Arizona Music News Writers' Guide
COPY DEADLINES
- September 1
- November 1
- February 1
A Word to Contributors
Many articles are submitted for publication in the Arizona Music News each year. Due to space limitations in each issue, articles are selected carefully and are subject to editing to fit space and subject requirements.
The editor evaluates regular contributions and bases the worthiness of unsolicited manuscripts on the following criteria.
- Subject Matter:
- Has interest and appeal to a wide range of music educators
- Provokes thought and stimulates ideas
- Is timely and informative
- Is complete in making its point
- Writing:
- Clear
- Concise
- Smooth
- Logical
- Consistent
- Technical Style:
- Establishes purpose and points out limitations
- Arouses interest
- Avoids educational jargon
- Uses examples
- Has variety in structure
- Summarizes effectively
Permissions
When an extended quotation is taken from a book or other publication, written permission must be secured in advance by the author prior to submission. In addition, appropriate credit must be given in the body of the text or in a footnote.
Style
- Write in a clear style. Avoid jargon and flowery language. You can be most effective by being simple and direct.
- Avoid the use of gender-biased language. Use plural nouns and pronouns whenever possible.
- Length should be determined by the scope of your topic. Be concise, but provide all necessary information.
- Keep paragraphs short. Include subheads when possible.
- Use a short, descriptive and interesting title for your article
- Remember -- less is more!
Important Points to Consider
- Before you start to write:
- Consider the publication date. (Section articles will appear two months hence!)
- Decide on the purpose of your article. Don't try to impress; rather, try to inform and broaden the thinking of the reader.
- Discard trivial detail and stick to the main topic.
- As you write:
- Plunge right in and get to the point.
- Write for your readership, not some unknown scholarly audience.
- Again, beware of cliches or 'educationese'.
- Don't hesitate to rewrite.
- When you are finished writing, ask yourself if your article interests you!
Photographs add visual interest to copy.
Those contributors who submit section articles on a regular basis should have a professional quality portrait (either formal or action pose) on file with ImageGraphics. Other photos must also be of high quality (composition and resolution) and should be clearly labeled on the back with identification and/or an appropriate caption.
Black and white, glossy photographs are best suited for reproduction in the magazine. Color will be accepted only at the discretion of the publisher. Photos submitted electronically must be 300 dpi to be useable.
Guidelines for Authors
Manuscripts will be acknowledged upon receipt. Because of the seasonal and often thematic nature of the AMN, some articles accepted for publication will not appear immediately. The editor reserves the right to determine whether the manuscript will be used as a regular article, special feature or editorial.
Each author is responsible for the accuracy of all material submitted, including references, quotations, statistics, photo identification, etc.
Copyright
All material submitted must be the original work of the author unless otherwise noted. Permission is granted to the Association:
- to edit and publish the material;
- to republish the material, or any part of it, in any future AMEA publication; and
- to grant permission to persons and organizations who formally request the right to reprint the material, in whole or in part.
Manuscript Submission Format
Articles and columns for the Arizona Music News are to be submitted to the Editor of Arizona Music News as follows:
- Robert Bayless, AMEA Editor, Arizona Music News
-
rbayless65@comcast.net
4381 N Summerset Loop, Tucson, AZ 85750
- Preferred: Send via electronic mail. You will receive confirmation of its arrival. If not, please re-send.
- Send computer disk for PC Microsoft Word along with paper copy to the editor. Artwork, charts, etc., must be submitted in black and white on separate pages.
- If you must send paper only, please do so BEFORE THE DEADLINE, typed, double-spaced to the editor.
Allow one week for delivery. The deadline dates are receipt dates, not postmark dates!
Include the date for proposed publication, title of the article, plus complete identification and address of the author.