Writers' Guidelines - How to send

Length of articles:
Maximum word count for a typical article is 200 words (1/4 page) plus a photo. No full-page spreads or articles at this time; space being scarce and at a premium. All writings must be approved by the editor. Articles submitted on speculation  must be limited to 200 words.

Deadline:
The deadline is the 1st of the month, one month in advance of publication. For example: July 1 is the deadline for the August A issue.

Exclusivity:
We prefer to publish articles that have not run in other publications (unless the publication is not widely available to our readers.) Please advise if your article has been published before submitting.

Subjects:
Articles are read and thoroughly edited before publication, and are judged as to general content, quality of writing, timeliness, appropriateness to our focus, and other priorities. Advertisers who write articles are not guaranteed publication.

Columns:
We rarely accept regular columns. The Valley Breeze is blessed with knowledgeable, seasoned writers of outstanding credentials. We may possibly accept a one-time editorial piece, if kept to a minimum 400 words.

Photos:
Please provide a photo to accompany your article if possible. If your article pertains to a specific person, ask them for a publicity photo.

Payment:
While we do not pay for articles, we will run your contact information (phone number, email address) and a small head shot with your bio line at the end of the article. Hopefully, this will lead to freelance jobs for you.

Method of Submission:
E-mail is the preferred method of submission. Title of article and word count MUST appear in the subject line! When emailing an article, to give us flexibility, please send your Word document as an attachment AND cut and paste it into the body of your email message. CDs or floppy disks accepted, but only if e-mail is not an option. No typewritten or handwritten submissions will be accepted.

1) On completion of your article, first save it, then copy it to Clipboard (in your word processing program).
2) Close your word processing program.
3) Open a new email message
4) Place your cursor in the message box
5) Right click and select paste
6) Your article will appear in the message window in its entirety
7) Add your contact information, something brief about yourself for the biography line at the end of the article, Then click on send, and send it to:
editor@thevalleybreeze.com

Deadly deeds:
Copy typed in all caps is not acceptable. Type your article and headlines in caps and lower case.

Self-promotional articles are not acceptable. If you provide a service, your article should contain general information helpful and educational to our readers. The fact that you provide the service will be mentioned in the bio line.

Plagiarism:
If you are basing your comments on someone else's work, please give them credit. We are informal in style, but we do want to make sure we credit people for their original work.

General advice:
General advice: An “interviewee” may ask to see your story before you submit it to us. This is against our editorial process, and please tell them so. We would not be interviewing them if we didn't feel positively about their work.

Let us know, in your email, what your interests are. If you have special expertise in some area, tell us that, too. We will try to match you with assignments you'll enjoy.

Thank you so much for your interest in The Valley Breeze. If we can be of any assistance to you, please email us (rather than calling) at
editor@thevalleybreeze.com