On Mothers and Weblogs
By Shai Coggins
About.com

Help us Improve: Provide Feedback

Below, readers tell us what they like about DotMoms. We'd like to know your thoughts and suggestions (comments may be published online and in printed promotional material). Just send your feedback to Julie Moos at [email protected]

The below e-mail excerpts have been edited for spelling, grammar, punctuation and length.

"I'm so glad to have found this site. How perfect: a place in cyberspace that reflects the greatest joys and blessings -- not to mention the ironies -- of motherhood. Thanks. Now a 'favorite' place to visit online." -- Judy

"I was really impressed with the site when I found it last Friday. I went through most of the archives over the weekend and I laughed and cried and felt a little less alone. It's really great to read other mothers who are articulate and honest and who make the institution of motherhood something to aspire to. The site is a great illustration of how mothers can still be critically thinking individuals. I love these women! I want to have coffee with them and meet them at the park. Thanks for putting it together. It is now one of my daily reads." --Heather

"Great site! Thanks for providing a place that I can go to and not only have a great laugh, but feel completely comforted to know there are other mothers out there going through the same thing as me." -- Carie

"I've just stumbled across your site, and I'm just so excited to read everything here. Thanks in advance for all the wonderful stories and insights." -- Kathy

"I love this site. It's nice to see there are so many inspirational and positive women out there. Thanks for the fun reading!!!" -- Tammy

"I am amazed to realize that I am not alone! I have added your site to my favorites list! Hoping to come back again and again to visit the blogs of other moms... I had thought I was the only one!!!!! Nice to know that I am in such great company. Thanks for the wonderful site!" -- Chana

"I just wanted to tell you that I enjoy your site immensely. I think it is great what you are doing and hope to continue to enjoy your site for years to come. Thank you for showing that motherhood isn't all runny noses and dirty dishes! You go girls!" -- Susan

"I just found your site, and I've spent the past hour rolling around in the posts like a happy kitty! I'm new to blogging about my multiple personalities -- wife, mother, teacher, yada yada yada -- and when I grow up, I want to be like you! *Deep envious sigh*" -- Mari

"I love your website! I can relate to all of you. I balance my life between my dear husband, my two precious children, plus my own business, which keeps me busy all the time... I will pass along this website to all my friends!!!" -- Esther

"I have been reading your site for a few months now and have enjoyed every minute of it. At least I feel like today I can sit and read with my coffee and not feel guilty for 'wasting time' -- it's Mother's Day for Heaven's sake!" -- Angela Marie

"I'm so glad to have found this site. How perfect: a place in cyberspace that reflects the greatest joys and blessings -- not to mention the ironies -- of motherhood. Thanks. Now a 'favorite' place to visit online." -- Judy

"I was really impressed with the site when I found it last Friday. I went through most of the archives over the weekend and I laughed and cried and felt a little less alone. It's really great to read other mothers who are articulate and honest and who make the institution of motherhood something to aspire to. The site is a great illustration of how mothers can still be critically thinking individuals. I love these women! I want to have coffee with them and meet them at the park. Thanks for putting it together. It is now one of my daily reads." --Heather

"Great site! Thanks for providing a place that I can go to and not only have a great laugh, but feel completely comforted to know there are other mothers out there going through the same thing as me." -- Carie

"I've just stumbled across your site, and I'm just so excited to read everything here. Thanks in advance for all the wonderful stories and insights." -- Kathy

"I love this site. It's nice to see there are so many inspirational and positive women out there. Thanks for the fun reading!!!" -- Tammy

"I am amazed to realize that I am not alone! I have added your site to my favorites list! Hoping to come back again and again to visit the blogs of other moms... I had thought I was the only one!!!!! Nice to know that I am in such great company. Thanks for the wonderful site!" -- Chana

"I just wanted to tell you that I enjoy your site immensely. I think it is great what you are doing and hope to continue to enjoy your site for years to come. Thank you for showing that motherhood isn't all runny noses and dirty dishes! You go girls!" -- Susan

"I just found your site, and I've spent the past hour rolling around in the posts like a happy kitty! I'm new to blogging about my multiple personalities -- wife, mother, teacher, yada yada yada -- and when I grow up, I want to be like you! *Deep envious sigh*" -- Mari

"I love your website! I can relate to all of you. I balance my life between my dear husband, my two precious children, plus my own business, which keeps me busy all the time... I will pass along this website to all my friends!!!" -- Esther

"I have been reading your site for a few months now and have enjoyed every minute of it. At least I feel like today I can sit and read with my coffee and not feel guilty for 'wasting time' -- it's Mother's Day for Heaven's sake!" -- Angela Marie

Comments

[Krisie]

Ops, the link did not show up in the post:
http://www.TheBabyOnlineBook.com

[Krisie]

I was wondering why no one on your staff has writen anything concerning this book..
I was given this book by a friend at my baby shower, every mother must have this wonderful spiral bound book- can you please tell me who to contact about this book please, or how to go about doing a review on your site about this book?
Thank you,
Krisie-
I have encluded the website link above-

[todd Olsen]

you may have seen that Slate.com ridiculed Baby Einstien creator Julie Aigner-Clarke because they don't think she's a "businesswoman". The male author of the attack should know working moms derserve to be recognized as heroes. Aigner-Clarke was applauded in last night's State of the Union speech. today she gets attacked. can't you set aside your politics for one moment?