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Outdoors Unlimited Submission Guidelines

General

All material submitted by OWAA members will be considered for publication. The decision to publish rests entirely with the executive director and editor. Opinions expressed are the authors’ and not necessarily those of OWAA, its officers, board of directors or staff.

Contributors (less OWAA employees) grant rights for OWAA to publish once in Outdoors Unlimited, both the print and online versions, including archives, and on the OWAA Web site.

Article Submissions

Electronic submissions are preferred; next preferred format is 3 1/2-inch disk (PC). Please use Microsoft Word, WordPerfect or ASCII format. If submitting hard copy (least preferred), please double space; handwritten submissions are not accepted.

Photographs

“Portfolio” Submissions

Submit 20 images on a CD-ROM, ZIP disk or color or black-and-white transparencies in a protective sleeve. Color or black-and-white prints are acceptable. Color images will be converted to black and white. Include captions and a brief biography. Specifications for digital images: 300 dpi; TIFF (for PC) or JPEG formats; 10 inches of image.

Mug Shots

Mugs are welcome for feature stories, craft pieces and member news. Either e-mail a digital photo or send a transparency or print. Specifications for digital mugs: 300 dpi; TIFF (for PC) or JPEG formats; 3 inches of image.

Articles

Features

Preferred length is 800 words or less. Longer articles are not encouraged. Articles may be edited and shortened without notification to the author at the discretion of the editorial staff. General focus of articles, other than those from committee members charged to contribute to OU, should be on craft improvement, news of activities affecting the outdoors or other news of general interest to members.

Craft Improvement

Headquarters endeavors to print at least three craft articles per month with the following targets: (1) writing/journalism, (2) photography, (3) marketing. Word limit: 500.

OWAA Legends

Do you know an OWAA legend who has significantly contributed to conservation and OWAA? Send story ideas to Glenn Titus, 638 Waterfront Rd., Troy, MT 59935; e-mail gtitus@kvis.net. Word limit: 800; photos encouraged.

Conservation Corner

Conservation-related articles and related briefs will be published in this space. Authors are encouraged to base stories on science and/or credible sources and include Web sites having additional information. Word limit: 800.

Section/Committee Contributions

Submissions accepted (with pre-determined word limits) as charged by the section or committee. In general, one OU page is reserved each month for each section/committee. Word limit: 800.

Miscellaneous Columns

“Financial Planning” is contributed by Ernest R. Dewey of Smith Barney; “Tax Advisor” is written by former IRS Investigator-Attorney Julian Block. OWAA conference content is compiled by OWAA's Conference Planner and either written or assigned by the Conference Program Committee.

Departments

Outdoor Market

Headquarters publishes job listings and publishers’ editorial needs relevant to outdoor communicators. Word limit: 100 words, including who, what, where, how much and detailed contact information. Listings also published on OWAA's Web site under "Jobs/Editorial Listings."

Bookshelf

Headquarters reviews members’ recently published books and videos. Include title, author, publisher, price and a brief write-up. Word limit: 100. Book/video cover photos welcome; for photo specifications, see “Mug shots,” above. A “Bookshelf” submission template is available on OWAA's Web site under "Promote Your Book."

Feedback (letters to the editor)

Members are encouraged to write about issues and topics. Only signed letters are accepted. The executive director will decide whether opinions are appropriate for OWAA debate or if the comments promote a personal cause; if the “cause” is unrelated to OWAA’s mission and potentially damaging to the membership, the letter might not be printed. Because of OWAA’s tax-exempt status, letters endorsing candidates for public office or otherwise directly addressing political campaigns cannot be published. Headquarters will not publish letters that are libelous in nature. Word limit: 350.

Ask the Editors

Do you have a question to ask OWAA’s panel of editors? Or are you a masthead editor who would like to respond to members’ questions? Please e-mail kmckalip@owaa.com.

Supporting Member News Tips

Supporting members are welcome to e-mail or snail-mail press releases. Headquarters categorizes and abbreviates each press release into two or three sentences, including contact information. When possible, readers are referred to supporting members’ Web sites to view the entire press release. Word limit: 50.

Supporting Member Spotlight

Usually, one supporting member is featured in each issue. Standard press releases will be abbreviated. Word limit: 350.

Briefly

Press releases will be considered for publication and may be edited and/or abbreviated, usually to 50-75 words. Member news (mug shots welcome) and other relevant announcements will be edited and/or abbreviated.

Calendar Items

Calendar items contain information on activities of interest to members and appear as space permits. Include contact information.

Miscellany

Deadline for Submissions

Usually the fifth of the month preceding the month of publication. For example, the June OU deadline is May 5.

Trademarks

Trademark names are used throughout OU. Rather than place a trademark symbol at every occurrence, OU uses the name only in an editorial fashion, with no intent of trademark infringement.

Payment

OWAA does not pay for material published in OU. Members contribute material for the benefit of the membership.

Return Policy

Text submissions and materials submitted for review will not be returned. Photographs and artwork are returned immediately after use; OWAA pays shipping. OWAA is not liable for photos/artwork lost or damaged in shipping. Members wanting photos/artwork returned insured or via special handling must inform the editor and pay insurance/special handling fees.

Commentaries

Commentaries must relate to outdoor communications or conservation issues rather than to individuals.

Reprint Policies

Permission to reprint from OU must be obtained from OWAA and the author or photographer; both must receive credit lines. A copy of any reprinted material must be sent to OWAA.

Subscriptions

OU is a member entitlement. Others wishing to subscribe must submit requests to the executive director; if approved, subscription cost is $125 per year.

Back Issues

$3 each plus $2 handling for up to five copies.