Perhaps you’ve just started on a project to implement a brilliant idea that’s never been done on SPCR before. Or perhaps you have some interesting and relevant observation that requires more than a post in the forum. Maybe you have a hankering to be a published author on Silent PC Review. If so, read on!
Thank you for your interest in submitting an article for Silent PC Review. In keeping with our principles, we accept article submissions from just about anyone who can add desirable content to our pages.
We are interested in seeing well-written, how-to articles, “how I did it” stories, tips and hints, instructions, informational discussion or pertinent "think" pieces and other articles that will help our audience gain knowledge that will help them succeed with their computer silencing efforts.
By submitting material, you acknowledge that you are legally entitled to distribute the work and to allow it to be redistributed. We do not usually pay for articles, and do not accept articles that are primarily promotional. However, you may place a brief resource box and contact information at the end of your article. You agree to let us use the article not only on Silent PC Review, but any place content from Silent PC Review is used. You retain the copyright in your work and are free to reuse it in any way you want.
We have some simple rules:
1) Please submit an article proposal to the editor before starting to write: [email protected]. Your proposal should state the objective of your piece, and a brief summary of its contents. Since most reader-submitted articles fall into the Do-It-Yourself category, it may help for you to peruse some of the articles in that section.
2) Most article do require some accompanying graphics; commonly, digital photos. In general, we keep photo sizes to no larger than 600 pixel width, jpeg optimized for web at 60% quality. If you’re unsure about this, it’s best to send us original high resolution photos, ideally 1280×1024 or larger. Try to use natural lighting (outdoors in shade or overcast sky is good) and a neutral background.
3) Formatting:
- The ideal submission is an HTML document using the simplest HTML formatting, like this page, with photos properly linked within. The HTML and image files should be put into a compressed folder no bigger than ~10mb for emailing. (If you want to check the HTML code of any SPCR article, just view the source code following the first incidence of "KonaBody". Most of the article text will follow this code term.)
- Alternatively, you can submit a Word document, with no fancy formatting or fonts. Times New Roman 12pt. font, or whatever the default is on your computer, is fine. Do not indent or use bullets on your lists. Do not use HTML tags in your Word doc, except for embedded links. We can take care of the HTML.
4) Try to avoid using lots of slang or jargon so that everyone can get the full benefit of your brilliant ideas and words. While SPCR is an English language site, remember that it is not the native tongue for some 40% of our audience.
5) Please include a short (one small paragraph) bio with your piece, and an email address to which you would like to have correspondence sent. Remember that you may be subject to spam if your email address is exposed on any web site; you can try using tricks like mikec at silentpcreview dot com to fool at least some of the spambots. If you have a website, you may include that as well.
6) Always link to sources. If you make a statement that isn’t common knowledge, try to back it up with a link or quote. Please embed the links like this.
7) Please title your submission. We may decide to change it at publication, but at least we’ll have something to start with.
8) Please let us know whether your piece is an original submission. We prefer them to be original, but we will reprint exceptional pieces. SPCR does not pay for most submitted articles. If you expect payment, please let us know at the time you make the submission so that we can come to an agreement.
9) If your submission is rejected, please don’t stop sending. Acceptance depends on a variety of factors, including timeliness, style, and any number of editorial requirements of the moment that may not necessarily reflect on your writing ability.
10) Send us a "what’s up?" email if you have submitted a piece and haven’t heard back from us in a reasonable amount of time. Things can get put on the back burner at busy times… or maybe it just slipped our minds. Hey, we’re human, too.
* * *
