Many of our best articles come from the ranks of working residential contractors and other construction professionals like yourself. We welcome you to submit ideas whether or not you have writing experience. Our editors and illustrators will work closely with you to help you produce a completed article.
To discuss a story idea, write to us at JLC-Edit, 186 Allen Brook Lane, Williston, VT 05495, or send an email to JLC JLC-Editorial@Hanley-Wood.com.
Please include a brief description of your story idea. Also include photos or rough illustrations if any are available. While we will make every effort to return your original materials in the condition they are received, we urge you to make duplicate copies of any materials which are important to you.
Once your idea has been accepted by our editorial staff, please refer to the Writers Guidelines below to help guide you through the writing process.
WRITER'S GUIDELINES
The Journal of Light Construction is written by and for residential and light commercial contractors; its mission is to use real-world, nuts-and-bolts experience to educate builders about the products, tools, and techniques they need to be successful.
General Style. All of the editors at The Journal of Light Construction were builder-authors before we joined the staff, so we remember how difficult it was to find the time and energy to write an article. We also remember agonizing about grammar, spelling, and the "voice" of the articles we wrote while we were still builders.
Well, you don't have to worry about how your article "sounds." We don't expect a work of art — what we're interested in is your information. Whatever the topic, we're asking you to write because as a builder, you know what's important and what's not. If you spend a lot of time trying to get the wording just so, it will take you much longer to finish your writing - and it will probably come out too stiff and formal anyway.
Focus on Content. So don't worry about the language. Concentrate instead on the details of what you want to say. If you have trouble getting started, imagine that you are going away for a week and have to explain to one of your employees or a fellow carpenter how to frame a roof or hang a door or sand a floor. Try to think of everything that's important without adding too many extraneous details.
Be Specific. If you prefer to use this tool instead of that tool, say so. If your experience tells you that the work must proceed in specific stages, explain what they are and why the order is so important. Use examples to make your point.
Who Are You Writing For? Your audience is other builders. Some will already know all about your topic, some will know next to nothing about it, and still others will know just enough to be dangerous. All of them will find something of interest, even if it's simply a new wrinkle on a technique they've used for years. If you're at a loss for what to say next, put yourself in their position. What did you want to know about your topic the first time you came up against it? If you can save someone the trouble of reinventing the wheel, you've done your job.
Ask Your Editor. It's your editor's job to make you sound good. Usually, your editor will have had some experience with your topic, and will be able to help you organize your thinking about it. As editors, we talk with lots of builders and read dozens of articles each year, so we have a fairly good idea of which direction your article should take to be most useful to readers.
Watch Your Deadline. There is one thing, however, that's worth worrying about: your deadline. Unlike a room addition, which can often be delayed a week or two if problems arise, we editors have to produce a magazine every month without fail. When you're late with your manuscript, it compresses the amount of time we can spend with it. Work with your editor to set a realistic deadline, then stick with it. If you're going to be late, let us know as soon as possible so we can reschedule publication. We'd rather take more time to polish your article than rush it into print before it's ready.
Graphics. And don't forget about photographs and illustrations. On site, when you need to explain a detail to another carpenter or a sub, chances are you draw a picture. Our readers like to figure things out for themselves by looking at photographs and drawings. If you're working on a project that includes work you will be describing in your article, don't forget to take some photographs (we'll reimburse you for the expenses). Use color slide film when possible, and take photos from several different angles and at several different exposures. If you like, you can send the rolls of film to us and we'll develop it and choose the best slides.
Drawings are also useful, but you don't need to be Frank Lloyd Wright — just make the best sketch you can. Be sure to clearly label important details, and to provide critical dimensions and material specs. Keep both the photos and drawings in mind as you write: By referring to a photo or drawing, you can save yourself…well, a thousand words.
Submissions. Finally, please have your manuscript typewritten. We do a lot of reading every day and it's very hard on the eyes to read a handwritten manuscript. (If you can't, you can't — we'll live with it.) If you work on a computer, you can e-mail the copy, or send it on disk instead of hard copy. Save your file as an MS Word file or plain text (any size floppy will do).
Remember that we editors are here to help. Call us if you get stuck, have questions, or just want to talk about it. We spend a lot of time moving around the office, so if we're not available when you call, leave a message and we'll be sure to get back to you soon.
May 17, 2008
