Writer Submissions

Livin’ Magazine takes great pride in it’s diversity of writers, and is happy to entertain queries and ideas. There are several categories and the provided information is only a brief synopsis. Please feel free to email Kyle@elkpublishing.com with specific questions. Livin’ The Vermont Way magazine reserves the right to edit any submitted material.

Fiction/ Poetry/ Satire

Open submissions allowed. Please include name, address, and phone number. Length should be no longer than 800 words but exceptions are possible with prior approval.

Opinion Pieces

Open submissions are allowed. Please limit length to 600 words and include name, address, and email.

Letters

Letters must include name, address, and phone number. Please limit length to 250 words.

Other Stories

Please contact the editor prior to submitting feature length, unqueried articles. Preferred method of submission is via email in a word format. Submissions via mail should be sent to Livin’ Magazine 531 Main St. Colchester VT 05446. A self-addressed stamped envelope must accompany all mail submissions.

Style

Writers should refer to the AP Style Manual with the following exceptions:

1. Limited abbreviations: Spell it out for the reader: State Senator Jan Backus, US Representative Peter Smith.
2. State abbreviations: Use the postal codes when identifying a town and state. Worcester, MA, Brunswick, ME.
Otherwise, if the state stands alone, spell it out.
3. When referencing time of day use the following style: 8 a.m., 12:30 p.m., 7 p.m.
4. No Mr., Mrs., Miss or Ms, or any other kind of courtesy title except in a relevant case for a medical doctor. Even then it is preferable to write John Jones, MD, to identify him.
5. Limit Capitalization: Proper nouns are all that need be capitalized. Titles are capitalized only before the name: Burlington Mayor Peter Clavelle, otherwise it would be: Peter Clavelle, mayor of Burlington. Even the pope is lower case as a stand-alone. Institutions should be capitalized: the Kunin Administration and the Rutland Planning Commission.
6. Use formal names when reporting. Spell out William and Richard and Robert, etc. Use the person’s nickname only if he would not be known without it: Stewart “Bill” Henke. This is not necessary when telling a story.
7. Use Past Tense. It’s consistent. It’s easy. It’s unpretentious.
8. Use Said. “Golly gosh, ” he said. Said is invisible. It does not even register in the reader’s mind. You do not want the reader’s eye to stop on the attribution’s verb. If the quote needs clarification of what the person is trying to say, the quote is not good enough. On VERY rare occasions do you need more than said.
9. Use subheads on longer stories to break up stories.
10. Byline at top. Correspondent identification at bottom. Write it as you want it to read and do not make it too long.
11. Double space between paragraphs only.
12. Do not use tabs.
13. Be aware of the use of commas around phrases and clauses.

Additional Writer Guidelines

All work must be submitted in one of the following ways (listed in order of preference):

1. Email: Send attached as Word file or ASCII text; otherwise, cut and paste into the email. Send to: Kyle@elkpublishing.com
2. Disk: PC format for Microsoft Word
3. Hard-copy: Laser printer or typewriter

First page should include writer’s name, address, phone # and email in the upper left-hand corner.

All stories and columns should include:

1. A suggested headline
2. Photos with suggested cutlines
3. A suggested tagline for the writer

Late stories, plagiarism, and factual errors cannot be tolerated. Repeat regular contributors will be replaced and only work submitted on speculation will be entertained.

Photo Submissions

Digital

Digital photos can be accepted in these formats: .pdf, .jpg, .tif, .bmp
Digital images must be at least 300 dpi and 3-by-5 inches. Please include your name a photo credit and send them to amanda@elkpublishing.com

Please Note: Images taken from a website generally do not work. All 72 dpi images must be large enough to shrink them down to the appropriate resolution. All 72 dpi pics must be at least 900 pixels x 1500 pixels or 12″ x 20″. This will allow us to print them without distortion. If we receive a 72 dpi image that is smaller than this dimension we will not be able to use it because the resolution will be too low for it to appear clearly in the magazine. If you are unsure if you photograph meets these requirements, feel free to send us us what you have. Please contact Amanda at amanda@elkpublishing.com or call us at 802-879-2013 with additional questions.

35mm Prints

Photo prints should be sent to:
Livin’ Magazine Attn: Amanda
531 Main Street
Colchester, VT 05446

Slides and prints should be submitted labeled and in protective plastic sheets. A letter authorizing reproduction needs to accompany copyrighted materials. If you desire the photos/slides returned, please provide a self-addressed envelope. We will provide the postage.