Guidelines for writers
General
Lively, fun and smart—MIZZOU magazine maintains the emotional link between alumni and their alma mater. The magazine captures MU's rigorous academic and lively social character by telling the stories of its faculty, students and alumni. MIZZOU is a mix of Midwestern stability and a modern research university's proclivity for change. Through reporting on topics like family, health and gender, MIZZOU examines issues facing people around the corner and across the globe. MIZZOU magazine is pleasure reading for MU's educated alumni.
Writing
Although we have no hard and fast rules regarding writing style, keep in mind that MIZZOU fills some leisure time of people who are educated in many different fields. So, write with directness, clarity and brevity. We strive to fill the magazine with stories that are warm, human, compelling and interesting.
Quotes
Use only interesting quotes. If you can say it better, do.
Research
MIZZOU's contributors write about research that our lay readers can understand. We make these topics accessible by showing relevance to readers' lives or by showing relevance to some familiar problem.
Data
When appropriate, support your points with data. Use only as much as you need, and interpret the numbers in a down-to-earth way.
Examples
Use plenty of good examples. The single greatest failing of writers submitting work to MIZZOU is the lack of interesting and illustrative examples to support story ideas.
National
Some of our stories contain a national perspective. That is, we frame problems, accomplishments, etc., nationally as appropriate.
George Orwell's “Politics and the English Language” provides some useful guidelines for strong writing:
- Never use a metaphor, simile, or other figure of speech that you are used to seeing in print.
- Never use a long word where a short one will do.
- If it is possible to cut a word, always cut it.
- Never use the passive where you can use the active.
- Never use a foreign phrase, a scientific word, or jargon word if you can think of an every-day English equivalent.
Familiarize yourself with the following points.
- Alumni: Be sure to find out when an alumnus graduated, the degree received, and from which college: Joan Smith, BJ '36.
- University identification: First reference University of Missouri-Columbia. Thereafter use either MU, Mizzou or University (with capital U).
- Contributors may request MU's Editorial Style manual for usage specific to the University.
Accuracy check
Errors of fact are inexcusable. After first edit, writers will ask sources to read all stories for accuracy of content. Points of writing style are at the writers' and editors' discretion.
Editing
All stories are subject to editing. Follow The Associated Press Stylebook for style and Webster's New World College Dictionary for spellings and definitions not covered in the stylebook.
Demographics
This quarterly magazine's distribution to 176,465 households nationwide consists of Mizzou Alumni Association members as well as all other alumni. MIZZOU's readers are 57 percent men and 43 percent women ranging in age from recent graduates to retirees. Thirty-six percent have household incomes between $50,000 and $100,000, and 35 percent earn more than $100,000.
Manuscript Format
Meet the deadline with double-spaced hard copy. After the story is edited, return the revision on disk or via e-mail. The electronic version should be saved so that it can be opened in Microsoft Word for Macintosh. Writers will get a chance to review and proofread their work after editing and before the magazine is printed.
Deadlines
It is crucial that writers meet deadlines. If problems arise, notify the editors immediately — as soon as possible before the deadline. Features usually have deadlines of one to three months.
Length
Discuss length with editors on a story by story basis. Features generally run either 600-800 words or 1,500-2,000 words. Around the Columns, 250-300; alumni minifeatures, 250-300.
Terms
Byline given for features and alumni minifeatures. MIZZOU buys all North American rights unless negotiated otherwise.
Money
Fees negotiated on individual basis. Payment on acceptance of finished manuscript. Review and proofreading duties remain, however, even if payment is already made. All stories require a completed contract soon after the assignment is given. MIZZOU pays phone expenses with documentation. All other expenses are not covered unless agreed to in advance. No kill fee unless negotiated in advance.