Signature Media Guidelines for Writers

WORKS ACCEPTED

Non-fiction essays: All non-fiction must capture the variety and diversity of women's lives and interests. Surprise and charm us! Our tagline is "smart, sexy, sassy" - make sure your submission reflects at least one of these descriptors, if not all three. Preference given to work by metro Detroit writers, but all quality work will be considered.

General interest, humor, personal experience and features on topics relating to women and women's interests (no tear-stained journal entries, "how-to" articles or man-bashing, please). Queries with clips and/or writing samples are not recommended. Finished pieces are preferred for our evaluation. Articles intended for the print version of Strut should be no longer than 700 words. Please submit previously unpublished articles only.

Fiction/Poetry: We do not publish fiction or poetry.

Original Art: We are looking for original paintings, illustrations (color or black & white), cartoons and fine art photography (color or black & white) that evoke a sense of place, attitude and fun. Preference given to work by metro Detroit artists, but all quality work considered.

Cover Art: We are looking for original, unpublished fine art, representational of a woman or women. Preference given to metro Detroit area artists, but all work will be considered.

SUBMISSION FORMAT

Make sure you include your name, address, phone number and email address on the first page of your manuscript, or on a cover letter attached to your original artwork. Please enclose a brief (2-3 sentences) bio with your materials so that we will have it on hand if we publish your work.

ELECTRONIC SUBMISSIONS:

Use the online form or send via email to talktous@strutmag.com All essay/non-fiction submissions MUST be pasted into your email AND attached to the email as a Microsoft Word document, or if using a program other than Microsoft Word, save your file as a .txt (Text) or .rtf (Rich Text Format) attachment. We are unable to read any other attachments.

Photography/artwork format: Please attach a low-res (72 dpi) jpeg file to the online form, along with any other information about the work, or send to: talktous@strutmag.com.

We will not accept links to works on another site, or any html files. Please adhere to this format.

HARD-COPY SUBMISSIONS:

Send materials to:

Strut Submissions, Linda Lacina
Signature Media
615 W. Lafayette Blvd.
Detroit, MI 48226

If you would like a response, enclose a self-addressed stamped envelope (SASE).

RIGHTS

Strut purchases First Rights (print and Internet) for essays, photography and artwork, plus the right to archive work on Strut's website. Strut retains unlimited rights to use work for marketing purposes (both internal and external). Work may not appear in any other print or Internet publication until 45 days after publication in Strut magazine or on Strut's website. After 45 days, rights revert to the artist or author.

PAYMENT

All payment for materials published in Strut is upon acceptance.

• Essays/nonfiction: $100-$300


• Photography, paintings, cartoons, illustrations: $50-$150


• Cover art: Compensation for cover art is exposure in print and on our website, plus a generous bio that includes information on where the artist's work is available for purchase.

NO PHONE CALLS, PLEASE!

You will be notified by phone or email if your work has been selected for publication. Each submission is considered on spec. If we express an interest in a proposed article, we cannot guarantee publication. We reserve the right to edit essays/non-fiction for length and content.

Additional tips for submissions:

1. Only submit your very best unpublished work, in the format specified above. Keeping within Strut's word limit is important!


2. Please spell check & proof your work.


3. Send us what you'd like to see or read - something engaging, surprising, endearing.


4. Absolutely no man bashing.