• Please send information about events of interest to area women by the 15th of the month prior, and we will include the event in our calenda, space permitting.
• We also welcome announcements and press releases for our Tidbits.
• You can send this information by mail (TW, 3065 Mansfield Lane, Va. Beach, VA 23457); fax (757-204-4699) or email (twcalendar@hotmail.com)
TO SUBMIT ARTICLES
• Send article ideas or spec articles to the editor (tidewomen@hotmail.com)
• Also you might want to read our Writers' Guidelines (see below).
WRITERS' GUIDELINES
1. Cover stories generally run 1500-1800 words in length. Columns and short articles are usually 500-700 words.
2. Since our magazine tries to provide local news and information of interest to women, try to include:
• information relative to this area (ie. where to obtain services, more information, etc.).
• comments, remarks, and direct quotes from people in our community. (Depending on your topic, I may be able to help you with this.)
3. Subject matter should relate to women’s issues and be informative. Most of our readers are between ages 30 and 55 with some younger and some older. Certain articles may need to be geared more toward a particular age group, but generally try to appeal to as broad a range of women as possible.
4. An informal, familiar tone is preferable to a more formal style. In addition, try to avoid the following:
• writing something that sounds like the essays we wrote in school;
• long paragraphs (keep them short, ie. 2-4 sentences long);
• extremely difficult vocabulary or complicated sentence structure.
A conversational tone works best. Gain your reader’s interest by using real-life situations, people, or examples to support what you’re saying. Your lead is VERY important so make sure your story has a strong beginning. Your lead should grab the reader's attention and hold it!
5. If you are interested in writing for Tidewater Women you may either send in your completed manuscript for consideration or phone me first to discuss your article idea.
6. The current editorial calendar for issue themes is:
2008 Editorial Calendar
January - Be smart.
EDUCATION
Education Guide Private School Guide Women in Business
February - Be beautiful.
RELATIONSHIPS
Beauty Guide; Valentine's Gift Guide
March - Be well.
WELLNESS
Well-Being Guide
Summer Fun Guide
April - Be happy.
FAMILY
Spring Retirement Guide
Summer Fun Guide
May - Be free. TRAVEL
Mother's Day Gift Guide
Summer Fun Guide
June - Be fit.
FITNESS
Healthy Body Guide
Summer Fun Guide
July - Be bold.
BUSINESS
Women in Business
August - Be ambitious.
CAREERS
Career & Learning Guide
Private School Guide
September - Be healthy.
HEALTH
Women’s Health Guide
October - Be artsy.
ARTS & CULTURE
Arts Guide
Fall Retirement Guide
November - Be comfortable.
HOME & FAMILY
Welcome Home Guide
December - Be blessed.
CELEBRATIONS
Holiday Gift Guide
7. The best way to submit articles is via e-mail (tidewomen@hotmail.com). Send them within your e-mail message or as a .doc attachment. You can also submit articles on disk, preferably formatted for the Mac. Always send hard copy, too, by mail or by fax.
Peggy Sijswerda, Editor
Email us at tidewomen@hotmail.com
Phone: 757-204-4688 • Fax: 757-204-4699 • 3065 Mansfield Lane • Va. Beach, VA 23457