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Boise Weekly

Submission Guidelines 

Writers interested in contributing to Boise Weekly should send complete queries, although on occasion we may consider stories written on spec. We expect writers to produce factual, accurate, interesting, finely-tuned pieces of work.

We publish content focused almost exclusively on Boise, with some exceptions made for content related specifically to Idaho.

Main Features: 3,000-5,000 words in length. Main features cover a wide-range of topics, rely on extensive reporting and may include several sidebars of information. To view the archives click here

News Features: 1,200 words in length. Political or cultural stories with multiple sources citing all sides of an issue. To view the archives click here.

Arts & Entertainment Features: Noise (1,200 words or 900 words), Arts (1,200 words or 600 words), Screen (900 words) and Food (1,200 words) features should highlight a trend, person or happening in each respective category. To view the archives, click here.

Rec Features: 1,200 words or 900 words in length. Rec features uncover what's going on with Boise's outdoor-obsessed set. We prefer "outdoor" to "sport," so the crazier, it is, the more we're likely to be interested in it. To view the archives, click here.

Columns: Unless we specifically advertise for a column opening, Boise Weekly does not accept pitches for columns.

The Do's: Craft a pitch for a story in one of the above categories. Tell us your idea, who you intend to talk to, the category in which it belongs and why you think Boise Weekly readers will be interested. Also, it's important that we know why you're the right writer for the job. If you have relevant clips to support your case, please send them along with your pitch. Thoroughly check Boise Weekly's archives to ensure that we have not recently published a similar story.

The Do Not's: Do not pitch BW a story if you are a full-time writer with another publication in Idaho. Do not pitch BW a story if you are in any way affiliated with persons or organizations about whom you are writing. We take conflicts on interest seriously and expect freelance writers to disclose any personal ties so as to uphold our editorial objectivity. Do not pitch a new business profile.

The fine print: Once your pitch is accepted by the appropriate editor, Boise Weekly will negotiate a per-word pay rate. Freelancers will be expected to sign a contract, which secures Boise Weekly's rights to the work.

E-mail your pitch to editor@boiseweekly.com.

CONTESTS: Boise Weekly has several annual submission contests, each of which happens about the same time each year. BW staff and freelancers are not eligible to enter any of these contests.

Boise Weekly Black and White Photo Contest: People. Places and Things Submit a black and white or monochrome photograph print of at least 8 inches in one dimension mounted on white 16" X 20" matboard. High quality digital prints are OK. Include name, category, phone number and address on back of each entry. Prizes are awarded to top the three entries in all three categories. The winner is published on the cover of the Boise Weekly issue that publishes the third week of June. The winning entry will also be included in the annual Boise Weekly Cover Auction. Entry fees fund the pot of prize money. All entries must be submitted to Boise Weekly office by first week of June. Check Boise Weekly for details and exact dates. Entrants can enter as many times as they want. See last year’s winners.

Bad Cartoon Contest: This contest is open to aspiring or professional cartoonists of any age, gender, height and weight. Submissions will not be returned unless a SASE is included with each entry. Entry pages must include name, address, phone number and any other vital information or statistics you deem necessary, including explanations and translations. Entry in this contest grants Boise Weekly the right to publish your cartoon in the Bad Cartoon issue and subsequent Boise Weekly Bad Cartoon promotional advertising campaigns. All single panel or strip cartoon entries must be received at Boise Weekly office by approximately the second week of November. Check Boise Weekly for details. Entry fee is $10 per cartoon submission. Grant prize winner will be awarded all entry fee cash. Enter as many times as you dare. Boise Weekly Bad Cartoon issue published around the beginning of December each year. See last year’s winners.

Fiction 101: A short, short, short fiction writing contest. The rules: Each entry must contain exactly 101 words. The story title does not apply to the word count total. Microsoft Word will determine word count. No poetry. No handwritten entries. Entry fee is $10 per story. Put your name, address and phone number on the back of each entry. All entries are due at Boise Weekly on specified deadline which is mid-November. Check Boise Weekly for details. Entry fee goes toward more than cash prizes. for winning entries. Boise Weekly will publish the winning stories in the first Boise Weekly issue of the year. Mail or drop off your entries and fee at Boise Weekly offices. Please do not send cash via snail mail. See last year’s winners.

© 2012 Boise Weekly