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Filmfax Magazine is a bi-monthly, nationally distributed publication. Although the members of the editorial staff are all media fans, Filmfax is not a fanzine. The entertainment media we cover includes radio, television, and film, both live action and animated, produced from the late 1920s up to and including the mid 1970s. We do not cover new productions.

Filmfax encourages wnters to research their articles. Our basic goal is to historically document the entertainment field and the people involved in it. We give preference to articles including an interview, having a new slant on an old subject, or ones bringing to light new information of interest to our readers. Before submitting an article proposal, we would request that a writer carefully examine several current issues of the magazine. A sample copy will be provided on request at our discretion.

GENERAL INFORMATION:

At the present time, Filmfax pays 3 cents per word for an accepted article.

All articles submitted to Filmfax are done so on speculation. Please note that this also includes article ideas accepted on query and assignments.

Filmfax does not guarantee specific publication dates.

Filmfax reserves the right to edit all articles. If extensive re-writing is required, the manuscript will be returned to you, with suggestions if possible and time permits.

Filmfax buys only first rights for an article. After your article is published you are free to do with it as you wish.

Payment for an article is on publication. Immediately upon publication, you will receive your check, two copies of the issue in which your article appears, and any graphics that were submitted (see "Graphics" below).

Filmfax is a 100% freelance publication. Therefore, we are unable to pay the expenses of writers. Exceptions include articles mailed by Federal Express, Overnight Mail, etc. at our request.

Filmfax does not pay for the use of graphics.

The length of an article is not as important as its content. Your article should be as long as it is required to cover your topic properly. We look for articles in all three length ranges: short (approximately 2500 words); medium (approximately 5000 words); long (5000 words on up). Long, extensively researched articles may be broken into two parts, if necessary.

Cover Page:

Include Name, address, home and work phone.

Manuscript:

All articles are to be submitted in either typewritten form or on a hard disc compatible with the Macintosh computer systems. (Microsoft Word is prefer- able). If you plan to submit your article on computer disc, please contact us for details and verification of compatibility.

Double or triple space the article.

Paragraphs should be indented three spaces; Single space after periods.

Number all pages.

If using printed materials as your sources (books, magazine articles etc), include a bibliography. Be sure all direct quotes are credited.

Proofread your article, paying particular attention to the spelling of proper names.

Film titles in the context of the article should include the year of their release. Example: War of the Worlds (1953).

If your article includes an interview, include the address and/or phone number of the person so that we may contact them directly and send them copies of the magazine.

 

After reading several issues of Filmfax, you should have a good idea of the proper structure we expect in a submitted article. Following are a few specific suggestions:

Make sure the article has a distinct beginning, middle and end. Your opening paragraph is the most important and should be written to capture the attention and interest of your reader.

Interviews submitted in the "Q & At format must have an introduction identifying the subject and their background. The final sentence of that introduction should lead directly into your first question. When interviewing an actor or director, please keep in mind that the films they have done may not be the most important story. The story may be the person.

Questions should be (re)written with the answer in mind. They should also include information not covered in your introduction, but required for clarification in the body of the interview. The verbatim questions you asked during the verbal interview may not suffice for the transcribed interview in its final form. Rewrite them as is necessary for the education and entertainment of the reader.

Narrative articles should also have an introductory paragraph which focuses specifically on the subject of the piece. If the article is about an individual film, the name of the film should appear in your opening. Do not wait until page two or three to let your reader know what you are writing about. Also, please try not to have your second paragraph begin--"Big Movie Star was born." Be creative.

For examples of articles which may be used as guides, see the following:

1. Johnny Jupiter (Issue #34): A good example of a well researched article on an obscure topic. Note the companion interview with Wright King.

2. Cohn Clive (Issue #35): While this article focuses specifically on the actorts career, it keeps the personality of the man in the fore front.

3. Russ Tamblyn (Issue #27): An interview article in the Q & A style. Note the short introduction leading into the first question. Also note that the interview quickly shifts its focus from the actor's well-known film role, to the man himself and his personal history.

Please keep in mind that (metaphorically speaking) an article is a circle. The beginning leads to the end, and vice versa. Make sure paragraphs have segues; each paragraph should lead to the next.

If you have any questions on how to conduct an interview or on writing the article itself, please feel free to ask. It's a sign of intelligence.

Please do not use first person references such as "When I met with so-and-so," or "I have always thought that so-and-so." Our readers are interested in your subject, not your personal opinions.

 

Graphics:

We always appreciate it if graphics are submitted with an article. These will be returned to you immediately upon publication by certified mail. Please note the following requirements for submitting graphics (still photos, lobby cards, newspaper ad mattes etc.):

Be sure your name is written clearly on the back of each graphic submitted.

Number each graphic on the back.

Include a numbered list of your graphics describing each one. The list should include the following information: Number of item; identification of film and/or person or persons involved;. a brief caption if possible. Please be as specific as you can.

If anyone other than yourself is to be credited for the photo, still, etc., please indicate this clearly.

 

Conduct of Writers:

No writer, including those on the Filmfax masthead, may use the name of the magazine for personal gain. This includes:

Contacting publishers for review copies of books.

CinemaSourcebook reviews are assigned by Filmfax. If review copies are provided to you in this manner, (without receiving prior approval from the Filmfax editorial staff), and we print your review, the book becomes the property of Filmfax and should be submitted with your review.

Contacting video or laser disc companies ~both corporate and individually owned) for review Copies.

Videoscan reviews are assigned by Filmfax. If video tapes or laser discs are provided to you in this manner, (without receiving prior approval from the Filmfax editorial staff), and we print your review, the video tape/disc becomes the property of Filmfax and should be submitted with your review.

Contacting any celebrity in the anticipation that Filmfax will publish your interview/ article.

We may not be interested in the individual in question, or another writer may already be covering the same material. Also, Filmfax prefers to deal directly with the individual, when possible.

Gaining access to any production set, television or movie, by using the Filmfax name. Arrangements must be made through Filmfax.

Gaining access or special consideration at any convention, media event, film screening, etc. Writers must contact Filmfax prior to the event for approval.

Obtaining any items offered by our advertisers free of charge. This includes video tapes, books, T-shirts, magazines, collectibles, model kits, etc.

Finally, no writer, including those listed on the masthead as contributing editors or special consultants, may indicate in any way that he or she represents Filmfax Magazine without receiving specific individual approval from a member of the Filmfax editorial staff.