Additional information for Broadcast Engineering articles
Jul 12, 2006 8:00 AM
Turnaround time
When an article arrives from an outside author, it is reviewed (usually within two weeks) to see if the manuscript is generally acceptable for publication. The editorial director will then notify you by e-mail of whether the material is acceptable, and if so, when it might be published. Please keep in mind that this date is only an estimate and is subject to change, depending on the editorial requirements of the magazine.
The length of time that can elapse between the date you submit an article for publication and when it appears in print can vary greatly, depending on the particular article. Because of the length of time required to produce Broadcast Engineering, the minimum turnaround time is about two months.
Once your article has been accepted and you’ve signed the author’s agreement, you probably will not be contacted again until production begins on the features. If circumstances make it necessary to delay an article’s estimated publication date, we will try to notify you. If you are interested in the status of a manuscript that you have submitted, feel free to call us.
Payment of author’s fees
Author fees are decided by the editorial director. The fees will be paid to the author of the article at the time the manuscript is accepted for publication. The editorial director must receive the signed author’s agreement form and invoice, complete with the author’s social security number, before payment can be issued. If more than one author is credited on the byline, the fee will be split evenly between the authors. Payments will only be issued to individuals. Payments cannot be issued for an article to a station, consulting firm or manufacturer.
At the option of the author, payment for an author’s fee may be donated to the Harold Ennis Scholarship Fund managed by the Society of Broadcast Engineers. If so requested, we will make payment directly to the scholarship fund in the name of the author.
Mechanical aspects of manuscripts
The manuscript must be typed, double-spaced, and only long enough to adequately cover the topic. The length of columns and departments ranges from 900 to 1350 words. The length of features ranges from 1200 to 3500 words. Longer articles would have to rate above average quality to be published. There are, likewise, no firm guidelines for inclusion of artwork or graphics. It is a good practice to include extra photos or technical art with the manuscript so the editorial director can pick and choose the ones that best fit the article and space available.
Once the manuscript has been accepted for publication, you will be required to sign a release form stating that the material is your own original work and that the magazine has full rights to use and edit it as necessary. If you wish to retain certain rights to the material, this point must be discussed ahead of time with the editorial director. A sample author’s agreement form is included in this package.
When material is taken from another printed source, permission from the copyright holder must be obtained in writing. This requirement applies not only to text passages but also to tables, photographs and technical art. Modifying a diagram slightly does not relieve you of the obligation to obtain permission for use of the material. Always contact the publisher of the material, rather than the author, for permission. Because of delays that may be experienced in obtaining permission for use of material, make the necessary contacts well in advance of the manuscript due date. All questions regarding ownership of text, photographs, tables and technical artwork must be resolved before submitting an article for consideration.
If necessary for completeness, compile a list of references for information contained in the manuscript. Include in the bibliography the title of the book or technical paper, author, publisher (including city and state), date published and pages (or chapter) referenced.
Questions? Contact Brad Dick, editorial director, at 913-967-1737 or e-mail him at brad.dick@penton.com.
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