Each text handled by HNS must explore the historical background or context of a current event, situation, or issue or concern an issue on which historians, because of the strength and vitality of their understanding and professional experience, can knowledgeably reflect. While none of these categories are hard and fast, HNS uses them to determine the texts that it will edit and distribute under its name. To be accepted as a piece written and distributed under the auspices of HNS, the piece must first be approved as suitable for editing by HNS's co-directors. Those who write under the identity of HNS are of course also free to identify themselves by their other professional positions or achievements. HNS accepts submissions only directly from authors, not through third parties.
All correspondence regarding submitted pieces takes place directly between writers and editors.
While writers for HNS give HNS authority to make the initial distribution of their articles, they retain copyright in their work and are completely at liberty to accept for themselves all credit and any honoraria that may be offered to them for their work. However, HNS asks that it be credited as the syndicated news service in which the article first appeared. Copies of writers' articles are distributed directly to roughly 300 metropolitan daily newspapers in North America, as well as to some wire Services and other outlets. A current list of recipients of HNS articles can be found at Subscribers . HNS writers receive electronic copies of their distributes texts shortly after HNS distributes them to the press.