InterActivist Writer’s Guidelines
Note: these guidelines apply to the length and format of an article. This does not, and will not attempt to, address the content insofar as to what topics, events or happenings the magazine will cover.
Briefs: Briefs must consist of a brief summary of an event or news item, told concisely and completely. Minimum of one human source, preference is three. Source is not required to be local. Length should be at least 350 words, no more than 850.
Department pieces: Department pieces consist of every section that is regularly and repeatedly published in the magazine. This means columns, spotlights, commentary, pretty much everything that appears on a regular basis in the magazine, i.e. beats. This covers our quarterly environment pieces, media pieces, women’s issues, international, everything that isn’t hard news. If you need a definition of hard news, retake journalism 101. Word limit is a minimum of 800 words, maximum of 1,600. Do your best to stick to AP style. Everything, including columns and commentary, must be supported by some checkable fact, with a minimum of three human sources, at least one of which should be local (sourcing requirements aren’t hard-and-fast, but this is a general guideline. Only good excuse for not having at least a few sources is that there aren’t enough, and if there aren’t enough, you’re not looking hard enough). This applies to columns too – especially columns. Columns shouldn’t be an essay on your personal opinion – that’s a blog.
Features: Features include in-depth investigative reporting, commentary and feature coverage of items and topics that require more coverage or a more in-depth look. This also includes special coverage, irregular pieces, or department pieces that merit additional coverage. These should be a minimum of 1,500 words, maximum of 2,000 or 3,200 words. They do not need to fit on a two page spread. They require a minimum of three human sources, at least one of which must be local (preferably at least two of the three should be local for a feature) but at least five sources should be the preference.
Poetry: All poetry submitted must be contained to a single page preference on half- or quarter-page poems.
Staff picks: Staff picks fall under the categories of books, movies, Web sites and music. Documentaries fall under the heading of movies, but we should not restrict ourselves to documentaries alone. The maximum submissions for each month is limited to 12. That can be a combination of the four different categories, or all 12 in one. With the picks, include a brief (one sentence) summary of what it is about, and a brief explanation of why we like it, or why it is relevant.
Spotlights: Spotlights include a brief introduction (who this person/group is, why they are important) and a transcription of an interview with them. Try to have at least 10 unique questions for the person and at least a 30 minute interview. After the fact you can go in and choose the best questions and responses, or parts of responses, to be published. The staff will decide whether the spotlight merits feature or department status based on the person being spotlighted and the quality of their responses. Should be around 1,600 or 2,500 words.
Remember, rules are meant to be broken. These are guidelines to improve the quality of the publication, but are not meant to limit creative thinking. However, if you’re going to break guidelines, there should be a reason for it.
WORD LIMITS // BY PAGE
News:
4 page spread (3500 words max)
3 page spread (2500 words max)
2 page spread (1600 words max)
1 page spread (850 words max)
1/2 page spread (350 words max)
Feature/Opinion:
4 page spread (3200 words max)
3 page spread (2000 words max)
2 page spread (1500 words max)
1 page spread (800 words max)
1/2 page spread (350 words max)
Poems:
1/4 page spread (25 lines)
1/2 page spread (25-35 lines)
1 page spread (70 lines)
2 page spread (140 lines)
_________________________
Writer’s Name
Approximate word count
Contact info (phone and email)
(leave six lines of white space)
Headline (write your own, the editors and layout people will refine it)
(leave two lines of space between title and manuscript)
Now include the body of your text, or the copy. It should be double spaced in a readable font like Times New Roman, at least 12-point font. Margins should be a minimum of an inch at sides and top (excluding slug at top of other pages). Bottom margin should be an inch and a half.
Slug all pages after the first one. In the header of the document, write a one-word slug line (title or topic) and page number at the top of the page, beginning on the second page. Please number your pages, at the top and flush right. This makes it easier, because some editors may prefer to print out your piece and hand edit it before handing it back to the writer.
Place in italics words you feel should be italicized. But don’t get carried away; editors generally avoid italics. Let the editor decide what, if anything, merits boldface. Exclamation points make you look like an amateur!!! Don’t use them.
Put an end-stop at the end (-30-) so the editor knows when the copy ends.
-30-