Grit

http://www.grit.com/

GRIT Guidelines for Writers & Photographers

GRIT is a nationally distributed bi-monthly magazine with a circulation of approximately 150,000 through subscriptions and newsstand distribution. GRIT celebrates the intergenerational bonds among those who live on the land with spirit and style – a legacy of self-sufficiency, audacious ingenuity and pragmatic problem solving that gave this country its backbone and continues to shape its unique character.

DO NOT try to write for GRIT if you know nothing about rural life, gardening or urban farming. We intend to be an authoritative and sometimes playful voice for rural lifestyle farmers and country or small-town dwellers, and we require our writers to be informed about that way of life.

NO unsolicited manuscripts will be accepted; authors must query first. We only accept e-mail queries, which must include “Query” and the subject of your query in the subject line. Include full name, address and phone number. If a query is accepted, the author will be contacted regarding the article assignment. Send queries to Caleb Regan, cregan@grit.com.

Articles are assigned; no editorial calendar is published. An excellent way to have a first article published in GRIT is to become a member of the GRIT blogging team. Contact Traci Smith via e-mail, tsmith@grit.com.

GRIT purchases shared rights, which grants the publisher the right to publish or republish the work in any form in any country, at any time. The author agrees not to publish the work in any other media for a period ending one year after the date of the issue in which the work initially appears. After this period, the author retains the right to republish the work in any form in any country at any time, as well.

Features

GRIT publishes feature-length articles on topics of interest to those living in rural areas, on farms or ranches, or those interested in the rural lifestyle. Articles will be from 800 to 1,500 words.

Samples of feature articles:

• Become an Heirloom Seed Sleuth – Seven strategies to save plants on the edge of extinction.
• Farmer John, or the Real Dirt on Vegetables – Interview with John Peterson, one of the country’s leading advocates of Community Supported Agriculture. A lifelong Illinois farmer, Peterson was on the verge of losing his family farm during the farm crises of the 1980s. He made the switch to organic farming, and began offering subscriptions to his farm, creating community and some really great food.
• Born in a Barn – Some great houses got their start in very humble beginnings: a barn. Interviews with three homeowners tell how. Sidebar focuses on other structures that have become offices, studios or homes, with practical info on how to know if a renovation is feasible or foolish.

Departments

Departments include GRIT Gazette (news and quirky briefs of interest to lifestyle farmers); Country Tech (looking at equipment necessary for the farm life); Looking Back (nostalgic look at life on the farm); and In The Shop (how-to for those specialty farm items). Other departments are Comfort Foods, Recipe Box, Wild GRIT and Sow Hoe (gardening topics).

Departments and columns are generally 500 to 1,500 words. GRIT Gazette items are 350 to 700 words.

Photos

Good quality photos accompanying manuscripts are considered. Once an assignment has been made, the author will be asked to send low-resolution images for review.

Freelance photographers are contacted via an e-mail callout that lists specific topics for an issue. Please send low-resolution images, links to lightboxes, or contact sheets via e-mail in response to a specific callout. To be added to the callout list, please e-mail Caleb Regan, cregan@grit.com. If we select your images, we will ask you for high-resolution versions, to be e-mailed – one image per e-mail – as jpgs with at least 300 dpi resolution, and as large as possible. Include complete caption and credit information.

Submissions & Payment

A sample copy is available upon written request; please send $6 to GRIT Editorial, Attn: Editorial Clerk, 1503 S.W. 42nd St., Topeka, KS 66609.

A contract will be sent when an article is accepted; payment is upon publication. GRIT assumes no responsibility for any material lost or damaged.

Rates vary depending on experience and expertise. Fees are negotiated on an individual basis. Payment will include two contributor’s copies.

After assignment has been made, send article to GRIT Magazine, Attn: Jean Teller, 1503 S.W. 42nd St., Topeka, KS 66609. If submitting for a particular department, please note on the envelope and in the cover letter. 

• Include your full name, address, telephone number, e-mail address and submission title on a dated cover letter, if sending by USPS.

• If submitting via e-mail, include full name, address and telephone number, along with submission title in cover letter. Indicate title and “Requested material” in subject line. Send e-mails to Jean Teller, jteller@grit.com.

• Submit double-spaced, typed manuscripts. Send only completed, proofread manuscripts. If you provide photographs, include a separate sheet with caption information.

• If submitting via e-mail, send cover letter with attached Word document, if at all possible.

Read more: http://www.grit.com/guidelines.aspx#ixzz1saKUvr1F

Sparkle

http://www.gemsgc.org/main/magazines.html

Sparkle Writers Guidelines

2011/2012

Sparkle is an exciting magazine designed especially for girls in the first through third grades. Sparkle is published by GEMS Girls’ Clubs (Girls Everywhere Meeting the Savior), an international ministry that starts Bible-based club programs in churches and Christian organizations. The mission of GEMS is to help bring girls everywhere into a living, dynamic relationship with Jesus Christ.

Sparkle Mission Our mission is to help girls discover who God is and how He works in His world and their lives. We strive to give girls the building blocks to create a living and dynamic faith in Jesus Christ.

Included in Sparkle:

We are looking for stories, articles, quizzes, poems, games, puzzles, and crafts that are fresh, that present the Christian life realistically, and that cause young readers to see how God’s Word—His Truth—applies to their daily lives. Submissions to Sparkle are selected based on the following criteria:

•    The manuscript must fit with the Sparkle Mission.

•    The application of Scripture to everyday life.

•    The ability to engage culture—meaning it must be relevant today while still maintaining and upholding the truth of Scripture.

•    The ability to delight the reader.

•    The ability to cause the reader to evaluate her own life in light of the Truth presented.

•    The ability to teach a practical life skill.

Each season, Sparkle dedicates its pages to the exploration of an Annual Theme. The next theme is Think Right: Win the Fight! (See below.)

Sparkle fills up quickly, so get your manuscripts in early. We read manuscripts each week. You can expect to hear from us in eight weeks.

Fiction: Our readers like stories with adventure, fantasy, and mystery, stories about animals, and situations they can relate to in their daily interaction with family and friends. Each season we focus on a different theme. We are interested in seeing how each Annual Theme connects to our overall mission—to help girls discover who God is and how He works in His world and their lives. We strive to give girls the building blocks to create a living and dynamic faith in Jesus Christ. More information about this season’s theme is provided below. Stories should be realistic and need not always have a happily ever-after ending. Stories with religious clichés are not of interest to us. Length: 100-400 words

Nonfiction: Nonfiction articles about topics that interest our readers include: animals, sports, music, musicians, famous people, interaction with family/friends/siblings, exciting and fun service projects, dealing with school work, and recipes. Length: 100-400 words

Poetry: Sparkle publishes a few poems per year. We prefer rhyming poems, as they are great reading tool for beginning readers. Length: 5-15 lines

Introduction to Theme

Each season Sparkle dedicates its pages to the exploration of an Annual Theme. The next theme is Think Right: Win the Fight! Below you will find a summary of the theme as well as needs for each issue.

Think Right: Win the Fight!

THEME VERSE

Finally, brothers (sisters), whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Philippians 4:8

THEME CONCEPT

Think Right: Win the Fight! will help girls look at their thoughts and how thinking about what they think about impacts who they become. God cares about what we think because He designed our minds to be our control centers. Every word, action, and choice begins with a thought. To become the person God wants us to be, He commands us to love Him with our minds, and to set our mind on what His Spirit desires—whatever is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent or praiseworthy. But it's not easy! We have enemies – the world, our sinful nature, and the devil – who compel us to have stinkin' thinkin'. When we rely on the Holy Spirit's power to help us think about these things, we will think right and win the fight!

THEME AIMS

• To show girls that there is a right and good way to think about things.
• To teach girls that there is an ongoing battle within their minds about what thoughts they will choose.
• To provide girls with tools they can use to help them win the fight and think right.

Take the Sparkle Challenge!

We are looking for fiction and non-fiction that weave the theme of Think Right: Win the Fight throughout each issue. We want to help girls discover who God is through His creation and the work He does in His world. You will notice that each issue will highlight a specific topic, but submissions are not limited to these ideas—each issue will highlight a variety of fun, engaging truths. We look forward to your creativity!

Issue: October 2012

Deadline: April 2, 2012

Theme: Whatever is True

Topic: Food

Issue: November 2012

Deadline: June 28, 2012

Theme: Whatever is Noble

Topic: Horses

Issue: December 2012

Deadline: August 1, 2012

Theme: Whatever is Right

Topic: Penguins

Issue: January 2013

Deadline: September 4, 2012

Theme: Whatever is Pure

Topic: Ocean

Issue: February 2013

Deadline: October 1, 2012

Theme: Whatever is Lovely

Topic: Music

Issue: March 2013

Deadline: October 29, 2013

Theme: Whatever is Admirable

Topic: Space/Solar System

Manuscripts

Criteria for Selection of Manuscripts: Submissions to Sparkle are selected based upon the following criteria:

•      The manuscript must fit with the Sparkle mission.

•      The application of Scripture to everyday life.

•      The ability to engage the culture—be relevant today—while still maintaining and upholding the truth of Scripture.

•      The ability to delight the reader.

•      The ability to cause the reader to evaluate her own life in light of the Truth presented.

•      The ability to teach a practical life skill.

Preparing Your Manuscript

•      On the first page put your name, address, and phone number, word count, the issue and topic you are submitting, as well as the rights offered.

•      Indicate fiction or nonfiction.

•      Include desired byline.

•      Give sources for all statistical information or quoted material.

Basis for Rejection of Material

1.     Inappropriate. Does not show girls how God is at work in their lives and the world around them.

2.     Too young or too old for grade one through readers.

3.     Simplistic, unrealistic, too predictable or the theological perspective differs too greatly from our own.

4.     Does not fit our themes.

5.     Duplication of material already published or submitted.

6.     Editorial needs filled.

7.     Limited need for poetry.

8.     Inept writing—poor opening, transitions, grammar. Lacks the drama or crisis that appeals to our readers.

Submitting Your Manuscript

To honor God by being responsible stewards of His creation, we are no longer accepting snail mail submissions. Thank you for helping us reduce unnecessary paper waste. Together we can make a difference Please place manuscript within body of email. Do not send attachments. Email: sparkle@gemsgc.org

Query: You need not query before submitting a manuscript.

Compensation: Compensation for all pieces that are published in Sparkle is made upon publication. Fiction and nonfiction writers receive 3-5¢ per word up to $35.00 depending on length, quality, and rights. (See the next page for list of rights.) Poetry receives $5.00 to $15.00 depending on length, quality, and rights. Games and puzzles are paid from $5.00 to $15.00. All published writers receive two copies of the issue in which their piece is published.

Editing Privileges: The editorial staff of Sparkle magazine reserves the right to edit any accepted manuscript. This is done with a conscious effort to preserve both the writer’s style and the intent of material. If editing is extensive, the edited manuscript will be submitted to the author prior to publication.

Rights: We purchase the following rights:

•        First North American Rights—The author retains copyright, and may submit the manuscript for publication elsewhere after it appears in Sparkle. Sparkle has first time printing rights.

•        Second Rights—Rates are for a previously published article. Author must own copyright, or submit proof of permission to resell from the copyright owner.

•        Simultaneous Rights—The author must notify publisher that the submitted article is being offered in another market that should not overlap our readership.

For a Sample Copy of Sparkle

You may write for a sample copy of Sparkle. Please enclose $1.00 and a 9 x 12 inch self-addressed stamped envelope. Mail to: Sparkle Attn: Michele/Sample Copy Request P.O. Box 7259 Grand Rapids, MI 49510

SHINE brightly

SHINE brightly Writers Guidelines

2012/2013

SHINE brightly is a magazine for girls ages 9 to 14 published by GEMS Girls' Clubs (Girls Everywhere Meeting the Savior), an international ministry that starts Bible-based club programs in churches and Christian organizations. The goal of GEMS is to help bring girls everywhere into a living, dynamic relationship with Jesus Christ.

SHINE brightly Mission

We believe when young girls are equipped, motivated, and passionately engaged in living out their faith in Jesus Christ they have the potential to be world changers.

Our mission is to bring girls into a dynamic relationship with Jesus Christ—a relationship that empowers them to see how God can work through individual personalities, situations, and talents. Christ was an activist. He did not neglect the needs of the people as He brought His message. We strive to encourage girls to look more like Christ by reaching outside of themselves to serve the needs of others—at home, at school, in communities, and across the world.

Included in SHINE brightly:

We are looking for stories, articles, interviews, quizzes, games, puzzles, crafts, and recipes that are fresh, that present the Christian life realistically, and that cause young readers to see how Christian beliefs apply to daily life.

We accept articles that relate to girls ages 9-14 and the experiences they can connect with. Most of their time is spent at school, in sports, involved in afterschool activities, with friends, dealing with peer problems/pressure, with family, in church groups, and learning to reach out beyond their small world.

Manuscript topics should build girls up in Christian character, but they should not be preachy. Pollyanna endings, where everything turns out perfectly, are not always realistic and our readers want realistic stories. Our readers have a great sense of humor, so your manuscripts should be fun as well as educational and inspirational. Stretch our readers by challenging them to new vision, new experiences, and setting new goals.

Each season SHINE brightly dedicates its pages to the exploration of an Annual Theme. The next theme is Think Right: Win the Fight! (See below.)

SHINE brightly fills up quickly, so get your manuscripts in early. We read manuscripts each week. You can expect to hear from us in eight weeks.

Fiction: Our readers like stories with adventure, fantasy, and mystery, stories about animals, and situations they can relate to in their daily interaction with family and friends. Each season we focus on a different theme, which can be found below. We are interested in seeing how each Annual Theme connects to our overall mission—to equip, motivate, and inspire girls to be activists for Christ. Stories should be realistic and need not always have a happily ever-after ending. Stories with religious clichés are not of interest to us. We have found that there is a great void when it comes to adventure stories for girls. Whether fiction or actual accounts, we are looking for stories that highlight our theme within the context of an exciting story. Length: 700-900 words.

Nonfiction: Nonfiction articles about topics that interest our readers include: animals, sports, music, movies, musicians, personal care, fashion, famous people, interaction with family/friends/siblings, exciting and fun service projects, dealing with schoolwork, and recipes. Length: 100-800 words.

Introduction to Theme

Each season SHINE brightly dedicates its pages to the exploration of an Annual Theme. The next theme is Think Right: Win the Fight! Below you will find a summary of the theme as well as needs for each issue.

Think Right: Win the Fight!

THEME VERSE

Finally, brothers (sisters), whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Philippians 4:8

THEME CONCEPT

Think Right: Win the Fight! will help girls look at their thoughts and how thinking about what they think about impacts who they become. God cares about what we think because He designed our minds to be our control centers. Every word, action, and choice begins with a thought. To become the person God wants us to be, He commands us to love Him with our minds, and to set our mind on what His Spirit desires—whatever is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent or praiseworthy. But it's not easy! We have enemies – the world, our sinful nature, and the devil – who compel us to have stinkin' thinkin'. When we rely on the Holy Spirit's power to help us think about these things, we will think right and win the fight!

THEME AIMS

• To show girls that there is a right and good way to think about things.
• To teach girls that there is an ongoing battle within their minds about what thoughts they will choose.
• To provide girls with tools they can use to help them win the fight and think right.

The SHINE brightly Challenge!

We are looking for fiction, non-fiction, and inspiring biographies that weave the overall theme of thinking right into each issue. We encourage submissions that complete this task well and successfully relay the importance of thinking about the words in Philippians 4:8.

We will also be intentionally focused on the tough stuff girls go through every day. We will explore issues like bullying, jealousy, cheating, friend issues, body image, obeying parents, and peer pressure and give girls guidance on ways to deal with them.

General submissions and submissions regarding Think Right: Win the Fight! will be accepted until January 2013. For a month-to-month schedule of how the issues girls deal with will be featured, check out the deadlines below. We look forward to your creativity!

Issue: September 2012

Deadline: April 2, 2012

Topic: Jealousy

Issue: October 2012

Deadline: May 17, 2012

Topic: Cheating/Lying

Issue: November 2012

Deadline: June 18, 2012

Topic: Sibling Issues

Issue: December 2012

Deadline: July 25, 2012

Topic: Bullying

Issue: January 2013

Deadline: August 20, 2012

Topic: Body Image

Issue: February 2013

Deadline: September 24, 2012

Topic: Gossip/Friend Issues

Issue: March 2013

Deadline: October 22, 2012

Topic: Obeying Parents

Issue: April 2013

Deadline: November 19, 2012

Topic: Peer Pressure

Issue: Summer 2013

Deadline: December 17, 2012

Topic: Think Right: Win the Fight!

SHINE brightly fills up quickly, so get your manuscripts in early. We read manuscripts each week. You can expect to hear from us in eight weeks.

Manuscripts:

Criteria for Selection of Manuscripts: Submissions to SHINE brightly are selected based upon the following criteria:

1.The manuscript must fit with the SHINE brightly mission.

2.The application of Scripture to everyday life.

3.The ability to engage the culture—be relevant today—while still maintaining and upholding the truth of Scripture.

4.The ability to delight the reader.

5.The ability to cause the reader to evaluate her own life in light of the Truth presented.

6.The ability to teach a practical life skill.

Preparing Your Manuscript

1.   On the first page put your name, address, and phone number, word count, the issue and topic you are submitting, as well as the rights offered.

2.   Indicate fiction or nonfiction.

3.   Include desired byline.

4.   Give sources for all statistical information or quoted material.

Basis for Rejection of Material

1.Inappropriate. Does not show girls how God is at work in their lives and the world around them.

2.Too young or too old for our 9 to 14 year-old readers.

3.Simplistic, unrealistic, too predictable or the theological perspective differs too greatly from our own.

4.Does not fit our themes.

5.Duplication of material already published or submitted.

6.Editorial needs filled.

7.Limited need for poetry.

8.Inept writing—poor opening, transitions, grammar. Lacks the drama or crisis that appeals to our readers.

Submitting Your Manuscript

To honor God by being responsible stewards of His creation, we are no longer accepting snail mail submissions. Thank you for helping us reduce unnecessary paper waste. Together we can make a difference Please place manuscript within body of email. Do not send attachments. Email: shinebrightly@gemsgc.org

Query: You need not query before submitting a manuscript.

Compensation: Compensation for all pieces that are published in SHINE brightly is made upon publication. Fiction and nonfiction writers receive 3-5¢ per word up to $35.00 depending on length, quality, and rights. (See below for list of rights.) Poetry receives $5.00 to $15.00 depending on length, quality, and rights. Games and puzzles are paid from $5.00 to $15.00. All published writers receive two copies of the issue in which their piece is published.

Editing Privileges: The editorial staff of SHINE brightly Magazine reserves the right to edit any accepted manuscript. This is done with a conscious effort to preserve both the writer’s style and the intent of material. If editing is extensive, the edited manuscript will be submitted to the author prior to publication.

Rights: We purchase the following rights:

1.   First North American Rights—The author retains copyright, and may submit the manuscript for publication elsewhere after it appears in SHINE brightly. SHINE brightly has first time printing rights.

2.   Second Rights—Rates are for a previously published article. Author must own copyright, or submit proof of permission to resell from the copyright owner.

3.   Simultaneous Rights—The author must notify publisher that the submitted article is being offered in another market that should not overlap our readership.

For a Sample Copy of SHINE brightly

You may write for a sample copy of SHINE brightly. Please enclose $1.00 and a 9 x 12 inch self-addressed stamped envelope. Mail to: SHINE brightly
Attn: Michele/Sample Copy Request
P.O. Box 7259 
Grand Rapids, MI 49510

Cineaste Magazine

http://www.cineaste.com//

Cineaste (subtitled “America’s Leading Magazine on the Art and Politics of the Cinema”) is a quarterly publication, founded in 1967, which offers a social, political, and aesthetic perspective on the cinema. We are interested in all areas of the cinema, including Hollywood films (old and new), American independent cinema, quality European films, and the cinema of developing nations. Familiarity with our editorial policies and publishing history is a must for authors. The most frequent reason we reject material is that the potential contributor has sent material, which, because of its length, style or subject matter, is clearly inappropriate for either our magazine or our Website (where we post some contributions we are unable to publish in the magazine as “Web Exclusives”).

STYLE: Our target audience is the intelligent general public, a public that is fairly sophisticated about both art and politics. No matter how complex the ideas or arguments advanced, we demand readability. We think it is the job of the writer to clarify his or her thoughts and not for the reader to decipher clumsy formulations. We dislike academic jargon, obtuse Marxist terminology, film-buff trivia, show-biz references, or obscure theoretical references. We do not want our writers, for example, to speak of how they have “read” or “decoded” a film, but to convey how they have viewed, analyzed, and critically interpreted a film. Discussing both the strengths and weaknesses of a film is more important to us than uncritically promoting it simply because the film’s producers or politics are agreeable.

FEATURE ARTICLES: Authors should discuss their subject (e.g., a film, a film genre, a current production trend, a career overview, an artistic or political movement, etc.) in depth. The author should examine both the sociopolitical context and artistic aspects of the topic. When appropriate, provide quotes from the filmmakers about their specific intentions with the work rather than your speculations about same. Don’t neglect the political implications of the work and its social perspective, no matter how seemingly innocuous the film, how formulaic its plot, or how conventional its generic format. Whenever possible, any bibliographic or other sources should briefly be incorporated into the text rather than detailed in a lengthy list of footnotes. When this is impractical, and depending on the nature of the submission, we will cite end notes for sources or references. Preferred length for feature articles is in the range of 3,000 to 4,000 words. Email a letter of inquiry and a detailed proposal on your feature article idea, indicating your overall critical approach and the specific themes you plan to examine. Do not phone our office to speak to an editor about such proposals. We need to see your proposal in writing.

One article format we encourage is an omnibus review of several current films, preferably those not reviewed in a previous issue. Such a topical article would focus on films that perhaps share a certain political perspective, subject matter, or generic concerns (e.g., films on suburban life, or urban violence, or revisionist Westerns). Like individual Film Reviews, these articles should incorporate a very brief synopsis or reference to the storyline for those who haven’t seen the films. The main focus, however, should be on the social issues manifested in these related films and how they may reflect something about the current political/social/aesthetic climate.

INTERVIEWS: Interviews may be with directors, performers, writers, composers, producers, distributors, technicians, or anyone else involved in the creative or business side of filmmaking. While upbeat and agreeable discussions with filmmakers whose work we admire are fine, we prefer interviews that are provocative, perhaps even hard-hitting, with challenging (but not hostile) questions posed and problematic or controversial points pursued, with the interviewer being willing to discuss both a film’s strengths and weaknesses. Our experience is that most interviewees respect a well-prepared interviewer who takes their work seriously enough to ask informed and sometimes demanding questions. “Puff” pieces that lionize and merely flatter filmmakers are inevitably either embarrassing or boring. We are interested in 1) In-depth career interviews with major personalities; 2) Medium-length interviews usually on a current production or issue; and 3) Very short interviews of a few questions, which can be used as a sidebar interview accompanying a separate review of the film.

An interview is more than a straightforward transcript of questions and answers. Transcripts of interviews must be edited, condensed, and, when necessary, rearranged to bring major themes into focus and to aid in the flow of the conversation. We wish to emphasize that the focus of the interview is the interviewee, not the interviewer. A typical sign of a poor interview is the inordinate length of the questions, which are as long, or even longer, than the answers.

Whenever possible, we prefer that the interviewee see this material for approval (or corrections, clarifications, or additions) before submission to us. It is helpful, but not absolutely necessary, to provide a brief introduction to the interview, offering some critical commentary on the film(s) under discussion and a bit of background information on the filmmaker, and a suggested title. Photos (provided as high-resolution Adobe Photoshop jpg files) of the interviewee are appreciated, but not mandatory.

               

FILM REVIEWS: We prefer reviews that focus on one film in current theatrical release or due to be released shortly in North America. The review should relate what is of merit and what is not in the film under discussion. It should incorporate early in the review a very brief synopsis or description of the plot (avoiding or at least flagging plot “spoilers”) for those who haven’t seen the film. Your review should not, however, be in the guise of a lengthy plot outline, interpolated with your critical commentary. We are concerned with aesthetics as well as content, with how cinematic techniques affect a film’s impact. Preferred length is about 1,500 words for feature reviews. Please provide production credits and distribution source information with your review, following the format we use in the magazine.

Please note that since we have space in each issue for only five to six “Film Reviews,” our editors engage in extensive discussions about which films we want to cover. For each issue, we try to select a

balanced mix of mainstream Hollywood films of particular political or cultural importance, quality foreign films, and American independent films, including both fiction films and documentaries. The principal reasons we decide not to make free-lance Film Review assignments proposed to us, or to publish completed Film Reviews submitted to us, are 1) because our Editorial Board has decided to cover other films in a particular issue, 2) because our editors have not seen the film proposed for review, and we do not wish to assign coverage of films we have not seen for ourselves, or 3) because the film is not going to be exhibited or distributed in North America.

DVD and BLU-RAY REVIEWS: We publish in each issue five to six reviews of either new or recent films (in particular those not covered in previous issues) or vintage and classic films released on DVD and Blu-ray. Preferred length for DVD reviews of single titles is in the range of 1,000 to 1,500 words, or longer for reviews covering multiple titles or box sets. The critical approach should be the same as that recommended for Film Reviews, except that you should also include some commentary on any supplementary materials or “extras’ on the disc, and, when appropriate, some discussion of the technical quality of the transfer, especially if the title has previously been released in video format. Please provide brief production credits and distribution-source information with your review(s), following the format used in the magazine.

BOOK REVIEWS: Book reviews should deal with newly published books, although recent books as much as two years old may be covered depending on the work’s importance. Reviewers may focus on one book or several related titles. We encourage review-essays in which the discussion serves as a vehicle for a broader treatment of ideas or issues; but, to be fair to authors, their works also deserve to be treated seriously rather than merely as launching pads for general essays. Preferred length for feature reviews of individual books is 1,000 to 1,500 words. Longer review lengths for multiple-title reviews will be negotiated with our Book Review Editor. Please provide complete publication credits with your review (e.g., publisher, publication year, number of pages, illus., etc.), following the format used in the magazine.

COLUMNS: From time to time, our magazine includes an entry in one of our irregular columns, “A Second Look” or “Lost and Found. “A Second Look” article (1,000 to 1,500 words) should offer a new or revisionist interpretation of a film classic or a reevaluation of an unjustly neglected release of more recent vintage. “Lost and Found” articles (1,000 to 1,500 words) should discuss a film that may or may not be released or otherwise seen in the U.S. but which is important enough to be brought to the attention of our readers. Please note that “Communiqué” essays on film festivals, now published only on our Website, are written exclusively by members of our Editorial Board. We do not accept from free-lance contributors either proposals or completed manuscripts for such articles on film festivals.

SUBMISSIONS: The editors are always glad to consider either completed manuscripts or new manuscripts written “on spec” by free-lance authors through special arrangement with our editors, meaning that we have agreed to consider, but do not guarantee publication, of such “on spec” submissions. We assume that all manuscripts are not reworked versions of previously published material or manuscripts submitted simultaneously to several different periodicals (e.g., we don’t want to have our editors spend time reading and evaluating your manuscript only to learn, when we write to you to offer publication, that you have recently agreed to have it published elsewhere!) Your submission should preferably be emailed to us as a Microsoft Word document (with top and bottom margins of 1” and left and right margins of 1.25”). Film and book titles in your manuscript should be italicized rather than underlined.

We will attempt to respond to submitted manuscripts as soon as possible, and usually no longer than two to three weeks after receipt. Unsolicited material will be given serious consideration, but it is best to query first in case the film, book, or topic has already been assigned. No reworked term papers, please! We prefer to have all proposals and submissions emailed to us at cineaste@cineaste.com. If you use surface mail and wish your manuscript returned, please provide a stamped, self-addressed envelope, otherwise your manuscript will be discarded.

Authors we have not previously published are advised to, whenever possible, accompany their proposals with samples of previously published material (either PDF files or links to online sources). Authors are also encouraged to provide details about particular areas of expertise (e.g., contemporary Italian cinema, French cinema of the Thirties, American cinema of the silent era,film noir, etc.) you can offer, and this information will be incorporated into out free-lance authors’ database for reference in terms of making future assignments.

ASSIGNMENTS: Authors who accept review assignments should always notify us if they feel that their own research interests, previous publications, or associations with filmmakers or book authors, could potentially create a conflict of interest, making a fair critical evaluation difficult or impossible. Authors who receive a formal assignment from us should understand that an editorial assignment in no way guarantees publication of your completed manuscript. All submissions, whether editorial assignments or written “on spec,” must be approved for publication by a majority vote of the Cineaste Editorial Board.

REVISIONS: If we feel your submission needs further work, we will either 1) Return the manuscript to you with suggestions for changes, or 2) Make minor editorial changes and submit the revised manuscript for your approval. A Writer’s Agreement Form will be sent for all manuscripts accepted for publication, detailing publication terms and payment options. Before publication, all authors will be sent the final, edited version of their manuscript for approval.

PAYMENT: We currently pay a minimum of $20 for “Short Take” reviews; $40 for book or DVD reviews (the author may retain the book or DVD reviewed; in the case of book or DVD reviews posted on our Website as “Web Exclusives,” no cash payment is offered); a minimum of $50 for Film Reviews and short articles, columns, sidebar interviews, or essays; a minimum payment of $100 for feature articles or feature interviews. Contributors will receive at least one complimentary copy of the issue in which their contribution is published. We hope to raise these rates, being well aware—as a non-profit magazine published for more than forty years by an unpaid, all-volunteer staff—that good writing merits adequate compensation. Royalties from subsequent reprint of material originally published in our pages will be split 50/50 with the author. Our percentage will be waived if the book is a collection of the author’s work or is edited by the author.

Please do not phone the office to discuss editorial matters, since our editors are not available to phone you back to discuss them. Send your proposals or inquiries to the Editorial Board in writing at the editorial address below or, preferably, via email at cineaste@cineaste.com. All material submitted will be carefully read. Although we have published some of the best-known writers on film, we have also been the first place of publication for many writers. All the editors are themselves writers and are aware of the curt treatment writers so often receive from indifferent editors. The least you can expect from us is a thoughtful reading of your work, even though we may not be able to write you with detailed comments. If we are not interested in publishing your submission, we will try to offer recommendations as to other print or Web outlets you may wish to approach.