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Writer’s Guidelines

CONTACT INFORMATION  
Writer Submission Guidelines & Frequently Asked Questions    
1. Do you prefer hardcopy (via US mail), e-mail or disk?

* We prefer e-mail, but accept all submissions. We prefer the text to be in the body of the e-mail, rather than as an attached file. If you do attach the file, please do so as a word document.

  
2. What is the preferred length for articles, depts and/or columns?

* Articles should be anywhere from 500-1500 words.
* We do not like to quote parents in other geographical locations. We are a local parenting resource and prefer to add quotes from Vermont families.
* Topic should be covered thoroughly, we can add a sidebar of local resources, national ones are helpful (writers should try to get these).

  
3. What rights do you prefer and what is your payment schedule?

* We ask that a writer sell an article to Kids VT exclusively in the Vermont market.
* We like to be able to use articles on our Web site if possible. If there is an extra fee we need to know.
* Payment depends on the article. If it’s going to be a great resource for parents and Kids VT can add an advertising section to it, it’s worth more. If it’s a humor or filler article, then it’s worth less.

  
4. Does your publication have overlapping readership with similar publications in your area? If yes, which one(s)?

*We do not have another “Parenting Publication“ but there is the daily paper -The Burlington Free Press and many town papers. We ask that you do not sell the same piece to any other Vermont paper or magazine. You can submit it, obviously, but our feeling is - first one to print or buy it - gets it. Also, if another area paper has already published it please do not submit it to Kids VT.

  
5. Are local writers preferred over out-of-the-area writers?

*Obviously a well written local piece is preferred. The author can talk to parents and s/he knows the great “kid-friendly“ shops, great places to have a party, etc. We also love to get good freelance material.

  
6. Do you respond to an author only if the article is accepted?

*Yes, we do not contact you to tell you that we got it and we won’t be using it. We’ll e-mail you to tell you (and ask for an invoice to be sent). We pay writers in approximately 30 days after we publish the article.

  
7. IMPORTANT We like to do local sidebars to articles. For instance, if we get an article on great skiing advice, we do a sidebar on where to ski locally, the costs and kids’ programs. The articles can’t be self-serving so a general article with room for local resources sounds much better! Every article should have the writer’s name, address, phone number and e-mail (if applicable). Sometimes we receive a cover letter with many articles attached and only the cover letter has this information. Our system basically is: if we do not think that we will ever use an article we either delete the e-mail, or recycle it (thus, e-mail is better, ecologically). If we like an article it goes into a file for future use, or slated for possible use in a specific issue and therefore, we need information on each and every submission.