Stick to the point

Select a topic that is broad enough in scope to interest the greatest number of readers. Also, keep it narrow enough to make the subject matter manageable within the space provided. For example, an article on the implementation of sub carrier transmissions for personal paging applications would be a better topic than a study of the SCA industry — including applicable FCC rules on sub carrier use, sub carrier equipment, interfacing SCA hardware to an FM transmitter and personal paging applications. The all-inclusive article is too broad in scope. The narrower discussion of personal paging services allows the author to go into greater detail on the subject matter. An outline will help you stay within the bounds of the topic. It will also avoid subject tangents, which can serve to confuse rather than inform the reader.

Fill a need

The best article in the world is of little value if no one reads it. We have an editorial schedule that we are committed to meeting, and topics outside the pre-planned agenda are inserted on a space-available basis. Therefore, contact us in writing before proceeding with the development of a manuscript. Consult the editor to determine whether the proposed subject matter is of interest, and if so, what timetable for publication might be anticipated. This feedback will greatly aid you in determining whether to spend time and effort preparing the manuscript.

Look at the editorial calendar found at the end of this material for possible topics. Keep in mind that many topics have already been assigned.

BE has established a list of “Consultants and Regular Authors,” which is sent in “FYI Memos” that detail editorial needs for future issues. The “Call for Manuscripts” memos describe briefly the editorial material required and the timetable expected for submission of a manuscript. Interested individuals may then contact the BE editorial staff to discuss filling a particular need.

Any user or consultant author that has been published in a Primedia Business magazine (BE, Video Systems, Sound and Video Contractor,) may request to be placed on the “Consultants and Regular Authors” list. Because we seek to gain as much editorial input from end-users as possible, personnel from equipment manufacturers may not be placed on the “Consultants and Regular Authors” list. Editorial contributions from manufacturers that meet the BE editorial guidelines previously outlined are welcomed.

Check the facts

A technical writer can commit no greater sin than providing incorrect data. Thoroughly check all information included in an engineering paper for accuracy before sending it to the magazine. Give special attention to mathematical formulas, which can be particularly troublesome.

We have found that the best way to check the accuracy of a manuscript is to submit it to several engineers knowledgeable in the field for review. A second or third opinion can greatly help you clear up parts of the manuscript that may not be accurate, fair or easily understood by the reader. An author can often become too involved in a subject and miss valid points that should be covered. A second or third reading will prevent such problems.

It is important that any questions about the completeness or accuracy of a manuscript be worked out before the article reaches the magazine editor. If, by the determination of the editor, major changes are required in your manuscript, you will be consulted and the proposed changes will be detailed. This review and revision process should not be considered criticism of your work. The idea of the procedure is to generate an article that is a credit to the magazine and to the author.

Artwork considerations

The planning and preparation of artwork for a technical article is a consideration that is often overlooked. When preparing a technical manuscript, consider what artwork (photographs, charts, tables or schematics) could be included to make the presentation easier to understand and more interesting to read.

Sidebars

Story information that you wish to include in an article that is not directly a part of the subject matter should be separated into a “sidebar.” Sidebars can cover information that, if added to the main story, would take the reader away from the central point of the article. For example, the topic of sub carrier transmissions for personal paging applications (mentioned earlier) could have a sidebar on sub carrier application options currently available to broadcasters or present common-carrier licensing procedures.

Biographical data

If you are submitting an article to Broadcast Engineering for the first time, include a short note on your background in the industry. If you have had articles published in other periodicals, say so.

Abstract

Each feature article should be accompanied by an informal abstract of not more than one page. The abstract should tell the editor why the topic is important to readers and briefly outline the information contained in the proposed article. The abstract should also identify to the editor the target audience of the article.

Turnaround time

When an article arrives from an outside author, it is reviewed (usually within two weeks) to see if the manuscript is generally acceptable for publication. We will then notify you by e-mail of whether we can use the material, and if so, when it might be published. Please keep in mind that this date is only an estimate and is subject to change, depending on the editorial requirements of the magazine.

The length of time that can elapse between the date you submit an article for publication and when it appears in print can vary greatly, depending on the particular article. Because of the length of time required to produce a magazine such as Broadcast Engineering, the minimum turnaround time is about two months.

Once your article has been accepted and you’ve signed the author’s agreement, you probably will not be contacted again until production begins on the features. If circumstances make it necessary to delay an article’s estimated publication date, we will try to notify you. If you are interested in the status of a manuscript that you have submitted, feel free to call us.

Payment of author’s fees

Authors fees are decided by the editor Brad Dick. The author’s fees will be paid to the author of the article at the time the manuscript is accepted for publication. The signed author’s agreement form and invoice, complete with the author’s social security number, must be received by BE before payment can be issued. If more than one author is credited on the byline, the fee will be split evenly between the authors. Payments will only be issued to individuals. We cannot issue payment for an article to a station, consulting firm or manufacturer.

At the option of the author, payment for an author’s fee may be donated to the Harold Ennis Scholarship Fund managed by the Society of Broadcast Engineers. If so requested, we will make payment directly to the scholarship fund in the name of the author.

The manuscript must be typed, double-spaced, and only long enough to adequately cover the topic. Length of columns/departments ranges from 900 to 1350 words. Length of features ranges from 1200 to 3500 words. Longer articles would have to rate above average quality to be published. There are, likewise, no firm guidelines for inclusion of artwork or graphics. It is a good practice to include extra photos or technical art with the manuscript so the editor can pick and choose the ones that best fit the article and space available.

Once the manuscript has been accepted for publication, you will be required to sign a release form stating that the material is your own original work and that the magazine has full rights to use and edit it as necessary. If you wish to retain certain rights to the material, this point must be discussed ahead of time with the editor. A sample author’s agreement form is included in this package.

When material is taken from another printed source, permission from the copyright holder must be obtained in writing. This requirement applies not only to text passages but also to tables, photographs and technical art. Modifying a diagram slightly does not relieve you of the obligation to obtain permission for use of the material. Always contact the publisher of the material, rather than the author, for permission. Because of delays that may be experienced in obtaining permission for use of material, make the necessary contacts well in advance of the manuscript due date. All questions regarding ownership of text, photographs, tables and technical artwork must be resolved before submitting an article for consideration.

If necessary for completeness, compile a list of references for information contained in the manuscript. Include in the bibliography the title of the book or technical paper, author, publisher (including city and state), date published and pages (or chapter) referenced.

Checklist for manuscript mechanical requirements:

• Manuscripts must be typed and double-spaced
• The manuscript should be submitted on a 3.5-inch PC-compatible disk or CD. Include a printout of the manuscript with the disk.

All feature articles should include the following:

• A short and snappy suggested title on the first page.

Example: Cable/Telco/Broadcasting: Convergence or Confusion?

• One sentence that describes what the article is about.

Example: Where will broadcasters be when the dust settles?

• A brief summary (approximately three sentences long) that tells the financial impact of the topic covered in the article . This summary should provide just enough information to let the reader know if the article provides information that they would like to learn more about.
• Example: The techno-envy that has telecommunications giants poised to pick each others pockets will undoubtedly affect broadcasters’ futures. Yet the changes ahead may be simply turns in the broadcasters road, not the end of it. TV networks and stations exclusively possess key assets that re more valuable than any distribution system. Properly leveraging these strengths in the multichannel environment ahead may bring broadcasters unexpected new prosperity.
• Include subheadlines (not more than five words) at least every 1-1/2 pages.