Here are a few pointers to follow if you'd like to write something for Clubbed. Nothing on this page is set in stone but if you want to do something different or have a special requirement please discuss it with the editor before spending a lot of time on something that might not be suitable.
What to Write
We welcome submissions to the magazine on any Amiga related topic, so please try your hand and submit and item. Before you start to write the piece it's a good idea to mention it to the editor in case someone else is already working on a similar item.
Text
The main text of your article can be in any of the follwing formats:
Plain ASCII text (this is prefered as everything has to be re-formatted in PageStream anyway)
Final Writer (up to version 5)
Wordworth (up to version 5)
Images
Illustrations to go with your submission are always welcome and help brighten the pages. Images can be in almost any format and in either colour or black and white. Bear in mind that they will be printed in black and white* at a fairly low resolution so the subject needs to be clear. If you'd like us to use particular captions please include them in the main text of your article noting the file name of the image each caption should go with.
*If the illustrations that go with your item would really benefit from colour we may be able to print them on the back cover, something else to discuss with the editor.
How Much to Write
In each issue of Clubbed we have a finite amount of space into which we must include a variety of content to appeal to our readers. This means that any piece you submit must fit into a reasonable amount of space. Here are a few guidelines to help you gauge how much to write:
Reviews of upgrades or small products 1 page
Full Reviews 2 pages
Full reviews of major products 3-4 pages
Features 2-4 pages
We find roughly the following number of words fit on a page allowing space for a few graphics or the odd box-out:
First page (with title etc.): XXX words
Following pages: XXX words
If you want to write a longer item maybe it could be split up into several parts. There are several things to remember if you decide this is what you want to do however, firstly as Clubbed is published quarterly each instalment should be complete in its self so readers aren't on the edge of their seats or waiting for vital information for three months. Secondly you must be committed to writing all the parts so the series doesn't peter out, in fact we would probably ask for several instalments in advance.
Reviews
If you are writing a review please include as much of the following information as possible with your text:
The full name of the product.
The version.
The purchase price
The dealer it was purchased from (please include name, address, phone number and internet addresses if available)
The distributor (please include name, address, phone number and internet addresses if available)
A brief description of the machine you used it on.
The system requirements (Type of Amiga, RAM, hard disk etc.)
Any useful contacts such as web sites relating to the product.
We then need the details for the score box:
If you feel it's relevant:
A short list of good points for the pros section
A short list of bad points for the cons sections
Your rating using our fishy scoring system:
Caviar - The best of the best, only the most minor niggles.
Tasty - Very good but with room for improvements
Fish Fingers - Average, probably not the best of it's class or scope for major inmprovements.
Smelly - Below average but with some redeeming features.
Rotten - Dreadful, avoid at all costs.
Getting Your Submission To Us
You can send your submission to us on Amiga or PC formatted double or high-density floppy disk. SEAL members can hand it to Robert Williams at any SEAL meeting anyone else can post it to:
Clubbed
26 Wincoat Drive
Benfleet
Essex
SS7 5AH
United Kingdom
If you're on the internet you can EMail your submission to us at:
clubbed@williams.demon.co.uk
Please note that at this time we cannot accept Zip disks or similar removable media (we don't have a drive), we can of course handle CDs if you have a CD recorder.
Editing
If we decide to publish your article we may need to edit it, this is usually due to lack of space. If we want to make major changes we will always contact you first to get your approval or ask you to make the changes yourself.
Ideas?
If you've got an idea for any type of article you'd like to see in Clubbed but don't feel you could write it yourself then still let us know, if we like the idea we'll attempt to get someone to write it.
Contact Details
Please supply us with your contact details so we can get in touch if we have any questions about your submission, an EMail address or phone number is the easiest method. If you'd like your details printed with your article so that readers can get in touch with you directly please make it clear what details you want printed, we won't print your details unless you specifically ask us to.
Any Questions?
Please EMail or write to us and we'll do our best to answer any other questions you may have.
