Miniature Donkey Talk Freelance Writer Guidelines

[angelahoy]

Miniature Donkey Talk doesn't have their guidelines online so I'm featuring them here to accompany their market listing.

Types of editorial material accepted by Miniature Donkey Talk for
publication:

1. Breeder profiles – either of yourself or another breeder. The full
address and/or telephone number of the breeder will not appear in the
article as this would constitute advertising.
2. Coverage of non-show events such as fairs, donkey gatherings, holiday
events, etc. We do not pay for coverage of an event that you were
involved in organizing.
3. Detailed or specific instructional or training material. We’re always
interested in people’s training methods.
4. Relevant, informative equine health pieces. We much prefer they deal
specifically with donkeys, however, we will consider articles
specifically geared towards horses. If at all possible, substitute the
word ‘horse’ for donkey where appropriate. We reserve the right to edit,
change, delete or add to health articles as we deem appropriate. Please
be very careful in the accuracy of advice or treatment and review the
material with a veterinarian.
5. Farm management articles.
6. We no longer publish fictional stories on donkeys.

Types of editorial material NOT ACCEPTED by Miniature Donkey Talk for
payment and/or publication:

1. Any article that has previously been published in any other donkey,
mule, mule and donkey or exotic animal magazine.
2. Show/sale/meeting coverage.
3. We do not publish names of, or otherwise promote, (or degrade) other
donkey, mule, or exotic magazines or organizations, except rescue
organizations. No phone numbers.
4. Book reviews.
5. Letters to the Editor
6. Anything that would be considered advertising.
7. Word-for-word articles written by other writers, appearing on the
internet, with or without their permission. We want originality, not
someone else’s copyrighted work.
8. Fiction

All manuscripts will be reviewed for the appropriateness of publication
in our magazine.
We reserve the right to edit, change, delete or add to articles as we
deem appropriate.

How should a query be submitted?

The demands of publishing a magazine do not allow editors time to accept
telephone queries. Story proposals can be mailed, faxed or e-mailed.
Please keep in mind MDT assumes no responsibility for the care or return
of unsolicited materials.

Minimum and Maximum length of articles.

The minimum length article we will accept for payment is 700 words.
Maximum length 4000 words.

How should a manuscript be submitted?

Finished manuscripts, typed and single or double-spaced, can either be
submitted as a Microsoft Word file on a disk or e-mailed to
minidonk@qis.net. We do not accept hand-written material. A
self-addressed, stamped envelope must be submitted for materials to be
returned.

We do not guarantee that an article will appear in a particular issue.
We will run the article in an issue we deem appropriate. Sometimes we
have season-oriented issues, i.e. spring foaling issue, Christmas issue,
etc.

What guidelines exist for photographs?

We do not pay extra for photographs or artwork however, both will
greatly add to the chance that your work will be accepted for
publication. All submitted 35m photos should be clear, relevant and of
the highest quality. No negatives. Captions, including identification of
all donkeys and people pictured, are required and model releases, the
photographer's name and other pertinent information must accompany an
image. Photos may also be emailed.

If a story is accepted, what publication rights does MDT purchase?

When a story is purchased by MDT, the freelance correspondent is selling
the following: (1) exclusive first-time periodical rights to the work,
meaning MDT is buying the right to print a work before it appears
anywhere else, (2) the one-time right to reprint the purchased work
anytime in the future for 25%-50% of the price originally paid. Under
all our agreements with freelance writers and photographers, the work we
purchase may not be submitted to other publications until after it
appears in MDT or all payment is forfeited. This includes magazines,
newspapers, on-line services, book publishers, broadcasters and any
other forms of media in existence now or in the future.

If my work is accepted and purchased, how and when will I be paid?

Payment for all freelance work is made upon publication of the
material(s). Freelance correspondents will receive a copy of the
magazine in which their work appears, or will receive tear sheets of
their work.

Pay Rate:

Payment greatly varies depending on the type of article and research
involved. We pay by the word. Approximate payment is as follows:

700 words to 1,000 words (approx. one page): from $30 to $40
1,001 words to 1,500 words (approx. 1-1/2 pages): from $40 to $75
1,501 words to 2300 words (approx. 2-3 pages): from $75 to $110
2301 words to 4000 words $110 - ?

Payment for reprint rights (articles already published elsewhere) are
negotiated individually.

Miniature Donkey Talk Magazine (MDT)
Bonnie Gross, Editor
1338 Hughes Shop Rd.
Westminster, Md 21158-2911

email: minidonk - at - qis.net