UTM Writer's Guidelines
So you want to write for us huh? Bless your heart.
Freelancing for Unsigned The Magazine and UnsignedTheMagazine.Com
- We want to cover new artists who might be of interest to our readers, so we are always looking for ideas. We also deal with the business aspects of the entertainment industry that may be of benefit to our readers.
- If you have story ideas, please feel free to drop us a note, preferably by email, to the editor in chief.
- UTM has a strong, unique voice in the independent entertainment community. Please do not simultaneously submit the same material to another publication.
What we want
Behind-the-scenes stories, relevant interviews, intimate stories about the people who work out of sight, the places in which they work, intelligent reviews...etc.
Below are the areas in which we accept submissions, the guidelines, and the editor to contact. Please pay close attention to these details—a properly drafted and addressed query stands a much greater chance of being accepted!
Our regular print columns
- Sonic Bloom: Music Interviews/Spotlights (online/print)
Freelance submissions accepted. Word count: 350 to 400 words. Contact: ric@unsignedthemagazine.com
- The Heat: CD/Book/DVD/Film/Product Reviews
Freelance submissions accepted. Word count: 50-150 words. Contact: reviews@unsignedthemagazine.com
- Fashion in U: Designer Interviews/News/Spotlights
Freelance submissions accepted. Word count: approximately 250-300 words. Contact: mut@unsignedthemagazine.com
- Art Part: Artist Interviews/Project Spotlights
Freelance submissions accepted. Word count: 350-500 words. Contact: mut@unsignedthemagazine.com
- Unreel: Film
No freelance submissions accepted.
- And Stuff:
No freelance submissions accepted.
- U Think?:
Professional editorial submissions accepted. Contact: mut@unsignedthemagazine.com
- Features & Interviews:
Freelance submissions accepted. Word count: varies (usually 1000-1500 words.) Please submit detailed query. Contact: mut@unsignedthemagazine.com
Our online columns
- Artist Features
Freelance submissions accepted. Contact: mut@unsignedthemagazine.com
- The Heat: Film, Book, Show and CD reviews
Freelance submissions accepted. Contact: reviews@unsignedthemagazine.com
- Unreel: Fashion
Freelance submissions accepted. Contact: mut@unsignedthemagazine.com
- Unreel: Film
Freelance submissions accepted. Contact: mut@unsignedthemagazine.com
- Unreel: Art
Freelance submissions accepted. Contact: mut@unsignedthemagazine.com
- 4 You 2 Know
Freelance submissions accepted. Contact: mut@unsignedthemagazine.com
GUIDELINES & STYLE NOTES
IMPORTANT NOTE: Solicitation of record labels, promoters, artists, and publicists on behalf of Unsigned The Magazine must be done directly through this office.
If you want to pursue a story and need to use the name of our publication for access, please authorize it with UTM staff directly.
UTM retains the right to also publish everything that appears in our magazine on the UnsignedTheMagazine.com website and other sites that use our content.
Personal Style
Develop a voice. Freak it and finesse it. Entertain and inform. Don’t be afraid to have an opinion, but be sure you make it clear that it is your own opinion. Speaking in your own unique, authoritative voice will connect you strongly with readers and convey your information more effectively.
Fact Checking
If you are unsure of a fact (date, name, spelling, title, circumstance, etc.), please advise us AT THE BEGINNING OF THE ARTICLE under a note heading. We can then try to qualify what you have written. If it is an isolated fact that would be hard to prove, avoid using it at all.
If an interviewee makes some outrageous statements in an interview, please supply us with a dubbed copy of the tape from which you transcribed your interview. This will protect us, and we can, in turn, stand by you in the event of any future problems. Always use a recorder during interviews.
We reserve the right to request interview tapes and notes at any time.
STYLE NOTES
Quotations
Quote marks are used to indicate song titles, chapters in a book, article titles and conversation. Punctuation goes INSIDE the quotation marks (e.g., the band played “Erotic City ,” “Pelican” and “Forever.”)
Bolds
Bold album titles, names of television shows, book and magazine titles, etc. The punctuation at the end of the italicized item should be in regular type, unless part of the phrase.
Numbers
Write out any number ten and under. For any number above ten, use numerals, but write out a number that begins a sentence. Try not to begin a sentence with a number.
Decades
Do not write them out. Also, it’s 1960s. Not 1960’s. That’s the first time you mention it in an article. After that, it’s ‘60s. The exception is when the decade is at the start of a sentence, in which case it should be written out.
Percentage
The word “percent” is always spelled out, not given as “%.”
State Abbreviations
In a sentence, don’t abbreviate the name of a state unless you are giving an address. Use postal abbreviations only with the whole ZIP number. Otherwise, write the entire name of the state out in full.
Songs
Try to write out the complete, accurate title of a song. In an article, a song title may be abbreviated after it’s been written out in full. It is common usage to credit a songwriter rather than a given performer when referring to a song. It’s not Janet Jackson ’s “Pleasure Principle,” even though her rendition of the song may be the best-known one. The song was written by JImmy Jam and Terry Lewis, so if it’s anyone’s, it’s theirs.
Explicit Language
Try to avoid using vulgar language, either in your writing or in quotations from the subjects of your articles. Use discretion.
*If mentioning an alleged drug problem of a musician being written about, make sure that it is relevant and provable before you mention it. The laws regarding libel are complicated, and we can’t afford to be involved in a lawsuit.
PHOTOGRAPHER GUIDELINES
We encourage photographers to provide us with low-res samples of their work, either by email or on disc. If we’re interested in publishing any of your photos, we will contact you to request a high-res image and negotiate fees.
We look forward to working with you in the future. Please contact us with any ideas, comments or suggestions.
