When you want to have something published you will have to work with the editor, reporter etc. You have to be able to help them out and not just expect them to do everything foryou.

Whether you're dealing with an editorial board, a reporter, an editor, the editor of the op-ed pages, or whoever it may happen to be, the more you can do their job for them-make it easy, connect them to something that's topical, that's going to be concisely written, well done, do it all for them-you exponentially increase your chances. And if they don't bite on it, don't try to ram it down their throats. Don't give them apples when they want oranges. Give them their oranges. They'll take the oranges. Then give them apples later.

There is a lot more great information about using newspaper and magazine editorial pages in How to Use Newspaper and Magazine Editorial Pages.