Guidelines for Contributing Writers of Cigar City Online
Thank you for your interest in writing for Cigar City Online. We welcome all writers (both published and unpublished) with interesting story ideas. Our articles profile Tampa in the early days and how it evolved from a sleepy little village to the “Cigar City.”
Feature Articles
Feature articles usually run between 750 to 1000. We have a distinct graphic style and design aesthetic, using many old black and white or sepia photographs to enhance our articles. We seek lively, well-researched, and well-written articles that match our style. Of special interest to us are articles that discuss events within the context of their times and articles that show connections between the past and the present of Tampa.
Captions and Imagery
All graphics (images, drawings, maps, photographs, etc.) should have descriptive captions of 15-25 words in complete sentences that explain the relationship to the article. Photo credits must be fully explained. The person or party responsible for object(s) not open to public photography such as special museum items must sign a release. In most instances authors will be responsible for identifying and providing illustrative material, procuring permissions if necessary, or, at a minimum, offering suggestions to the editor regarding suitable imagery. Cigar City Online will use the utmost care in protecting and preserving original photographs, slides and color separations, but will not accept responsibility for accidental loss or damage. Original photographs scanned and emailed to us must be scanned at 72 dpi resolution at 100%.
Footnotes and Bibliography
Authors should include footnotes, if applicable, and a bibliography, but few if any of these citations will be included in the published version. Proper research and documentation of sources and resources is critical and required. Editor reserves the right to verify any and all sources.
Bylines and author biographies
A two-line biography of the author is requested. Please include the author’s name, title, or organization(s), and website/e-mail address.
Graphics
Please provide a minimum of 3-5 original photographs scanned at 72dpi at 100% for feature articles along with the manuscript. Do NOT embed them in a word processing document. Please attach the photographs to an email. If you are unable to provide photographs to support your manuscript the editor will decide on photographs to support the story line.
We prefer you to submit your photographs in digital form. They must be scanned at 72 dpi at 100% JPEG files.
Editing
Submitted work may receive written critique and editorial suggestions. All work will be edited to some degree, to match our editorial format. No one need submit articles if they are not willing to have their work edited. If rewrites are needed, editor reserves the right to return to author, if time permits. A strict timeline will be given to the author within which to return revised article to the editor of Cigar City Online. The editor will correct grammar, punctuation and spelling errors. Although headlines for stories are appreciated, the editor will decide on the headline/story title.
Payment for Articles
Cigar City Online is currently not paying for stories. We will link the story to your bio and contact information.
Original Material
Cigar City Online gives priority to submitted articles that have not yet been published. We will consider articles that have been or will be published elsewhere, on a case-by-case basis. Please bring these situations to this to our attention.
Copyright
Cigar City Online retains copyright to the version of material, which appears in Cigar City publications (e.g. editorial material appearing in Cigar City Online may not be copied and republished elsewhere in the same form without permission from Cigar City Online.
Word Document Specs
12-pt Times or Goudy font and single-spaced. Single space after each period. (DO NOT DOUBLE SPACE BETWEEN SENTENCES). Paragraph style: Drop down 1 line space between paragraphs. Any foreign names or words must be italicized and the proper accent used. All submitted articles should be set up in the standard manuscript format (title, name, address, phone number, and approximate word count on title page, and every subsequent page fully numbered. All articles must be accompanied with a synopsis of at least 1-2 paragraphs.
Please include your writing credentials – both writing experience and expertise in the subject being proposed-and writing samples.
We will confirm receipt of materials. All submissions are subject to approval and editing for grammar, style, and consistency. We make no guarantee that submissions will be published.
Note: submitted stories/articles will not be returned.
WE DO NOT ACCEPT HAND WRITTEN ARTICLES
Contact
For more information contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . NO PHONE CALLS PLEASE. ALL SUBMISSIONS MUST BE EMAILED.
