| Ways to Contribute | How to Send |
| Editorial Deadlines | Rights and Terms |
| Writing Guidelines | How to List References/Nomenclature |
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Dear Contributor: The Springs committee and staff are always looking for new insights, perspectives and voices. We work with all types of authors: successful business owners and managers, engineering professors, management consultants and innovative employees. We encourage you to consider joining the ranks of Springs' authors. You need not have been published before or be a brilliant wordsmith to generate the ideas and stories that are the backbone of Springs' editorial content. The staff and committee provide the necessary link between reader and author. They make the entire process as painless as possible by fielding queries about possible submissions, editing and polishing raw manuscripts, and sending authors proofs of edited text to check before publication. In addition, Springs works with a technical advisor who reviews articles for technical accuracy and relevancy. Springs genuinely believes that this "partnership in expertise" between editor and author is absolutely the best way to provide readers with practical information in an easy-to-read, even entertaining, format. But to begin with, we need you. The first step is to introduce you to the various ways you can contribute. We put together this editorial kit to do just that. Should you have further questions about the magazine or wish to discuss specific story ideas after reviewing the enclosed material, please feel free to call me at (630) 495-8588 ext.15. Once again, I thank you for your interest in contributing to Springs. Sincerely, The Editor |
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In analyzing all contributions, Springs looks for information that will help our readers run their businesses more effectively. We are far more interested in comprehensive detail than flashy writing. In fact, we like to develop a "partnership in expertise" with our authors; you provide the technical knowledge and we assist you with communications and presentation skills. Thus, once your article is accepted for publication, you should expect the editor to be in touch regarding the edited version of your manuscript. All authors receive edited copy before publication so they can verify the factual accuracy of the reworked piece. You may direct your article to a particular group of readers if it does not seem appropriate to write for everyone connected with the spring industry. For example, you may wish to address only company owners, spring engineers or shop floor personnel. If you are writing about methods or principles that may be hard to grasp, try to include examples or illustrations. Examples may use fictional names unless, of course, you are dealing with real people or events. If you are writing on a technical subject, please supply as much data as possible to substantiate your findings or claims. Use as many specifics as possible. Details make good articles better. Feel free to name names, including brand names. If you use a product and it works, say so; if it does you little good, say that. However, limit your evaluations to your own experience or that of the person you are quoting. Don't put in PR fluff promoting a specific product or service. And keep it balanced. If you use three types of coilers, don't mention just one. If you are unsure whether to include something, just call and ask. If a deadline is imminent, include the material and note your reservations in your cover letter. |
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Manuscripts must be typed, double-spaced. If possible, please include a version on CD-ROM (PC formatted) along with your hard copy. Save the computer file in text-only or Microsoft Word format. If in doubt, give us a call. You may save us hours of typing. You may also send your article via e-mail. Send all materials to Rita S. Kaufman, Springs Editor, SMI Business Corp., 2001 Midwest Rd., Suite 106 · Oak Brook, IL 60523-1335 USA · Fax: (630)495-8595 · e-mail: rita@smihq.org Most articles are five to 10 double-spaced manuscript pages (roughly 1,250 to 3,000 words). But we'll consider any length. Say what needs to be said, then quit. If an article is good, but very long, we may break it into several shorter ones for publication. Put a short working title and byline on the first page. Sending artwork: Whenever possible, submit some kind of visual materials to support your article. This includes photos, drawings, graphs, charts, tables, etc. Send computer graphics in TIFF or EPS format at a resolution of at least 300 dpi. Please do not place photos in your Word document because Word will automatically lower the resolution of the photos. Hard copies of drawings, charts, etc. should be originals (in black ink, if possible). If you send duplicates, they should be reproduction-quality. Photos may be either color or black and white. Prints or electronic files are OK. Please do not send negatives, slides or transparencies. All artwork is returned if requested. Include a biography. In addition to your manuscript, diskette and visual materials, don't forget to include a short biography. It should be two to four paragraphs discussing who you are, what company or organization you're with, and your background. Please include an address or phone number where readers may contact you. |
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You are submitting an article "on spec." This means we will review it and let you know if it's suitable for our purposes. In general, Springs publishes new work. For original work, we reserve first rights plus the right to reprint in our own publications. This includes the right to reprint photos and artwork as well as text. All secondary publishing rights revert to the author. However, we request that authors do not publish their articles in related industry publications until at least six months after they have appeared in Springs. We also request that the author put the following text at the end of the article: "Reprinted, with permission, from Springs, Issue xx Vol.x, No. x." We sometimes publish work that has appeared elsewhere, either in print or oral presentation. We must know of all such prior appearances in advance. Credit is given (in print) to the prior publication or presentation. Springs reserves the right to edit all manuscripts to better serve the needs of our readers: This includes editing for organization, readability, presentation and style as well as for spelling, grammar and punctuation. The editor works closely with the author, who is asked to review edited copy for factual accuracy prior to publication. Each author receives two free copies of the issue containing his published article. You may also be interested in purchasing customized reprints. (Please call for a free estimate.) |
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