NPN Editorial Calendar.pdf
Editorial Guidelines
Thank you for your interest in contributing to National Petroleum News. These guidelines are primarily for bylined feature articles and Industry Voices (guest columns on various topics). Please note, very rarely will NPN include features from an outside source. However, NPN does encourage members of the industry to submit Industry Voices.
Pre-approval
Writers who would like to publish in National Petroleum News should telephone or e-mail the editor with their query. After approval has been given via phone or e-mail, familiarize yourself with recent issues of the magazine. If you don't receive the publication, an archive of back issues is included on the National Petroleum News Web site, 12.9.210.65.
Content
Style
Writing style for a feature is the typical professional, business-to-business format. The benefit(s) of reading your article must be clearly stated within the first two or three paragraphs. Define all acronyms. Attribute all quotes; include a person's name, title and company. Writing style for an Industry Voice should be focused on one topic and educational for the readers of NPN.
Because many articles or Industry Voices are submitted by vendors and public relations firms, it is important to note that it must be kept as non-commercial as possible. Concentrate on trying to teach NPN readers about the topic, rather than selling the service or product. Let users speak for you to make your article more eloquent and meaningful.
Headlines
Each headline should have a noun, verb and object, and clearly state the practical benefit of reading the article.
Captions
All photographs and charts should have narrative (rather than label) captions of 15 to 25 words that explain how the image or chart relates to the article. Do not repeat portions of the text in captions. The captions should provide new information.
Bylines and author biographies
All authors of features and columns are not paid, but their names are published in a byline. An author's professional affiliation is noted in a one- or two-sentence biography at the end of the article, next to the Industry Voice in NPN's own unique format (contact NPN editors for specifics). A brief biography must accompany each manuscript. In the biography, include the author's name, title, company (or organization), and company's (or organization's) full address.
Other editorial points
Your text will be edited for grammar, organization, style and consistency. We have our own style points, but your default reference should be The Associated Press Stylebook.
Submissions
Text
Send us your article via e-mail in Microsoft Word or text format. The article should be single-spaced, with a flush-left margin. Features should be between 1,200 and 1,800 words in length, and the Industry Voices should be between 800 and 1,000. All submissions are subject to editing and approval by the editor.
Please do not mail or fax articles.
Graphics
Interesting, dynamic, color graphics increase an article's ability to capture the reader's attention, so include them with a manuscript whenever possible. Send graphics that illustrate the focus and content of the article, show activity and/or include people. If you are submitting an Industry Voice, we will need a head shot photo of the author.
We prefer digital images in either TIFF or JPEG format. Minimum size is 3" x 5" at no less than 300 dpi resolution. Due to the large size of graphic files, we will accept them on CDs, or we can provide directions to our FTP site for file transfer.
Finally, if you have some ideas for illustrations but aren't sure how to execute them, please contact us to discuss the concepts. Our team of skilled graphic artists can work with you to develop high-quality artwork appropriate to your text.
Unbylined contributions
We strive to keep our readers abreast of important industry news. Although we have our own active news department and receive numerous press releases, we also accept first-hand reports and industry news from outside sources. These items should not exceed 500 words and should include a contact name and phone number associated with the subject organization so we can pursue further information if necessary. These items will not be paid for or bylined. For more information on contributing news or conference reports to our publications, contact the editor.
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