Inside Bluegrass
Newsletter contributor guidelines

Please write Bob Waltz, editor of Inside Bluegrass, for more information on being published. You may write directly to the editor at waltzmn@skypoint.com.

The complete Inside Bluegrass style book is available in Adobe Acrobat format: stylebook.pdf

Deadlines
The basic deadline for Inside Bluegrass is the fifth of the month preceding publication (that is, January 5 for the February issue, etc.). All items, including Coming Up listings, must be received by then. However, cover stories must be received by the first of the month preceding publication (e.g. January 1 for February). The exceptions are the January, March, and December issues. The deadline for January is December 3; March is February 3; the deadline for December is November 3.

Story Length
Cover stories: Maximum of four magazine pages. A cover story this long should include at least two photographs or illustrations, and so should not exceed three thousand words. The preferred length for a cover story is two pages with two illustrations, about 1250 words.

Feature stories: Maximum of two pages, about 1250 words. At least one photo or graphic is required for a story over one page long. A feature story will usually be about a band, but may sometimes be about a particular event or venue.

Reviews: One page, 500 words.

Tablatures: Maximum of one page.

Letters to the Editor: The MBOTMA by-laws require that all letters "contrary [to Board decisions]" be published in the magazine. In practice, all letters received are published (assuming they are in good taste). However, the author of any letter more than one page long may asked to shorten the letter or rewrite it as feature story.

Formatting
Submissions will be accepted on paper, on disk, or via electronic mail. Electronic mail is the preferred format. The editor can convert most word processing documents, including Microsoft Word and WordPerfect. Please check with editor Bob Waltz if you are not certain about your format.

Authorship and Attributions of Articles
Since Inside Bluegrass depends on material submitted by readers, materials in the publication may not represent the opinions of the magazine, the editor, MBOTMA, or its Board of Directors. All material submitted, therefore, should list an author's name. If you do not wish to have your name printed on a story, confer with the editor; pseudonyms may be allowed.