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LOG ON Editorial Guidelines for Freelance Writers

LOG ON is poised to become Western America's largest circulated (250,000) regional interactive Internet news and lifestyle magazine, with issues devoted to the following subject areas, like: Internet usage and guide; travel and recreation; garden and outdoor living; food and entertaining; home design, remodeling, and projects; emerging technologies and computing.

LOG ON is looking for well written stories and Internet related items that offer our readers reliably satisfying web surfing experiences that can be successfully explored in a single sitting, or included as part of a longer range learning experience.

See Fall 2002-Winter Story Schedule
Sample Writer Contract
(This is a PDF file and requires Adobe Acrobat Reader)
Submit a Query On-Line
NOTE: This is the only way we will accept queries!

Once an editor approves an idea for a story or Internet news item, the writer will be issued a Story Contract assigning an approximate word length and due date for the text. The contract specifies the terms of the agreement between the writer and the publisher, Internet Marketing Concepts.

Writers must have computer capabilities to submit stories by e-mail. The assigned text should be submitted with the resource material specified in the contract.

Following submission of the text, the writer may be asked to revise the manuscript for publication or to supply further information or answer questions posed by the editor.

ATTENTION WRITERS: Here's the action we want to occur with our readers. Whether the reader is perusing the magazine over lunch or a cup of coffee, or has set down in his/her easy chair to read, we want the LOG ON to eventually follow them to their computer. We expect LOG ON to be so exciting, useful and fun that it stays nearby their computer for weeks and months to come! RIGHT! We don't want much do we... but our advertisers do.

Queries

We only accept on-line submitted queries and unsolicited manuscripts. Please be patient--eventually all submissions are reviewed. Telephone queries are heartily discouraged. If we like your proposal, we may ask to see it on speculation. Acceptance for review does not imply that the article will be published. Queries should include a
thorough outline of the proposed article. Start with the lead, and then write a short summary of content, including specifics on whom you plan to interview, research sources, highlights, anecdotal information, and conclusion. Provide links to several samples of your writing (only upon request)  if we are unfamiliar with your style. We can convert almost any commercial software word processing program (though MS Word is preferred) from e-mail submitted stories/manuscripts. We are not responsible for unsolicited material of any kind.

Rates
LOG ON 's basic rate starts at 15¢ per published word or a flat rate. The word count is based upon the actual story/piece printed—not the Web Guide column. Higher payment for assignments involving extra expenses may be arranged before publication. 
Effective July 15, 2002:
Feature Rates: $150.00 flat rate per feature. Must be 1000-1500 published words; include 3 useable photos; and a minimum of six web guide briefs and links.
Cover Story Rates: $200.00 flat rate. Must be 1000-1500 published words; include 4 useable photos -- as well as suggested photos for the cover; and a minimum of six web guide briefs and links.
Column Rates: From $50.00 to $100 per column. Negotiated on an as need basis. At this time LOG ON is not seeking regular columnists. However, we are seeking off-the-wall, humor and "different" brief columns.

Whenever possible, you will be asked to include illustrative material for the article, such as snapshots or portraits supplied by the subject of the article (usually we will require 3 photos). Please identify all such artwork with the name of the photographer (if known) or studio. Artwork in that category is credited in the magazine as "Courtesy of XXXX." Payment for assigned, published photographs is additional and negotiated in advance. Payment, returnable materials, and a complimentary copy of the magazine are sent to each author within thirty days of publication.

Rights
LOG ON buys one-time-rights to your article, which will include both print and electronic versions. This does not require the written exchange of copyright from freelancers to the magazine. Occasionally, we are asked for permission to reprint an article. These requests are generally from an educational institution or a hobby club.
We cannot grant permission, and will forward such requests to the author. Most material is purchased on a one-time-rights basis, which does not require the written exchange of copyright. We reserve the right to edit and rewrite to comply with our style. Author proofs are generally not provided.

Payment will be made upon publication of the final text (same month as) with submission of an invoice in the amount specified in the contract.

After acceptance, staff copy editors and fact checkers will then process the text. Writers will be credited with a byline if the manuscript is not substantially altered before publication in the LOG ON Magazine.

Word Length: One-page stories usually run from 650 to 750 words, depending on the number of photographs or other illustrations. (See sample layout - this a large .PDF file requiring Acrobat Reader and make take a few minutes to download)

Items for LOG ON's Web Guide (See sample layout) should be six to eight suggested web sites for reference. Each suggested web site should come with a 35-40 word interesting description and title. The Web Guide is required with each story, as this is a complimentary resource and reference guide that complements the story, letting the reader interact with the story via the Internet.

In Print & On-Line: Most of LOG ON's stories & Internet news items begin in print then jump to the on-line version. Therefore, it is most unlikely that your entire story will appear in the printed LOG ON without jumping to the online version. This is done, partly, to encourage our readers to use both of our participating search engine sites, ShopMyState.com and IGotaGetAway.com. Accordingly, all featured stories accepted for publication are done so with the understanding that the story will appear on-line as well as in print.

Take-action Magazine:LOG ON is not an armchair magazine. While each Internet news item or feature ought to be entertaining to read, it must also take a "how-to-find-out-more" approach so that readers can actually participate and interact with related web sites.

Accuracy & Readability: Every story or Internet news item must be correct, clear, and interesting. LOG ON is proud of its reputation for accuracy and dependability.

Style: Stories should be written using the active voice. The tone should be informative but friendly, intelligent but not intimidating. Write as if you were giving guidance to a friend or family member. Writers may want to address the reader in the familiar (you) form ("You've probably never heard of a bull's noose, a webalized floral arrangement, or a last chance gulch. Even if you have, you'll enjoy surfing at the Front of The Line.").

Sense of Place: Writers should strive to convey a sense of place: the characteristics that set a place/web site apart and make it a worthwhile destination.

The writer's personal insight into a place/web site or event can help the reader to more thoroughly enjoy the experience ("Upon arrival, click on Bulls") or to avoid an unpleasant one (unrelated links, etc.).

Insight and local flavor also can be expressed through the judicious use of a quote or two from an expert source ("I've surfed a lot of the web, and always come back. There's a lot of hype about Malibu but also an intangible magic.").

Logical Order: Establish a logical order for topics, categories, and listings: alphabetical, chronological, geographical (north to south, near to far, etc.). Begin with an arresting lead that clearly establishes a reason for reading on.

Straight Facts: Basic facts are essential--directions for getting to a destination/web site, load times, e-mail addresses, shopping cart/credit card purchases, on-line reservation forms, costs, and telephone numbers for further information.

Freshness: Look for news pegs and fresh angles on familiar destinations or events. Often a single destination offers multiple opportunities for readers to visit related attractions such as art galleries, specialty shops, or restaurants.

Variety: Look for activities/web sites that would appeal to a wide range of readers, from families & children to empty nesters and business owners. Here are some subjects regularly treated in LOG ON's stories and Internet news items:

  • Outdoor Recreation: Bike tours; bird-watching spots; camping and hiking in state and national parks; cruising; fishing; hiking; skiing (downhill and cross-country); walking or driving tours of historic districts, fruit- or wine-producing areas. 
  • Indoor Adventures: New museums and displays; art exhibits with unique Western themes; living history programs dealing with Western lore; hands-on science programs at institutions such as aquariums or planetariums; specialty shopping (Western art, crafts, antiques).
  • Travel & Getaway Features: Great places for people to sneak away or something different for family to do on a weekend.
  • Health & Fitness: Anything from new diets, healthy foods and recipes, to consumer warnings about industry rip-offs.
  • Home & Garden: Decorating the home for the holidays, indoor and outdoor gardening and landscaping tips. 
  • Special Events: Festivals that celebrate a region's unique social, cultural, or agricultural heritage (examples: Oktoberfest, jazz festival, strawberry festival). 
  • Surprise Us: Look for great weekend getaways, backroad drives, urban adventures, culinary discoveries (ethnic dining enclaves). 
  • Internet usage and guide: Tips on using browsers, dealing with error messages, bookmarking sites, using search engines, etc.
  • Seniors & Next Generation: Something that appeals to Older Americans and children from baby care, education issues to amusement and learning centers. Perhaps something where grandma and grandpa can share the Internet, and enjoy a follow up outing with their grandchildren.
  • Emerging Technologies & Computing: Reviews of hand held devices, wireless Internet, cell phones and browsing, broadband and satellites; Windows and Linux product reviews, etc.
Photography: Writers are encouraged to submit the names of prospective sources of color photographs (35mm or digital photographs preferred) to illustrate stories, as well as actual photographs. Contact publisher for photo requirements.