Wikis Archive

Writer’s Digest

By Bethany Baker on August 26, 2011 in

Publication analysis

About the publication

Title: Writer’s Digest

ISSN: 0043-9525 (Print)¹

Website: https://www.writersdigest.com/

Purpose, objective, or mission: “Founded in 1920, Writer’s Digest is the comprehensive, multi-platform resource for professional and aspiring writers of all media, genres and skill levels. Our mission is to help ignite writers’ creative vision and connect them with the inspiration, resources and community they need to bring it to life.

Fiction
Nonfiction
Poetry
Screenwriting

From inspiring prompts, practical techniques and insightful interviews, to lucrative markets, publishing secrets, instructional workshops and professional services—plus a robust online forum for networking with fellow writers—we help writers develop their craft and hone their business skills at every stage of their career.”²

Target audience: Writers interested in developing their craft or learning more about the business side of publishing.

Publisher: Active Interest Media.³

Peer reviewed? No.

Type: Civilian magazine for writers.

Medium: Print and online.

Content: First-person essays, interviews with bestselling authors, profiles with emerging talent, practical technique articles, and tips and exercises on fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and the business-side of writing and publishing.⁴

Frequency of publication: 8 times a year.⁵

About the publication’s submission guidelines

Location of submission guidelines: http://www.writersdigest.com/submission-guidelines

Types of contributions accepted: Opinion pieces, technique articles, market reports, author profiles, and more. Read the guidelines for more information.

Submission and review process: “We consider completed manuscripts on spec as well as original pitches. A query should include a thorough outline that introduces your article proposal and highlights each of the points you intend to make. Your query should discuss how the article will benefit our readers, why the topic is timely and why you’re the appropriate writer to discuss the topic. Although we welcome the work of new writers, we believe the established writer can better instruct our reader. Please include your publishing credentials related to your topic with your submission, along with a brief bio.” ⁶

Send email queries to the acquisitions editor at wdsubmissions [at] fwmedia.com. Include your name, address, daytime telephone number, and email address. Do not send attachments. Allow two to four months for a response.⁷

Editorial tone: “Our style is confident, authoritative yet conversational. Our voice is that of one publishing industry insider speaking to another—your trusted friend in the business.”⁸

Style guide used: None specified.

Conclusion: Evaluation of publication’s potential for LIS authors

For those who want to write better, get published, and participate in the vibrant culture of writers, this publication intends to inform, instruct, and inspire readers. Readers look to Writer’s Digest for specific ideas and tips that will help them succeed, whether success means getting into print, finding personal fulfillment through writing, or building and maintaining a thriving writing career and network.

Audience analysis

About the publication’s readers

Publication circulation: 56,000 paid magazine circulation and 1.56 million page views monthly. ⁹

Audience location and language or cultural considerations: “We have a worldwide readership, but the majority of our readers live in the U.S. and Canada.”¹⁰ Writer’s Digest is published in English and would appeal to those who want to be better writers, and develop their skills and learn about publishing.

Reader characteristics: “The Writer’s Digest . . . community is highly educated and affluent, ranging from aspiring beginners to full-time professionals earning a living from their writing.”¹¹ Readers are 69% female, college-educated, and 31% have been writing for more than 20 years.¹² Writer’s Digest appeals to writers or those who wish to be writers. A reader would have to be interested in either becoming a writer or those working in the publishing industry.

Knowledge of LIS subject matter: While writers, in general, are fans of libraries, an in-depth knowledge of LIS subject matter should not be assumed.

Conclusion: Analysis of reader characteristics and their potential impact on authors

Many of the readers will have the need for research services and library materials, indicating a familiarity if not a love of libraries. This suggests articles by LIS writers would be well received and presents an opportunity to promote all things library or discuss writing and publishing from a librarian’s perspective.

Last updated: September 24, 2020

References

Show 12 footnotes

Sonoma State Star

By Bethany Baker on August 26, 2011 in

Publication analysis

About the publication

Title: Sonoma State Star

ISSN: N/A

Website: http://www.sonomastatestar.com

Purpose, objective, or mission: This publication is the student-run newspaper of Sonoma State University. Its purpose is to provide students with information about the university and the community, as well as local, national and international news.

Target audience: Students, faculty, staff, and community members.

Publisher: Sonoma State University.

Peer reviewed? No.

Type: Civilian; school newspaper.

Medium: Print and online.¹

Content: This paper includes campus news, as well as news from the larger community of Sonoma County, the state, the nation, and the world. The focus tends to be on issues that will be of interest to, and have an impact upon, students of Sonoma State University. There are sections on arts and entertainment, sports, news, opinion, and general features.

Frequency of publication: Weekly (every Tuesday) during the fall and spring semesters.²

About the publication’s submission guidelines

Location of submission guidelines: http://www.sonomastatestar.com/aboutus/

Types of contributions accepted: The paper only states specifically that it accepts letters to the editor, to be published in the op-ed section.³ However, a number of articles in any given edition are written by students or members of faculty, which would seem to indicate some flexibility.

Submission and review process: There is no formal submission and review process beyond that for letters to the editor. “Letters of up to 500 words will be allowed and must be submitted no later than the Friday before the publication date.”⁴

Editorial tone: The tone tends to be casual and conversational in nature.

Style guide used: There is no specific style guide indicated.

Conclusion: Evaluation of publication’s potential for LIS authors

For writers interested in reaching this specific community, there seems to be opportunities to connect and communicate about LIS issues.

Audience analysis

About the publication’s readers

Publication circulation: No information regarding publication circulation could be located.

Audience location and language or cultural considerations: The audience will primarily consist of residents of the area, Sonoma State University students, staff and faculty. The Sonoma State Star is an English language publication.

Reader characteristics: Would vary widely; however, their connection with the school would be a common factor. Possibly more progressive than the general public given it is a publication of an educational institution.

Knowledge of LIS subject matter: Possibly higher than the general public due to university affiliation.

Conclusion: Analysis of reader characteristics and their potential impact on authors

Readers, with their affiliation to the school and area, will expect articles that pertain to their life at the university. A review of the publication will provide authors with a sense of the interests of the community.

Last updated: September 27, 2020

References

Show 4 footnotes

Santa Cruz Sentinel

By Bethany Baker on August 26, 2011 in

Publication analysis

About the publication

Title: Santa Cruz Sentinel or Santa Cruz County Sentinel

ISSN: 1072-446X (Print)¹

Website: http://www.santacruzsentinel.com/

Purpose, objective, or mission: To provide news and information to residents of the Santa Cruz area.

Target audience: Populace of Santa Cruz and surrounding smaller townships.

Publisher: MediaNews Group.²

Peer reviewed? No.

Type: Civilian newspaper.

Medium: Print and online.

Content: International, national, state, and local news; sports; entertainment; community notices; reviews; and various other topics of local interest.

Frequency of publication: Daily.³

About the publication’s submission guidelines

Location of submission guidelines: http://www.santacruzsentinel.com/submit-letters

Types of contributions accepted: News, photos or videos, letters to the editors, and op-eds.⁴

Submission and review process: Submissions for news, photos or videos should be emailed to newsroom [at] santacruzsentinel.com.

Op-eds should be no more than 650 words and should be sent to editorial [at] santacruzsentinel.com.

Letters should be no more than 150 words and should be sent to editorial [at] santacruzsentinel.com. “We do not accept anonymous letters. Letter-writers should include their full name – initials aren’t enough – as well as a street address and telephone number. We don’t publish those details in the newspaper, but need the information for verification purposes.”⁵

Editorial tone: Informative.

Style guide used: None stated.

Conclusion: Evaluation of publication’s potential for LIS authors

The first reason for publishing in a local paper is to garner support for the local library, announce upcoming events, or bring issues to the attention of the community. The second reason to publish in the local paper is to begin attaching one’s name and voice to library issues, which may cause the author to be contacted in the future on similar subjects. In other words, become an expert (or at least a contact) for local library issues and events.

Audience analysis

About the publication’s readers

Publication circulation: Unknown.

Audience location and language or cultural considerations: Readers reside in the Santa Cruz area. The Santa Cruz Sentinel is an English language publication.

Reader characteristics: According to the U.S. Census, the population of Santa Cruz County is 50.5% female, 49.5% male, and 87.0% White.⁶. Additionally, 40% of the population has obtained at least a Bachelor’s degree and the median household income is 78,000 dollars.⁷

Knowledge of LIS subject matter: As this is a lay publication, writers should not assume that readers know and understand LIS jargon, and thus should explain any LIS jargon they use in their work.

Conclusion: Analysis of reader characteristics and their potential impact on authors

When writing and submitting pieces for publication, authors should be familiar with the area in order to tailor their piece to the concerns and interests of residents.

Last updated: September 27, 2020.

References

Show 7 footnotes

The Santa Barbara Independent

By Bethany Baker on August 26, 2011 in

Publication analysis

About the publication

Title: The Santa Barbara Independent or Santa Barbara Indepedent

ISSN: N/A

Website: http://independent.com

Purpose, objective, or mission: A weekly newspaper and “the leading source for news, arts & entertainment, and lifestyle coverage in the greater Santa Barbara area.”¹

Target audience: “Our coverage and distribution extends from the heart of Santa Barbara northwest through Goleta and the Santa Ynez Valley, and then southeast through Montecito and Carpinteria, with presence in both Ojai and Ventura as well.”²

Publisher: Santa Barbara Independent, Inc.³

Peer reviewed? No.⁴

Type: Civilian newspaper.⁵

Medium: Print and online.⁶

Content: Local and national news, community events.⁷

Frequency of publication: Weekly.⁸

About the publication’s submission guidelines

Location of submission guidelines: https://www.independent.com/contact-us/

Types of contributions accepted: Letters to the editor, longer and more thought out opinion pieces regarding an issue of critical importance to the Santa Barbara community (called a “Voice”), and “In Memoriams”, which are “eulogies for members of the Santa Barbara Community.”⁹

Submission and review process: Proposals and submissions should be sent via the contact form on the Contact Us page. Choose the appropriate box based on your submission (“Submit Letter or Voice,” or “Submit In Memoriam”). The word count is 50-250 words for Letters, 600-850 for Voices, and 500-800 words for In Memoriams. Include your name, address, and telephone number in the submission.¹⁰

Editorial tone: Informative.

Style guide used: None mentioned.

Conclusion: Evaluation of publication’s potential for LIS authors

The Santa Barabara Independent provides an opportunity for authors to reach their local community with information about their library or library issues.

Audience analysis

About the publication’s readers

Publication circulation: Print circulation of 40,500 and 492,000 webpage visits per month.¹¹

Audience location and language or cultural considerations: Santa Barbara County residents and visitors. The publication is written in the English language. Culturally, Santa Barbara is a tourist location and has a changing, diverse population.

Reader characteristics: According to their media kit, 62% of all residents in Southern Santa Barbara County read The Independent, with 100,000 people indicating that they read The Independent each week.¹² 29% of the readers are male while 62% are female. More than 75% of the readers have a college or post-graduate degree. The average household income of readers is $75,000 or higher, and the majority of readers (32%) are between the ages of 50-64.¹³

The Santa Barbara Independent is actively involved in community affairs and “supports civic engagement by hosting political forums; fosters recognition of arts and culture with annual awards for theater, dance, and culinary achievements; sponsors numerous community events; and raises money each fall for numerous nonprofits . . . ,”¹⁴ The reach of the Santa Barabara Independent spans outside of their dedicated readers and into the community it serves.

Knowledge of LIS subject matter: Given that most readers are college-educated, many are probably familiar with libraries to some degree; however, library jargon should be avoided.

Conclusion: Analysis of reader characteristics and their potential impact on authors

Santa Barbara is a well-rounded community that appreciates its cultural diversity. Many educators reside in Santa Barbara and would appreciate knowing about services that are available to students of all ages. Potential authors have the benefit of reaching a cultured and educated community who will likely see writing about libraries as interesting and intriguing.

Last updated: September 26, 2020

References

Show 14 footnotes

San Francisco Business Times

By Bethany Baker on August 26, 2011 in

Publication analysis

About the publication

Title: San Francisco Business Times

ISSN: 0890-0337 (Print)¹

Website: https://www.bizjournals.com/sanfrancisco/

Purpose, objective, or mission: San Francisco Business Times is a publication focused on the business community and business news in San Francisco and the Bay Area.²

Target audience: This publication is aimed at businesses, corporations, and executives in the San Francisco Bay Area. They tend to publish rankings and lists of prominent corporations, so are very popular with marketing personnel.

Publisher: American City Business Journals, Inc.³

Peer reviewed? No.

Type: Civilian publication; local business journal.

Medium: Print and online.

Content: San Francisco Business Times publishes articles on businesses and business news in the San Francisco Area. They also compile a book of lists (ranking companies in various sectors by size and prominence) which is heavily used by marketing professionals.⁴

Frequency of publication: Weekly.⁵

About the publication’s submission guidelines

Location of submission guidelines: http://www.bizjournals.com/about-us/help (Scroll down to “Do you accept press releases, news tips or story ideas?”)

Types of contributions accepted: “If it’s news about your company or a story tip, we want to hear it.”⁶

Submission and review process: You can fill out the form found on the Contact page, or use email, mail, fax, or telephone. “If you’re not certain of the person to contact, send it in care of the Editor. Please remember to include the name of a contact person and a business phone number.”⁷

Editorial tone: The San Francisco Business Times uses a traditional newspaper structure, leading with the most interesting information and following with more detail. The articles are generally short, punchy, and to the point.

Style guide used: Not listed.

Conclusion: Evaluation of publication’s potential for LIS authors

LIS authors could contact the editors to pitch ideas for stories about how libraries benefit the business community. There could be potential to highlight special libraries or public libraries: for example, a case study on how a special library’s research and information services supported a company or a story about how public libraries support job skill development or entrepreneurship. In addition, any writer seeking better exposure in the business community may want to post comments on the site.

Audience analysis

About the publication’s readers

Publication circulation: 15,828 paid circulation, with 868,293 unique monthly visitors to the website.⁸

Audience location and language or cultural considerations: It is available nationwide through its website, but the target audience is Northern California, Bay Area. The cultural make-up of readership is as diverse as the city itself, but the newspaper does not go out of its way to cover cross-cultural issues, except as they relate to business opportunities.

Reader characteristics: Readers are educated: 85% are college graduates. 80% of readers influence purchasing decisions at their company, while 62% are top management.⁹. The average household income of SF Business Times is $373,700.¹⁰

The readers of the SF Business Times are generally people doing business in the Bay Area (or looking to expand into the Bay Area). The businesses they work in are a mix, judging from the news coverage in the paper itself. There are articles on restaurants, office space, new construction, major retailers, employers relocating, and profiles of major local employers, and businesses that serve all these demographics.

This paper is businesslike in tone and subject matter. The people reading it may have a cross-section of political leanings, personal beliefs, and values, etc, but they are not interested in exploring them in this format. Any commentary outside of introducing business resources should be kept to a minimum, as it may alienate the readership.

Knowledge of LIS subject matter: This audience is not knowledgeable about LIS subject matter, beyond what you would learn as part of a regular college education. Any library-oriented terminology should be explained. However, this would be a wonderful forum for marketing library resources to business people. People look to this newspaper for business opportunities, and new information resources would be a natural outgrowth of that.

Conclusion: Analysis of reader characteristics and their potential impact on authors

The readers of the San Francisco Business Times are primarily interested in expanding their businesses; that is their motivation for reading this publication. Any writing that would help them with this goal would be well received. Authors should strive to write in a clear, businesslike tone, and to impart as much information as possible.

Last updated: September 28, 2020.

References

Show 10 footnotes

Salon

By Bethany Baker on August 26, 2011 in

Publication analysis

About the publication

Title: Salon

ISSN: N/A

Website: http://www.salon.com/

Purpose, objective, or mission: “Salon covers breaking news, politics, entertainment, culture, and technology through investigative reporting, commentary, criticism, and provocative personal essays. Our articles and original videos bring a variety of voices to the discussion and make the conversation smarter.”¹

Target audience: Readers interested in thought-provoking coverage of politics and current events.

Publisher: Salon.com LLC. According to the Salon website: “Salon was formerly a publicly-traded company under the name ‘Salon Media Group (SLNM)’. In August 2019, the brand was taken private with the goal of creating a long-term sustainable company in the online news space.”²

Peer reviewed? No.³

Type: Civilian news publication.

Medium: Online.⁴

Content: Investigative reporting, commentary, criticism, and personal essays.⁵

Frequency of publication: Content is published daily.

About the publication’s submission guidelines

Location of submission guidelines: http://www.salon.com/about/submissions/

Types of contributions accepted: Salon accepts article submissions and letters to the editor. Any newsworthy or opinion pieces are welcomed; however, fiction and poetry are not accepted.⁶ NOTE: As of September 2020, Salon’s Life Story section is currently CLOSED to submissions.

Submission and review process: Articles and queries should be submitted to the appropriate editor via email with the words “Editorial Submission” in the subject line. Prospective authors should include information about their background as a writer and qualifications for writing a particular story. The review process is expected to last about three weeks, with no response after that period meaning that the editors are likely not interested in using the piece.⁷

Editorial tone: Although suggestions of tone are not indicated, the submission guidelines suggest that prospective authors consider the articles available on the site prior to emailing their submissions.⁸ From reviewing the content on the website, it can be assumed that the editors are looking for pieces written in a journalistic tone, with innovative ideas and fresh writing styles.

Style guide used: A specific style guide is not noted.

Conclusion: Evaluation of publication’s potential for LIS authors

Salon provides an opportunity for LIS writers to discover a new audience in the lay community. Because this publication does not publish on many library or information science-related topics, an author with a strong story idea that can be angled to appeal to the general population may find that his or her idea is welcomed here. This website may be a good platform for discussing LIS issues that may have been “overdone” or “old news” in other library publications; here they can be written with a fresh scope because there is a different audience in mind.

Two sections of the website that may be suited to potential LIS authors are the Economy & Innovation and Culture sections, respectively. Authors could easily write about economic topics such as library funding, especially in the context of the pandemic. Interesting topics relating to innovation may be electronic advancements being offered by libraries, such as digital reference, e-books, home access to electronic databases, and virtual storytimes or programs. An example of an article in the Culture section regarding reading is the “Comfort reading for the pandemic age” article which talks about reading as a form of comfort in the pandemic. Political issues involving libraries would be a welcome topic as well.

Audience analysis

About the publication’s readers

Publication circulation: According to their media kit, there are 9.2 million unique visitors to the site each month.⁹

Audience location and language or cultural considerations: The website can be accessed worldwide, though the content is generally US centered. Because most Salon readers come from the United States, language and cultural considerations are not as vital here as they may be in more international publications. However, as it is read by individuals from many different localities throughout the United States, it is important to consider that local issues or library-specific concerns may not be understood.

Reader characteristics: According to their media kit, readers are 60% male and 40% female, with a median age of 36 years old and an average household income of $92,000. Most readers have earned at least a college degree and are “affluent, well-educated, and highly influential.”¹⁰ Salon covers politics, the arts, and culture with a liberal bent.

Knowledge of LIS subject matter: Because this is a lay publication, most of the readers are probably not familiar with library jargon. It is not even safe to assume that readers are library users or that they would be particularly interested in library issues. Though they may not be knowledgeable of LIS terms or specifics, they are an educated group and therefore it could be assumed that they are comfortable using the Internet and at least doing basic research.

Conclusion: Analysis of reader characteristics and their potential impact on authors

By studying Salon reader demographics, it is safe to say that this audience is knowledgeable, opinionated, and educated. This publication presents authors with the challenge of producing pieces that will inform the audience about library issues or share educated opinions about changes in the technological world and how these affect information science. Because the audience most likely already has an appreciation for and a knowledge of books, LIS authors may have a head start in getting a lay audience to care about libraries and what they represent.

Last updated: Septemeber 28, 2020

References

Show 10 footnotes

The Press-Enterprise

By Bethany Baker on August 26, 2011 in

Publication analysis

About the publication

Title: The Press-Enterprise

ISSN: 0746-4258 (Print)¹

Website: http://www.pe.com/

Purpose, objective, or mission: “Founded in 1878, we serve the readers of Riverside County, reporting and writing accurately and fairly, shining a light on injustice and defending the public’s right to know. Our staff of journalists live and work in the cities we cover, reporting on city government and local elections, crime, housing, school sports, entertainment and investigations of public corruption.”²

Target audience: Residents of Riverside County.

Publisher: Southern California News Group.³

Peer reviewed? No.⁴

Type: Civilian publication, newspaper.

Medium: Print and Online.⁵

Content: Local news is the central focus, with some coverage of national and world events. Events throughout Riverside County are featured. General news stories, event advertisements, and community-related editorials are the main content of this paper.

Frequency of publication: Daily.⁶

About the publication’s submission guidelines

Location of submission guidelines: https://www.pe.com/share-your-news/

Types of contributions accepted: Letters to the editor, news releases for local stories and news, photos, and guest commentaries (opinion pieces).⁷

Submission and review process: Letters to the editor should be sent (without attachments) to opinions [at] scng.com and should be 150 words or less.

News releases should contain “the organization’s names and address, along with the name and daytime phone number of the individual to be contacted in case more information is needed.”⁸ Send the news release to macosta [at] scng.com at least two weeks in advance and paste the content of the message in the text field rather than sending it as an attachment. The news release should be no longer than 1 1/2 pages double-spaced.⁹

Photos should be sent to photo [at] scng.com and should have a focus on people participating in activities.¹⁰

Submit a guest commentary of 600 words or less via email to opinion [at] scng.com with a subject line of “Op-ed submission.” The Press-Enterprise looks for “topical commentary on public policy and social issues that are of general interest to our print and digital readership. We give preference to local, regional and California topics and writers.”¹¹ At the end of the email, include a couple of sentences explaining your position, city/county of residence, and any relevant background information.

Editorial tone: Straightforward news stories written in a clear and basic tone. The columns and editorials are written in an informal manner and often seek to represent the diversity of the community the paper serves.

Style guide used: None stated.

Conclusion: Evaluation of publication’s potential for LIS authors

Local library events are likely to be featured in the paper. Local librarians might find a potential audience if their article pertains to the local libraries and directly relates to the community. Many local libraries subscribe to this publication and all the staff-written news from the library electronic archives (1992-present) is available in the paper’s online archives.¹²

Audience analysis

About the publication’s readers

Publication circulation: No circulation information specific to The Press-Enterprise was available. However, the Southern California News Group’s Media Kit mentions that the L.A. County Group Market, including Riverside County, has a daily circulation of 95,000 and a Sunday circulation of 157,000.¹³

Audience location and language or cultural considerations: The paper is targeted to residents of Riverside County in California. According to the U.S. Census, the population of Riverside County is 50% Hispanic or Latino, and 40.6% of individuals in Riverside County speak a language other than English.¹⁴ While the newspaper is published in English, authors should be aware of the diverse cultures and languages in Riverside.

Reader characteristics: No information specific to readers of The Press-Enterprise was available, however, the readers of the Southern California News Group’s L.A. County Group Market is 51% female, 49% male, with an average household income of $111,981.¹⁵

Knowledge of LIS subject matter: As The Press-Enterprise is a civilian newspaper, the average reader probably has a layperson’s familiarity with LIS topics.

Conclusion: Analysis of reader characteristics and their potential impact on authors

While the paper does discuss world news and events, potential authors must be aware that the primary goal of the paper is to support the local community. Articles and stories that focus on local news and events have a greater likelihood of being well received. The community the paper serves is highly diverse and contains readers with a variety of different cultures, backgrounds, and educations, and potential authors should be aware and respectful of this diversity.

Last updated: September 26, 2020

References

Show 15 footnotes

The Northern Light

By Bethany Baker on August 26, 2011 in

Publication analysis

About the publication

Title: The Northern Light

ISSN: 1088-4416 (Print)¹

Website: http://www.scottishritenmj.org/

Purpose, objective, or mission: “Published since 1970, The Northern Light is the premier magazine of Scottish Rite, Northern Masonic Jurisdiction (NMJ).”²

Target audience: Members of the Scottish Rite and laypeople interested in Freemasonry.

Publisher: Supreme Council Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite * Northern Masonic Jurisdiction, U.S.A.³

Peer reviewed? No.

Type: Civilian.

Medium: Print and online.

Content: News and articles on the history, social, and humanitarian aspects of Freemasonry.

Frequency of publication: Quarterly.⁴

About the publication’s submission guidelines

Location of submission guidelines: There are none available online as well as no general contact form. However, the editor of the magazine can be contacted at (781) 465-3324.

Types of contributions accepted: All types of articles, editorials, reviews, letters to the editor as well as cartoons that deal with Freemasonry in a generally positive way. A past issue contained an article by an archivist about a historical aspect of freemasonry. A preference for articles that stress the humanitarian and social aspects of the Craft as well as historical articles is shown.

Submission and review process: No process is provided; it is safe to assume that the final word lies with the editor.

Editorial tone: Very informal, clearly written prose aimed at a generally mature audience.

Style guide used: None given.

Conclusion: Evaluation of publication’s potential for LIS authors

At first, it would seem that this magazine would not be a fertile place for the new writer to publish, but if you are an academic librarian and/or an archivist with an interest in esoteric Americana or US history, or you are, in fact, a Freemason, then this magazine is a natural fit for you. Freemasons generally have a keen interest in their history and the history of the country, and so these types of pieces are heavily sought, especially if photographs of Masonic ephemera accompany the piece.

There have been several pieces in past issues that have been written by archivists and librarians. Some have been Masonic librarians because the Craft owned a few special libraries, but most are non-Masons who work in a facility with some Masonic artifacts or a complete collection.

Don’t ignore these specialty magazines, they are usually hungry for material and their editorial process is also usually very informal and forgiving. You might not want to put one of these publications on a C.V., but it does allow you to get your feet wet and stretch your horizons a bit.

Audience analysis

About the publication’s readers

Publication circulation: According to the website, “The magazine is delivered quarterly to every member of the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction and distributed worldwide to other Supreme Councils and subscribers.” ⁵ Membership numbers are not provided, however, according to Business Insider, there are over 6 million Freemasons worldwide.⁶ It is, therefore, safe to assume that the publication reaches a large portion of the population.

Audience location and language or cultural considerations: The publication is in English and geared toward readers in the United States.

Reader characteristics: The majority of readers will be members of the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction.

Knowledge of LIS subject matter: Readers will not likely have much knowledge of LIS subject matter but will have a keen interest in matters pertaining to archives, history, and artifacts.

Conclusion: Analysis of reader characteristics and their potential impact on authors

Readers of The Northern Light are a large, diverse group of people, likely older adults. To join the Freemasons one must believe in a supreme being. Philanthropy is important to them as is American history. Because of these traits, readers will likely be advocates of libraries. Articles discussing library collections that involve American history, Freemasons, or artifacts directly related to their culture would be successful.

Last updated: September 27, 2020

References

Show 6 footnotes

Mariposa Gazette

By Katie Wood on August 24, 2011 in

Publication analysis

About the publication

Title: Mariposa Gazette

ISSN: N/A

Website: http://www.mariposagazette.com/

Purpose, objective, or mission: “California’s oldest weekly newspaper of continuous publication, covering Mariposa County like the stars.” ¹

Target audience: The population of Mariposa County in California and surrounding areas

Publisher: Nichole W. Little. ²

Peer reviewed? No.

Type: Newspaper.

Medium: Print and online, with a paid subscription to the newspaper required to view most online content.³

Content: News of local, state, and national interest, along with community information and events.

Frequency of publication: Weekly. ⁴

About the publication’s submission guidelines

Location of submission guidelines: None.

Submission instructions: None provided, but those interested can send an email to mariposagazette@mariposagazette.com or editor@mariposagazette.com.⁵

Types of contributions accepted: Opinion pieces, news articles, sports reviews, music reviews, and community events.⁶

Submission and review process: None provided, but presumably editors will review the submitted article information.

Editorial tone: Informal tone reflecting the small town atmosphere and local flavor.

Style guide used: Not indicated.

Conclusion: Evaluation of publication’s potential for LIS authors

The Mariposa Gazette has a long history of covering local area news, people, and community events. The Gazette would be of interest to LIS authors who want to provide community articles and current events to the residents of Mariposa county. There is potential to discuss LIS trends, issues, programming, and community events, as long as it is maintained through a local lens.

Audience analysis

About the publication’s readers

Publication circulation: As of 2016, the Circulation Estimate is 5,100.⁷

Audience location and language or cultural considerations: The Mariposa Gazette is published for the members of California’s Mariposa County and surrounding areas. The newspaper is published in English.⁸

Reader characteristics: When looking at Mariposa County census demographics, the population is approximately 17,000 residents, predominantly Caucasian (89%) and English-speaking. Majority have a high school education (90%), some have attained a bachelor degree or higher (23%). The Median household income is around $50,000, with about 15% of the population living in poverty. ⁹

Knowledge of LIS subject matter: The readers of the Mariposa Gazette would likely not have knowledge of information science subject matters and would expect an introductory level of LIS topics to be explained without jargon.

Conclusion: Analysis of reader characteristics and their potential impact on authors

The Mariposa Gazette is a local community newspaper. The readers of this publication look for articles about Mariposa County and surrounding areas. News items, sports, home, and life are just a few of the topics covered in the publication every week .¹⁰

The future authors of this publication would be expected to cover news items of local interest. Articles about library and information services would need to be focused on the needs of the local area and residents. Future authors could also write articles on future information services and resources.

Last updated: October 25, 2020

References

Show 10 footnotes

Library Administration and Management

By Rachel Greggs on July 1, 2011 in

Links on the ALA page are broken. Tech support at ALA has been notified as of 03/17/2018

Publication analysis

About the publication

Title: Library Administration and Management

ISSN: 0888-4463

Website: http://www.ala.org/Template.cfm?Section=periodicals&template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=28764

Purpose, objective, or mission: Information goes here.

Target audience: Information goes here.

Publisher: Information goes here.

Peer reviewed? Information goes here.

Type: Information goes here.

Medium: Information goes here.

Content: Information goes here.

Frequency of publication: Information goes here.

About the publication’s submission guidelines

Location of submission guidelines: Information goes here.

Types of contributions accepted: Information goes here.

Submission and review process: Information goes here.

Editorial tone: Information goes here.

Style guide used: Information goes here.

Conclusion: Evaluation of publication’s potential for LIS authors

Information goes here.

Audience analysis

About the publisher’s audience

Publication circulation: Information goes here.

Audience location and language or cultural considerations: Information goes here.

Reader characteristics: Information goes here.

Reader knowledge of LIS subject matter: Information goes here.

Conclusion: Analysis of reader characteristics and their potential impact on authors

Information goes here.

Last updated: Information goes here

References

← Previous 1 … 27 28 29 … 31 Next →