Your member desk — a guide.

Your member desk opens when you sign in with your email address and your password. One account is enough: if you are also a reader or a member of staff, the buttons at the top take you to your other areas.

Writing and sending a story

1. Write a story — choose the section, add your sources and a photo you have the right to use.
2. Send it to the desk. Your story is now Waiting for review. When an editor opens it, it shows Under review.
3. If the desk asks for changes, you see the editor’s note on the story. Make the changes and send it again.
4. When it is approved, it is published (or scheduled for a time). The story’s timeline shows every step and who took it.

Where it appears: the page of its section, your own author page, the Latest news, search, tags, and — for India stories — the page of its state. The desk may also put it on the front page, the breaking ticker or the editor’s picks. You may suggest the front page; the desk decides.

Your membership level decides how many stories you can send in a day, whether your stories go live without review, and whether you may suggest the front page.

Story ideas

Not sure the desk wants a story? Send a story idea first: a working headline, what is new and why it matters, and who you will speak to. An accepted idea opens straight in the editor — sometimes as a paid assignment.

Your report card

Your report card is worked out live from your work: what you publish, how often stories are approved without changes, how many people read them, whether you meet deadlines, and your conduct. The desk uses it for promotions and for permanent membership.

Membership, renewals and upgrades

Under Membership, payments & receipts you see your level, post and validity; you renew at any level, or move up to a higher level by paying only the difference. Every confirmed payment has an official receipt you can download.

Permanent membership

Members with a strong record can become permanent members: the membership fee is waived for good and they are paid for their work as agreed with the desk. See where you stand in your report card, and ask from Requests to the desk.

Notices and letters

Formal letters from the desk — appreciation, promotion, circulars, and any notice about conduct — are under Notices & letters. Read them, confirm when asked, and reply in writing there. See the disciplinary procedure.