<-:: AV SPECIALIST ::-> film, audio, video, broadcast, multimedia, production, management, post, display.

Submission Guidlines

If you’d like to submit an article for consideration, here are some basic guidelines to help smooth the process. First, you can just send the article text and graphics to us by e-mail. In the subject line place, Article submission. We’ll try to get back to you within a week. Second, you can contact the editorial team and pitch the idea to them. Contacting the editor before you start is the better way. Here’s why it’s better to contact the editorial team. At the beginning of each year AV Specialist publish an editorial calendar which is posted on our website. Priority is given to article ideas that meet the topics scheduled on the Editorial Calendar. Structure your article around a needed topic and you’re half way to becoming a published author. Freelance writers are often commissioned to research and write scheduled feature articles so if you’re a freelance writer with specific expertise that relates to one of our featured topics please get in touch with us. Optional articles are published on a space-available basis. That’s why it’s best to tailor your submission to a topic already scheduled. And, it’s important to talk to the editor before you start writing a feature article. Otherwise, you may spend a lot of time preparing a piece that’s already filled. In addition, editorial content and imagery needs to take social, moral and political realities into account. For example, articles and photographs published in the Middle East edition of the magazine need to conform to Islamic values so an article on the technology used to produce ‘flesh-flicks’ would not be appropriate. Unlike other publications, AV Specialist does not allow the promotion of companies or products in feature-length articles. If you’re a vendor or manufacturer, your fluff pitch will not appear in the magazine. We’re fiercely protective of our editorial independence and over the last decade we’ve won a number of awards for publishing and journalistic excellence which is why readers rate us at the top of their “must read” list. However, there are three editorial vehicles that do allow the discussion (but not the promotion of) companies and products
Applied Technology	User Reviews	Product News

Applied Technology articles are mini-white papers. The goal is to explain new technology to readers who do not necessarily have a technical background. The technical staff at a manufacturer typically writes these articles. They describe the need/ problem and then the specific technical solution the company has created or invented and how it works. Again, this must be a technical presentation not a sales piece. Applied Technology articles run about 1000 words and should be supported by photographs or illustrations that enhance the written communication. Images should be supplied in high-resolution suitable for printing. User Reviews are similar to the Applied Technology articles except the writer will be a user of the product. These writers are typically the engineer, producer or operator of the device to be discussed. The writer must describe the facility’s need (why they needed the solution), the product or technology selected and then how it works for them. Length is about 1000 words and an appropriate photograph showing the product being used should accompany the article. Again, the imagery and text need to work together to provide a cohesive message to the reader. Because theses articles are not scheduled on the editorial calendar, they run on a ‘first-come-first-served basis and it’s usually not possible to guarantee a publication date. Typical turnaround time is three months. New Products are carried each issue. Manufacturers and vendors typically supply them. Required materials for consideration include a press release will full contact information. Photos are also required as high-res J-PEG files. It’s not hard to get your article published in AV Specialist. Just discuss your idea with the editor, follow these guidelines and meet the deadlines given. Then, you too can be “a published author.”