I was married to a journalist for 15 years, and have done some writing myself, so maybe I can offer some thoughts, too:

1. Do newspapers in fact publish things sent in by random non-journalist types? Or do they just want to get press releases and compose the texts of articles themselves?

2. I know that magazines, scientific journals etc. expect you to send a query letter first, rather than just sending them an article. Is this also the custom with newspapers? If not, do I need a cover letter to accompany it?

I would discuss your idea with the editor (or one of the deputy editors) before you write anything. Get some sort of a commission before you write anything so you don't waste your time.


3. I'm assuming that I'd submit something by email as a word document attachment - any reason why I shouldn't do that?

No - but again, make sure you've got some sort of commission, even if it's non-paid, before you send it.


4. Is it bad form to offer an article to more than one paper at once? If I do send it to more than one, and more than one want to use it, is that OK?

I think that at least partly depends on whether you're getting paid. Again, it's a conversation to have with the editors.

5. If I'm presenting something as a press release - should I be stating the facts as baldly and briefly as possible, or trying to write something that could be published as is?

Always try to sell your story in a press release. Understand what a press release is, and what it's for. I always write press releases as a news story that can be lifted and used pretty much as is - that was on advice from my husband, and it seems to work. Journalists are largely very busy and (sometimes) quite lazy - make their job easier.