Freelance
Writer's Guidelines
Queries and Submissions:
Because of the specialized nature of the colored stone trade, Colored Stone prefers to receive queries on story ideas before the manuscript itself is submitted.
Correspondents:
The bulk of the articles published in each issue are generated from leads gathered by Colored Stone staff and assigned to one of a standard list of writers. If you do not have a specific story proposal, but would like to be considered for a story assignment, send your resume, and writing samples to the Editor at the below address. We also have "foreign correspondent" positions available for freelance writers in gem-producing or gem-trading centers outside the United States.
Readership:
People in the wholesale end of the jewelry business, principally
manufacturing jewelers and jewelry designers, retail jewelers,
and gemstone dealers.
Subjects:
The magazine is divided into three sections. "Style"
covers jewelry design, new gemstones on the market, fashion or
design trends, and designer/company profiles. "Selling"
is geared toward retail sales, but discusses trends that impact
retail sales rather than generic "top ten selling tips"
types of articles. "Sources" covers gemstone sources,
including mining, gemstone cutting, gemology, and gem treatments.
Style:
We try to take a conversational, informal, "insider"
approach to our articles that may include humor as long as it's
not excessive. For examples of the types of articles we publish,
visit our Web site at www.Colored-Stone.com.
NOTE: Because we are a trade magazine, our articles assume familiarity
with the gem business, as well as a certain pre-knowledge about
different types of colored gemstones, their sources, and how they
are marketed and sold. If you are not familiar with the trade,
we can provide background information for any articles we assign,
and can also recommend some general reference books.
Length:
Features: 1,400 to 1,600 words; departments 700-900 words; news
briefs 200-300 words.
Artwork:
Transparencies, slides, and prints. All photographs should be
labeled and include captions. We cannot scan photos from pre-printed
material such as postcards, brochures, or magazine pages.
Submissions of digital photos on CD-ROM or Zip disks are fine,
as are e-mail submissions. All pictures must be a minimum of 266
dpi at the size the picture will run in the magazine. If you do
not understand what this means or how to determine the resolution
of a digital image, please ask before submitting. We cannot take
pictures directly from Web sites unless they are high-resolution
downloads.
Manuscripts:
E-mail submissions preferred, especially from writers outside
the United States. Story text should be pasted into the body of
the e-mail message rather than sent as an attached file.
Conditions:
Writers must be able to substantiate any and all material as accurate.
All articles are subject to editing. All material shall be submitted
solely and exclusively for publication in Colored Stone,
unless approved by the Editor in advance. Writers must sign a
copyright agreement form before publication.
Fees:
Payment is generally on a per-article rather than a per-word basis;
fees are negotiated through the Editor. Fees generally run at
20-25 cents per word, depending on the complexity of the article,
the experience of the writer, and the cost of living in the writer's
home base. We pay a $15 finder's fee per photo submitted by the
author and published. Phone/fax expenses are reimbursed upon submission
of the phone bill; other expenses may be reimbursed with the pre-approval
of the Editor.
Direct all inquiries to: David Federman, Editor-in-Chief,
Colored Stone, 300 Chesterfield Parkway, Suite 100, Malvern,
PA 19355 USA, (610) 232-5700, fax (610) 232-5756, e-mail
(click here).
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Internships
at Colored Stone
*Editorial Internship Description: Interns will be exposed to the editorial side of the magazine publishing field. Duties include editorial research, proofreading, trafficking or soliciting photos, typing, and assisting staff with special projects. The internship may also include work on the magazine’s Web site. We are willing to work with any interested student with respect to time frame and daily schedule. We have used the internship program with great success and have hired seven interns full time.
*Business Internship Description: Interns will be exposed to the business side of the magazine publishing field. Duties include administrative support, vendor research/calls, proofreading, A/P and A/R support and assisting staff with special projects. We are willing to work with any interested student with respect to time frame and daily schedule.
Publication Description: Colored Stone is a bimonthly trade magazine that covers the international colored gemstone market. Readership is primarily colored gem buyers and sellers, miners, jewelry manufacturers, and retail jewelers. In addition to the magazine itself, Colored Stone publishes three gem and jewelry trade show directories each year.
Colored Stone is owned by Interweave
Press. Included among its magazines are Beadwork, Knits, and FiberArts.
In business since 1975, Interweave Press publishes a growing number of magazines
and many books related to fiber, thread, needlework, and beads. Throughout Interweave's
evolution, its publications have focused on natural materials and processes, a
respect for "doing," and an appreciation of the fine, simple things
in life. Interweave is dedicated to creating a resource for its readers to find
the best information in their field of interest—the latest news, the best
products, the newest techniques, and the history behind them.
Location: Malvern, Pennsylvania (approximately 25 miles from Center City Philadelphia). Offices are a short bus ride from the Paoli train station (which is on the R5 Paoli/Downingtown local line).
Salary: An end-of-internship stipend is provided; the amount varies based on the length of the internship.
Available: Fall and/or summer semesters.
Applicant Criteria: Applicants should be highly motivated, able to work independently, and flexible. For Editorial internships, prior writing courses/experience a plus but not a necessity.
Deadline: None. Applicants are accepted throughout the year.
Application Procedure: Applicants for Editorial
positions should mail or fax a resume and cover letter to: David
Federman, Editor-in-Chief, 300 Chesterfield Parkway, Suite 100,
Malvern, PA 19355, fax (610) 232-5756. For questions, phone (610)
232-5700 or e-mail (click
here).
For Business positions, mail or fax a resume and cover letter to: Michele
Erazo, Office/Sundry Sales Manager, 300 Chesterfield Parkway, Suite 100, Malvern,
PA 19355, fax (610) 232-5754. For questions, phone (610) 232-5700 or e-mail
(click here).
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