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The Meowletter Logo
Brought to you by The Purrrfect Gift


A Zine dedicated to the world of Independent Artists, Crafters, Entrepeneurs, Writers, Entertainers, & Thinkers.

August 11, 2006
Vol. 1, Iss. 1


 
 
 
Submission Guidelines ...  
 
 

***Obligatory plea:  Please read all submission guidelines very carefully; all submissions that do not follow these general guidelines will either be returned unread or discarded.  Thank you.

"The Meowletter, brought to you by The Purrrfect Gift, is currently seeking writing and artistic submissions for its online Zine.  The Zine focuses on the worlds of independent arts, crafts, entrepreneurship, writing, entertaining and thinking.  All topics that fit within these categories are a purrrfect fit for this Zine!  If you are unsure if your piece or idea will fit in with the Zine, please query first by sending an e-mail to the_purrrfect_gift@yahoo.com.  Currently, The Meowletter is not able to pay its contributors; however, the exposure for contributors and their online stores/websites will be overabundant!

All contributors (one-time or continuing) will be asked to join The Meowletter’s online contributor group hosted at Yahoo! Groups (the exceptions being those who contribute questions for the experts, letters to the editor, and/or contest prizes).  If you do not want to join, please do not submit.  Once a member of the group, a folder will be created for you to upload all of your future submissions.  You will also be asked to fill out a brief profile form (which includes a personal BIO and a Store Profile) and to upload your personal and shop images.

Please note: You needn't have a background or experience in writing to contribute or submit a piece. We are not necessarily interested in only seasoned writers (although it helps). We encourage all to inquire, whether you are a veteran writer or a newcomer! We want pieces written by the independent artists, writers, entertainers, thinkers, and buisness owners out there so that your words directly connect with our readers. We want our writers to also be our audience and vice versa. Pieces should come directly from the mouths of those who know the independent world the best...YOU!

 

 
 Submission Categories ...
 
   

 
 
 

Feature Articles

  • These pieces should focus on everything from personal reflection/prose to “how to” (there is really room for growth here).  The reader is interested in some facet of independent creativity or business.  Examples of topics include (but are not limited to): “How to Start an Etsy Shop”, “Finding the Best Deals on eBay”, “10 Tips to Better Knitting”, “Cooking without the Fat”, “A Lesson in Hand Sewing”, “Decoupage Basics”,  “Creating Memorable Characters”, “Common Writing Mistakes”, “Copyright Laws Explained”, etc.
  • Pieces should be a minimum of 800 words in length and a maximum of 5,000 words.  If the piece is shorter or longer, please query first – sometimes exceptions are made.
    -Please type the piece up in either Word or another text editor and save it as a .doc, .rtf, or .txt file format only.  These are the only three types of file formats accepted.  Virus detection will be used and any file containing a virus will be deleted.
  • All article submissions should be double spaced and typed in any standard font.
  • Type your name, store/venue name, e-mail address, and word count information on the top, upper right-hand corner of the first page.
  • If you are already a member of The Meowletter’s Yahoo! Group for contributors, you can submit your piece at the group’s page by posting it in your personal file and alerting the editor via the group’s message board.
  • If you are not a member of the contributor’s group or are awaiting membership approval, please submit all articles, via e-mail only, to the_purrrfect_gift@yahoo.com with the words “Feature Article Submission” in the subject line.

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Columns

  • These can revolve around most any subject matter within the scope of the Zine.  If you would like to be a columnist, please query first.  Columnist will write one column piece for every monthly issue and, if you decide to become a columnist you understand that it is not a one-time gig but an ongoing column (think Carrie in “Sex and the City” but not as glamorous).  Columns can be about a wide variety of topics, but should have some commonality linking them together.  They should avoid popular clichés (such as “diaries” or “tales from the city” type pieces), unless they are extremely innovative and will blow readers away.  Also, “how-to” and review pieces are discouraged (unless the entire column will either be about “how-to’s” or reviews every month).
  • If you would like to be a columnist, please submit an example of your work (can be anything you have written or would like to be published at the Zine).
  • Columns should be a minimum of 1,000 words in length and a maximum of 6,000 words.  If the piece is shorter or longer, please query first – sometimes exceptions are made.
  • Please type the piece up in either Word or another text editor and save it as a .doc, .rtf, or .txt file format only.  These are the only three types of file formats accepted.  Virus detection will be used and any file containing a virus will be deleted.
  • All column submissions should be double spaced and typed in any standard font.
  • Type your name, store/venue name, e-mail address, and word count information on the top, upper right-hand corner of the first page.
  • If you are already a member of The Meowletter’s Yahoo! Group for contributors, you can submit your piece at the group’s page by posting it in your personal file and alerting the editor via the group’s message board.
  • If you are not a member of the contributor’s group or are awaiting membership approval, please submit all columns and column queries, via e-mail only, to the_purrrfect_gift@yahoo.com with the words “Column Submission” in the subject line.

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Reviews

  • We’re looking for reviews of fresh and independent forces to be reckoned with.  From established Indies to newcomers galore, we want to know who is “hot” and who is “not”!  The list here is no-holds-barred and can include everything from independent movies/music to reviews on your favorite shops, venues, designers, artists, collaborations, websites, restaurants, small businesses, books, magazines, online publications, zines, cultural phenomenon, and the list goes on and on…
    -Reviews should be centered on the topic being discussed (be it a person, place, thing, or idea) and should attempt to show the reader a non-biased (as best as non-biasness can be) look at the topic.  This is not to say that you cannot have a negative or positive opinion of the item.  We just want “fair” reviews – not slam or praise fests.  List the pros AND cons, the highlights AND the lows, the praises AND the drawbacks, the wins AND the losses…you get the idea.
  • The only “no-no” here is reviews that seem more like interviews…those are acceptable, but belong in another category!
  • Pieces should be a minimum of 475 words in length and a maximum of 1,500 words.  If the piece is shorter or longer, please query first – sometimes exceptions are made.
  • Please type the piece up in either Word or another text editor and save it as a .doc, .rtf, or .txt file format only.  These are the only three types of file formats accepted.  Virus detection will be used and any file containing a virus will be deleted.
  • All review submissions should be double spaced and typed in any standard font.
  • Type your name, store/venue name, e-mail address, and word count information on the top, upper right-hand corner of the first page.
  • If you are already a member of The Meowletter’s Yahoo! Group for contributors, you can submit your piece at the group’s page by posting it in your personal file and alerting the editor via the group’s message board.
  • If you are not a member of the contributor’s group or are awaiting membership approval, please submit all reviews or review queries, via e-mail only, to the_purrrfect_gift@yahoo.com with the words “Review Submission” in the subject line.

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Interviews

  • Taking reviewing one step further by actually bringing the thoughts and insights of the subject matter to the reader.  Interviews can be in person, over the phone, over the Internet, or via a series of answered questions.  The key here is to get the subject to answer questions that the reader will be curious to have answered.
  • Please query first before you do an interview.  Send over the name of the person/business you would like to interview (including any pertinent information you have on them), why you want to interview them, what questions you will ask, and how you will interview them.  Only interviews that are approved first will be accepted.
  • Pieces should be a minimum of 1,000 words in length and a maximum of 5,000 words.  If the piece is shorter or longer, please query first – sometimes exceptions are made.
  • Please type the piece up in either Word or another text editor and save it as a .doc, .rtf, or .txt file format only.  These are the only three types of file formats accepted.  Virus detection will be used and any file containing a virus will be deleted.
  • All article submissions should be spaced in proper interview format (double spaced between dialogues) and typed in any standard font.
  • The speaker of the question and answer should be indicated before each line of dialogue.
  • Type your name, store/venue name, e-mail address, and word count information on the top, upper right-hand corner of the first page.
  • If you are already a member of The Meowletter’s Yahoo! Group for contributors, you can submit your piece at the group’s page by posting it in your personal file and alerting the editor via the group’s message board.
  • If you are not a member of the contributor’s group or are awaiting membership approval, please submit all interviews or interview queries, via e-mail only, to the_purrrfect_gift@yahoo.com with the words “Interview Submission” in the subject line.

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Questions

  • Are you someone who just has a question that you have been dying to have answered?  Have you searched everywhere and haven’t found the answer or been getting way too many different opinions on message boards and forums and need a definitive answer?  Well, submit your question for review and our experts will do their best to answer it for you!
  • If that isn’t incentive enough for you, all those whose questions are chosen will go into a quarterly drawing to win fabulous prizes!!!
  • Please type your question into the body of an e-mail and send along with your name, store/venue name, and e-mail address (real names will not be used by request only).
  • Send all questions via e-mail only, to the_purrrfect_gift@yahoo.com with the words “Question for The Experts” in the subject line.

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Expert Advice

  • Are you knowledgeable in a certain field or maybe many fields?  Know everything there is to know about painting, decoupage, creative writing, basket weaving, law, mixed media design, or any other topic we would cover in the pages of our Zine?  Have a desire to genuinely want to help others just like you?  Good at research?  Then why not become an expert?  We will need more than one!
  • Experts will be given a question asked by an outside source and then be given the proper time to research, discuss and answer it! 
  • Answers should be a minimum of 100 words in length and a maximum of 1,000 words.  If the piece is shorter or longer, please query first – sometimes exceptions are made.
  • Please type the piece up in either Word or another text editor and save it as a .doc, .rtf, or .txt file format only.  These are the only three types of file formats accepted.  Virus detection will be used and any file containing a virus will be deleted.
  • All article submissions should be double spaced and typed in any standard font.
  • Type your name, store/venue name, e-mail address, and word count information on the top, upper right-hand corner of the first page.
  • Only members of The Meowletter’s Yahoo! Group for contributors will be asked to give their expert advice on various subject matter – you must be a member first before you can be an expert.  Please query first and tell us (in 500 words or less) why you would be an ideal expert for our group!
  • Current contributors can submit their answers at the group’s page by posting it in their personal file and alerting the editor via the group’s message board.

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Treasure Chest

  • These pieces should tell tales of found treasures from around the world!  Okay, so you’re no Indiana Jones or Lara Croft, but treasures aren’t just located in ancient ruins, forbidden temples, and The British Museum.  A treasure can be anything really.  Maybe you found a rare item at a thrift shop and discovered it was worth hundreds?  Or, perhaps you went on Antiques Roadshow and found out that you had a priceless piece on your hands…or a dud?  Maybe your best friend made you a one-of-a-kind scarf that you will never part with?  Inheritances, garage sales, attic finds, handmade art, and even experiences are just some of the treasures we are interested in hearing about.  Your piece should sum up the treasure, the experience, and what it means to you (that is, why it’s a “treasure” to you).  So, the sky is the limit!  A treasure can be different things to different people…just tell us what it is to you and why!
  • Pieces should be a minimum of 800 words in length and a maximum of 2,500 words.  If the piece is shorter or longer, please query first – sometimes exceptions are made.
  • Please type the piece up in either Word or another text editor and save it as a .doc, .rtf, or .txt file format only.  These are the only three types of file formats accepted.  Virus detection will be used and any file containing a virus will be deleted.
  • All article submissions should be double spaced and typed in any standard font.
  • Type your name, store/venue name, e-mail address, and word count information on the top, upper right-hand corner of the first page.
  • If you are already a member of The Meowletter’s Yahoo! Group for contributors, you can submit your piece at the group’s page by posting it in your personal file and alerting the editor via the group’s message board.
  • If you are not a member of the contributor’s group or are awaiting membership approval, please submit all treasure chest stories, via e-mail only, to the_purrrfect_gift@yahoo.com with the words “Treasure Chest Submission” in the subject line.

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Personal Essays/Stories

  • These can fit into a number of categories (and it will be up to the editor’s discretion as to where in the Zine they will fit in).  This is basically a catch all for material that you are not sure of where it may “fit”.  Tell us your story.  Compel us to want to read and/or learn more. 
  • Pieces should be a minimum of 800 words in length and a maximum of 5,000 words.  If the piece is shorter or longer, please query first – sometimes exceptions are made.
  • Please type the piece up in either Word or another text editor and save it as a .doc, .rtf, or .txt file format only.  These are the only three types of file formats accepted.  Virus detection will be used and any file containing a virus will be deleted.
  • All article submissions should be double spaced and typed in any standard font.
  • Type your name, store/venue name, e-mail address, and word count information on the top, upper right-hand corner of the first page.
  • If you are already a member of The Meowletter’s Yahoo! Group for contributors, you can submit your piece at the group’s page by posting it in your personal file and alerting the editor via the group’s message board.
  • If you are not a member of the contributor’s group or are awaiting membership approval, please submit all personal essays/stories or miscellaneuous pieces, via e-mail only, to the_purrrfect_gift@yahoo.com with the words “Personal Essay/Story Submission” in the subject line.

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Editors

  • There is room for a few more editors to help out with each issue.  Editors will also act as co-moderators of the Yahoo! Group for contributors and must play an active role in the creation, implementation, advertising, and design of the Zine.  You need not have a background in writing, copywriting, editing, publication, html, or graphic design – just a willingness to learn.  Not all editors will need to learn everything stated above.  Mostly it entails: moderation of the group, reviewing potential submission pieces, proofreading, corresponding with contributors, evaluating pieces, editing pieces (getting them ready for publication on the site), working with sponsors and affiliates, some slight marketing, and other miscellaneous duties that are required to get this puppy off and sailing! 
  • Please query first and tell us why you want to be an editor, what you can contribute as an editor, and include some biographical information about yourself.
  • If you are already a member of The Meowletter’s Yahoo! Group for contributors, you can post a message at the board indicating your desire to be an editor.
  • If you are not a member of the contributor’s group or are awaiting membership approval, please submit your request, via e-mail only, to the_purrrfect_gift@yahoo.com with the words “Editor Query” in the subject line.

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Art

  • At times, the Zine will need digital, graphic, or photographic art to illustrate its different pieces.  If you have something you think would be a fit for our site, please query with it first.
  • Images should be a minimum of 200 DPI and be either in GIF, JPEG or PSD file formats.  They will later be re-sized to fit the Zine.
  • If you are already a member of The Meowletter’s Yahoo! Group for contributors, you can submit your art at the group’s page by posting it in your personal file and alerting the editor via the group’s message board.
  • If you are not a member of the contributor’s group or are awaiting membership approval, please submit all art, via e-mail only, to the_purrrfect_gift@yahoo.com with the words “Art Submission” in the subject line.

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Indy Sound Clips & Videos

  • If you are an independent (self-representing) musician, filmmaker, or actor/actress, you can submit your short film clips (or links to them) for us to include on our site along with a short description of the piece and a little bit about the making, distribution, and creation of it.
  • Clips should be in standard formats.
  • Pieces should be a minimum of 800 words in length and a maximum of 1,000 words.  If the piece is shorter or longer, please query first – sometimes exceptions are made.
  • Please type the piece up in either Word or another text editor and save it as a .doc, .rtf, or .txt file format only.  These are the only three types of file formats accepted.  Virus detection will be used and any file containing a virus will be deleted.
  • All submissions should be double spaced and typed in any standard font.
  • Type your name, store/venue name, e-mail address, and word count information on the top, upper right-hand corner of the first page.
  • If you are already a member of The Meowletter’s Yahoo! Group for contributors, you can submit your piece at the group’s page by posting it in your personal file and alerting the editor via the group’s message board.
  • If you are not a member of the contributor’s group or are awaiting membership approval, please submit all pieces (or links to them), via e-mail only, to the_purrrfect_gift@yahoo.com with the words “Music/Video Submission” in the subject line.

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Sponsor Prizes

  • Interested in getting the word out about your store or venue?  Why not sponsor one of our fabulous contests?  Each month we will present the readers with a plethora of winning opportunities and will thusly need kind individuals to donate prizes for each event!  This is a good way to advertise, spread word of mouth, and get your name out there!  Not only will you get top billing on the homepage (with your very own image link) but you can send along whatever other promo items along with your prize donation!  Plus, artists and shops who donate will get first priority when it comes to picking our next “Spot Light On…” featured artists/shops and/or reviews/interviews – even more ways to advertise! 
  • Please query first with the type of prize you would like to donate, a little bit about you and your shop/venue, how long it will take you to ship the item(s) our way, and what kinds of contests you envision your prize being part of.
  • If you are already a member of The Meowletter’s Yahoo! Group for contributors, you can submit your request by posting it at the group’s message board.
  • If you are not a member of the contributor’s group or are awaiting membership approval, please submit all requests, via e-mail only, to the_purrrfect_gift@yahoo.com with the words “Sponsor Prizes” in the subject line

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Contest Entries

  • Each month, the Zine will offer its readers a plethora of opportunities to partake in various contests and challenges.  Please see the site for official rules and submission information.

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Judges

  • Only members of the Yahoo! Group for contributors will be invited to judge certain contests and challenges.   Please query for more information.

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