Website and Publication Submission Guidelines
Last updated August 18, 2007
LISTEN Media wants you!
Whether you are a new writer who wants to see your work "in print" or an established writer who believes in our mission and would like to add your two cents, we're looking for quality writers to add to our growing online content here at LISTEN Media. Check out our categories, read over the submission guidelines below, and send us your submissions on topics relating to spiritual pursuits!
We look forward to hearing from YOU!
LISTEN Media, Inc. (LMI) accepts for consideration content submissions (articles, artwork, poetry, photographs, audio files, video files, music downloads or clips, book excerpts, and reviews of books, music and products) that are, in some meaningful way, related to spirituality and are consistent with our mission and vision statement. We ask that all contributors respect the views of others, no matter what their point of view. We will not accept contributions that attempt to proselytize or convert others to a particular faith.
We do not automatically accept all submissions for publication in our periodical, If ... Journal (IFJ), or inclusion on our site. If you are not sure we will be interested, please submit an article proposal or audio or video sample to us first; we will let you know if we are interested. Article proposals should include a target word count, an overview of the subject matter, expected conclusions for the article and a target audience identification. Audio and video proposals should include a total run time, an overview of the subject being covered and target audience identification. Music submissions should include a total run time and a written copy of all lyrics (if applicable). The editorial staff reserves the right to refuse to publish any submission, without comment, that it determines, in its sole discretion, to be inappropriate or unacceptable.
Written Submissions
LMI seeks to maintain a professional standard of publication, both on our website and in IFJ. Please do your own spell and grammar checking prior to submitting written content. We use the Associated Press Stylebook as our main guide. Please be sure to include all your sources. Book references should at least have the title, author's full name, copyright and publisher. Internet references should list the name of the site as well as the URL. Quotes should be noted and referenced.
We make every effort to edit only for spelling, punctuation and grammar. However, from time to time we will edit for content if the intent of the article is unclear or, on a rare occasion, if it is inappropriate. In these instances, we will ask for clarification or a rework from the author. If the author requests or requires final approval of edited copy, we will accommodate this with an extra week allowed; submission deadlines are available in each issue of IFJ, as well as on the website. Articles requiring more than a reasonable amount of editing to bring them up to publication standard will be rejected.
Issues of IFJ are themed, and we always welcome submissions written to a particular issue's theme. Other topics we seek in submissions include interfaith subjects relating to spiritual practice or beliefs, or items of interest to those in various spiritual traditions who practice intelligent spirituality. We welcome beginner, intermediate and advanced levels of submissions in most pathways of spirituality. We do accept opinion pieces and letters to the editor. We do not print articles that take specific stances in political party, candidate or legislation. Articles that skate too close to these positions may also be rejected.
Word counts for departmental submissions should be between 1500-2500 words; feature articles should be between 2500-4500 words; if they are too long for one issue, we sometimes split them into two parts and print in separate issues. If you wish to submit a multiple-part article, please submit all parts at once; we will not print any part of a multi-issue submission until we have received and read all its parts. If you wish to propose a long-term column or series, please contact us with proposal information first. We will sometimes consider printing longer articles all in one issue; if you have a proposal for such an article, please contact us before submitting. We do occasionally accept articles shorter than 1500 words if the subject matter is of interest, and is well-written enough to allow sufficient substance.
Artwork and Photography
We may, on rare occasion, consider images which include artistic nudity. However, please contact us before submitting such imagery to discuss propriety.
Audio and Video Files
Submission guidelines for audio and video submissions will be added soon. Please check back.
Submission Format
We can accept copy via e-mail at submissions@ifjournal.org in most any text format. We use Macintosh computers, and our production software includes MS Word, Adobe InDesign CS, Adobe Photoshop CS and Adobe Acrobat for Mac. If your written contribution requires specific fonts, please include them with your submission. Our body fonts include Gill Sans, Times, and Arial (all for Mac).
Digitally submitted graphic images should be at least 200 dpi. We can accept almost any graphic format, though pdf, eps, pict, jpg or tif are preferable; do not embed graphics in MS Word documents.
We prefer digital submissions. However, we will accept hard-copy submissions. Articles, letters to the editor, poetry and reviews should be typed or cleanly hand-written and easy to read. Please do not fold hard-copy graphic submissions! If you submit a hard copy article or artwork and wish to have your submission returned, you must include a SASE with adequate postage.
We do not advise sending your original and/or only copy of your article, poem, photo or artwork, and will not be responsible for loss of or damage to the file if you do so.
Copyright and Other Issues
Printed submissions are the property of the author and/or artist; all submissions must be the original work of the submitter. Contributors assume full responsibility for compliance with copyright laws. If you are unfamiliar with U.S. copyright laws, please go to http://www.copyright.gov and check to ensure your compliance. We will not accept contributions that violate copyright law.
We prefer first print privilege, and will not accept known simultaneous submissions. Although we will consider pre-published works, we require the permission of the original author/artist and acknowledgment of/from the previous publisher (so that we can give proper first print credits).
We do accept submissions from inmates; however, please do not submit articles written on what life is like in prison. Our largest readership by far is the free world population. We want to run articles that are focused on the interests of our larger readership. Inmates who send originals and wish to have them returned, please ensure acceptability of our returning your originals; we will not accept responsibility for your facility's disposal of said documents.
If you have questions regarding these guidelines, please contact us.
In
Spiritual
Tolerance
Enlightenment and
Non-violence