Submissions
Handfastings Magazine, a quarterly publication dedicated to ceremonies, rites, rituals and celebrations of love, is calling for submissions from writers, photographers, artists and designers to be a part of our magazine and growing community. To learn more about how to get involved, please read thoroughly the guidelines below. We look forward to hearing from you!
GUIDELINES FOR SUBMISSION
The readers of Handfastings Magazine are people who identify with unmatched individuality and often follow an off-the-beaten-path in many aspects of their lives, including spirituality. They often identify positively with the term "Goddess," whether or not they consider themselves Pagan. Our readers are mostly (but not limited to) women, ages 25-45. They are single, engaged or not, or married. Our readers are mostly based in the U.S., but we have a strong presence in the U.K. as well. Our readership includes brides, grooms, event planners, wedding officiants, High Priestesses and other ritualists of a variety of faiths or non-faiths. The common denominator of our readership lay in their desire to express themselves or help their clients express themselves in distinctive ways, true to their spirit and passions.
The majority of every issue is created from the contributions of our readers, so your creativity and willingness to share is vital to Handfastings Magazine 's existence! We welcome material from people of all races, religions, ages, sexual orientations, and socio-economic backgrounds. Our editorial staff is English-speaking only, so we ask that written contributions and letters to us be submitted in English, but we encourage submissions from non-Westerners and people for whom English may be a second language. We also encourage contributions from people of color. Handfastings Magazine offers the following guidelines to help you in submitting your work to us.
Subject Matter
Handfastings Magazine focuses primarily on ceremonies, rites, rituals and celebrations of love. Subject matter of submissions may include marriage ceremonies such as weddings and handfastings which are nature-inspired, Goddess-inspired, Pagan-friendly, interfaith-friendly or uniquely themed (sample wedding themes: renaissance, fairy, gothic, sci-fi, etc.). We accept non-fiction articles, photographs and graphic artwork (drawings, painting, prints, etc.) suitable for publishing in a magazine format and related to the ritualistic or spiritual aspect of the ceremony as well as unique or offbeat celebrations. We do not accept fiction, screenplays, long narrative poems, erotica, or press releases/advertorial.
It goes without saying that Handfastings Magazine is especially interested in the handfasting ritual, but we do not limit ourselves; therefore, we encourage submissions which highlight unique family/ancestral traditions that are represented in the rituals and ceremonies surrounding the wedding/handfasting or other unique celebrations.
In addition, we also seek submissions focusing on rituals and acts of love, such as engagement stories, baby naming ceremonies, distinctive wedding lore pertaining to the submitter’s ancestry or traditions (i.e., beyond the conventional “something old, something new” custom), and more. The possibilities are endless, and we welcome all stories pertaining to the above mentioned subject matter.
Handfastings Magazine is dedicated to helping brides and grooms with unique sensibilities express their spiritual and creative selves in a way that respects their own unique traditions, practices, customs and beliefs as well as respecting others and all creatures of Earth.
We encourage people of all paths to send writings and artwork, but our focus is on material which expresses an Earth-centered spirituality and/or interfaith unions. Please don't limit yourself because you aren't a "professional" writer or artist - most of our published material is from previously unpublished writers.
Written Submissions
All written submissions should be the original work of the author. We prefer receiving submissions via email sent to shira@handfastings.org or on computer disk accompanied by a double-spaced paper manuscript. (Please don't just send a disk - sometimes compatibility problems prevent us from reading disks which are submitted to us, and without a manuscript, we won't be able to evaluate your submission!) We are Windows-based and prefer Word files attached to your email. Disks sent to us will not be returned unless you send an SASE with adequate postage with the submission. Please do not send us your only copy of your manuscript; accidents can happen and material sent to us is occasionally lost or damaged.
Articles should be between 800 and 5000 words in length, and written manuscripts should contain the author's name, pen name (if applicable), address, phone number and email on each page. Please include a short (one-two sentence) bio with your submission. It is important to us that we not only credit you but also allow you to promote your work as compensation for publishing your article. Don’t be shy!
We are aware that you have worked hard on your writing; it is personal and special to you and contains your unique voice. Nonetheless, we often find it necessary to edit for length, clarity and grammar, sometimes at the last minute before publication. Therefore, we CANNOT guarantee that your article will appear precisely as you submitted it. If you do not want your material edited in any way, please do not submit your writing to us. (Also, please inform us of deliberate uses of non-traditional spelling so the tone of your work will not be accidentally altered.)
Graphic Art
All graphic art submissions should be the original work of the artist. Clear, black and white drawings are best, but penciled or colored works may be acceptable if they have high contrast or contrasting colors. Please be aware that some artwork may be reproduced in shades of gray in the printed magazine, except for pieces used on our outside covers. Please DO NOT send your original artwork! We accept digital copies via email or CD ROM. We encourage submission of artwork which celebrates romance, creativity, individuality, the Goddess, interfaith acceptance, family or love.
Photography
All photographic submissions should be the original work of the photographer. If persons other than the photographer are submitting the photo, a signed release from said person(s) must be included (such as from your wedding photographer) in order for us to publish the photo. Accepted email formats of photos are .jpg and .png under 10MB. The higher the quality, the better the printed representation. If mailing, please send standard black and white or color prints. Slides and negatives will not be accepted. Photographs may be reproduced in black and white or color. Our use of photography is similar to that of graphic art; please see guidelines above.
Designers
If you are a designer of bridal wear or theme-wear, we welcome the use of your work for editorial content. You may send us high-quality photographs of your work with live models appearing in your clothing. If you submit a photo, a signed release from both the photographer and the model must be included in order for us to publish the photo. You, the photographer and the model will be credited. Please include with your submission your name, your company’s name (if applicable) the name/description of the piece(s), phone number, email, and address.
General Information
Please send a self-addressed, stamped envelope with your submission if sending by mail. If you wish for us to return your submission, please ensure that the SASE has adequate postage to return your manuscript, artwork, or other submission. If you do not wish for your submission to be returned, please write "Do not return" on it, and simply send an SASE or stamped postcard for us to respond to your submission. Please put your name, address and phone number with area code on each page of your manuscript.
Your submission will be acknowledged when we receive your material; we cannot guarantee exact publishing dates but will attempt to keep you up-to-date on the status of your work. We prefer to accept material which has not been previously seen or published - please inform us of multiple submissions or previous publications.
Handfastings Magazine publishes quarterly. All material should be sent to the attention of the Editor at the address (either email or U.S. mail) given below.
Compensation and Rights
Compensation: Handfastings Magazine is a community-supported resource, and as such, most of our articles are written by volunteers. We are proud to offer a free 4-issue subscription for all articles of 1000 words or more once we publish your work. Should your work appear in multiple issues, you can gift the extra subscriptions to your friends! As stated earlier, your brief bio will be published alongside your submission. It is important to us that we not only credit you but also allow you to promote your work as compensation for publishing your article.
Regular columnists (to be determined by RFP and subsequent contract) are offered generous advertising trade in exchange for their work. Multiple published works without a contract does not make a columnist; we recommend that you first send us a Request for Proposal.
Rights: Handfastings Magazine is a community resource; in order to present your article to the widest possible audience, we require non-exclusive print and digital rights of the edited, designed and published version for use in the printed and digital versions of the magazine in perpetuity and on the Handfastings Magazine website in perpetuity unless withdrawn by the author. If you inform us you would like to withdraw a piece, we would promptly remove it from the site. (Obviously, we can't unpublish it from the magazine itself.)
You retain all other rights; since our rights are non-exclusive, you can use, publish, share, post or otherwise distribute the original, unedited article in any venue or form you like. We do request that you inform us of any prior use of your piece so we can properly credit other publishers.
If there are any questions that these guidelines do not answer, please feel free to email, call or write to us for more information or simply to try out your ideas on us! Our usual office hours are 9-4 Eastern U.S. Time, Monday-Friday, but feel free to leave a message if you don't reach us. We will return your call! Thanks again for your interest in Handfastings Magazine. We look forward to hearing from you soon.
Send articles, photography and COPIES of artwork to:
The majority of every issue is created from the contributions of our readers, so your creativity and willingness to share is vital to Handfastings Magazine 's existence! We welcome material from people of all races, religions, ages, sexual orientations, and socio-economic backgrounds. Our editorial staff is English-speaking only, so we ask that written contributions and letters to us be submitted in English, but we encourage submissions from non-Westerners and people for whom English may be a second language. We also encourage contributions from people of color. Handfastings Magazine offers the following guidelines to help you in submitting your work to us.
Subject Matter
Handfastings Magazine focuses primarily on ceremonies, rites, rituals and celebrations of love. Subject matter of submissions may include marriage ceremonies such as weddings and handfastings which are nature-inspired, Goddess-inspired, Pagan-friendly, interfaith-friendly or uniquely themed (sample wedding themes: renaissance, fairy, gothic, sci-fi, etc.). We accept non-fiction articles, photographs and graphic artwork (drawings, painting, prints, etc.) suitable for publishing in a magazine format and related to the ritualistic or spiritual aspect of the ceremony as well as unique or offbeat celebrations. We do not accept fiction, screenplays, long narrative poems, erotica, or press releases/advertorial.
It goes without saying that Handfastings Magazine is especially interested in the handfasting ritual, but we do not limit ourselves; therefore, we encourage submissions which highlight unique family/ancestral traditions that are represented in the rituals and ceremonies surrounding the wedding/handfasting or other unique celebrations.
In addition, we also seek submissions focusing on rituals and acts of love, such as engagement stories, baby naming ceremonies, distinctive wedding lore pertaining to the submitter’s ancestry or traditions (i.e., beyond the conventional “something old, something new” custom), and more. The possibilities are endless, and we welcome all stories pertaining to the above mentioned subject matter.
Handfastings Magazine is dedicated to helping brides and grooms with unique sensibilities express their spiritual and creative selves in a way that respects their own unique traditions, practices, customs and beliefs as well as respecting others and all creatures of Earth.
We encourage people of all paths to send writings and artwork, but our focus is on material which expresses an Earth-centered spirituality and/or interfaith unions. Please don't limit yourself because you aren't a "professional" writer or artist - most of our published material is from previously unpublished writers.
Written Submissions
All written submissions should be the original work of the author. We prefer receiving submissions via email sent to shira@handfastings.org or on computer disk accompanied by a double-spaced paper manuscript. (Please don't just send a disk - sometimes compatibility problems prevent us from reading disks which are submitted to us, and without a manuscript, we won't be able to evaluate your submission!) We are Windows-based and prefer Word files attached to your email. Disks sent to us will not be returned unless you send an SASE with adequate postage with the submission. Please do not send us your only copy of your manuscript; accidents can happen and material sent to us is occasionally lost or damaged.
Articles should be between 800 and 5000 words in length, and written manuscripts should contain the author's name, pen name (if applicable), address, phone number and email on each page. Please include a short (one-two sentence) bio with your submission. It is important to us that we not only credit you but also allow you to promote your work as compensation for publishing your article. Don’t be shy!
We are aware that you have worked hard on your writing; it is personal and special to you and contains your unique voice. Nonetheless, we often find it necessary to edit for length, clarity and grammar, sometimes at the last minute before publication. Therefore, we CANNOT guarantee that your article will appear precisely as you submitted it. If you do not want your material edited in any way, please do not submit your writing to us. (Also, please inform us of deliberate uses of non-traditional spelling so the tone of your work will not be accidentally altered.)
Graphic Art
All graphic art submissions should be the original work of the artist. Clear, black and white drawings are best, but penciled or colored works may be acceptable if they have high contrast or contrasting colors. Please be aware that some artwork may be reproduced in shades of gray in the printed magazine, except for pieces used on our outside covers. Please DO NOT send your original artwork! We accept digital copies via email or CD ROM. We encourage submission of artwork which celebrates romance, creativity, individuality, the Goddess, interfaith acceptance, family or love.
Photography
All photographic submissions should be the original work of the photographer. If persons other than the photographer are submitting the photo, a signed release from said person(s) must be included (such as from your wedding photographer) in order for us to publish the photo. Accepted email formats of photos are .jpg and .png under 10MB. The higher the quality, the better the printed representation. If mailing, please send standard black and white or color prints. Slides and negatives will not be accepted. Photographs may be reproduced in black and white or color. Our use of photography is similar to that of graphic art; please see guidelines above.
Designers
If you are a designer of bridal wear or theme-wear, we welcome the use of your work for editorial content. You may send us high-quality photographs of your work with live models appearing in your clothing. If you submit a photo, a signed release from both the photographer and the model must be included in order for us to publish the photo. You, the photographer and the model will be credited. Please include with your submission your name, your company’s name (if applicable) the name/description of the piece(s), phone number, email, and address.
General Information
Please send a self-addressed, stamped envelope with your submission if sending by mail. If you wish for us to return your submission, please ensure that the SASE has adequate postage to return your manuscript, artwork, or other submission. If you do not wish for your submission to be returned, please write "Do not return" on it, and simply send an SASE or stamped postcard for us to respond to your submission. Please put your name, address and phone number with area code on each page of your manuscript.
Your submission will be acknowledged when we receive your material; we cannot guarantee exact publishing dates but will attempt to keep you up-to-date on the status of your work. We prefer to accept material which has not been previously seen or published - please inform us of multiple submissions or previous publications.
Handfastings Magazine publishes quarterly. All material should be sent to the attention of the Editor at the address (either email or U.S. mail) given below.
Compensation and Rights
Compensation: Handfastings Magazine is a community-supported resource, and as such, most of our articles are written by volunteers. We are proud to offer a free 4-issue subscription for all articles of 1000 words or more once we publish your work. Should your work appear in multiple issues, you can gift the extra subscriptions to your friends! As stated earlier, your brief bio will be published alongside your submission. It is important to us that we not only credit you but also allow you to promote your work as compensation for publishing your article.
Regular columnists (to be determined by RFP and subsequent contract) are offered generous advertising trade in exchange for their work. Multiple published works without a contract does not make a columnist; we recommend that you first send us a Request for Proposal.
Rights: Handfastings Magazine is a community resource; in order to present your article to the widest possible audience, we require non-exclusive print and digital rights of the edited, designed and published version for use in the printed and digital versions of the magazine in perpetuity and on the Handfastings Magazine website in perpetuity unless withdrawn by the author. If you inform us you would like to withdraw a piece, we would promptly remove it from the site. (Obviously, we can't unpublish it from the magazine itself.)
You retain all other rights; since our rights are non-exclusive, you can use, publish, share, post or otherwise distribute the original, unedited article in any venue or form you like. We do request that you inform us of any prior use of your piece so we can properly credit other publishers.
If there are any questions that these guidelines do not answer, please feel free to email, call or write to us for more information or simply to try out your ideas on us! Our usual office hours are 9-4 Eastern U.S. Time, Monday-Friday, but feel free to leave a message if you don't reach us. We will return your call! Thanks again for your interest in Handfastings Magazine. We look forward to hearing from you soon.
Send articles, photography and COPIES of artwork to:
|
MAIL
Address provided upon request |
PHONE
212 . 961 . 7028 9 - 4 Eastern U.S. Time Monday-Friday |
