Writing
Articles for CQ
Or
Let
Your Fingers Do The Talking
BY RICH MOSESON, W2VU
Amateur radio has a rich tradition of hams sharing their knowledge
and experience with each other, both on the air and through the pages of
ham radio magazines. We invite you to carry on that tradition by writing
for CQ.
CQ 's Mission Statement
When the first issue of CQ magazine was
published in January, 1945, the editors set forth a mission statement
that remains as valid today as it was more than a half-century ago. Our
goal as writers and editors is to produce a magazine each month that
hits the target set up by our founders. The original -- and current --
mission statement for CQ follows:
This, then, is the raison d'etre for CQ
-- a magazine for the radio amateur, with a particular invitation to the
newcomer. It should not, however, be inferred that we shall confine
ourselves to the ABC's of ham radio. We visualize CQ as a
magazine that will stick with the ham long after the parts of his first
rig are dust-laden in the junk-box, and as a monthly refresher course
for the old timer. While placing some emphasis on the elementary, we are
still under obligation to carry through with articles on modern
techniques and apparatus. Similarly, we shall follow up tradition (with
which every ham must be familiar) with all the vital news of amateur
radio today and tomorrow.
In radio transmissions, the letters "CQ"
have somewhat different meanings in the commercial and amateur fields.
With commercial wireless, "CQ" is the nature of a general call
announcing a broadcast. In ham radio, it is most often a friendly
invitation to get together and rag-chew. As a publication, CQ will
similarly play a dual role -- in the broadcast sense as a disseminator
of what one should know to make the most out of ham radio, and in the
less formal character as your own magazine, welcoming criticism as well
as bouquets, and, above all, the cordial exchange of ideas that is so
vital a part of ham radio on the air.
T he
primary purpose of writing an article is to communicate an idea and to
exchange the author's experience or accomplishment for the reader's
time. Therefore, whatever is published or written should be worth the
time it takes to read it. Every article passes through four very
important sets of hands -- the author's, the editor's, the art
director's, and -- most importantly -- the reader's. If the first three
do their jobs well, then all the reader needs to do is relax, read,
enjoy and learn.
Your main job as an author is to write an article
that communicates your ideas clearly, concisely, and accurately. You
also want to make the article interesting. A magazine isn't a textbook
and no article is required reading. So your first job is to capture --
and hold onto -- the reader's attention. Your next challenge is to make
sure you're neither talking down to the readers nor writing "over
their heads."
Every successful writer knows his/her audience and
writes to and for that audience. CQ's audience is a broad
spectrum of people with a shared interest in ham radio (see our Mission
Statement). They come from all walks of life and have technical
knowledge ranging from nearly nothing to leading edge. In addition, ham
radio has many specialty areas, so even a longtime ham with significant
experience in one area may be a complete "newbie" in another.
What this means is that you should not assume that every reader will
bring a particular level of prior knowledge to your article's topic.
Because of this, you should try to explain all concepts and define all
terminology as you write. This will provide a roadmap for the newcomer
and assure the old-timer that you know what you're talking about well
enough to explain it to someone who doesn't.
Structuring Your Article
While there's no set "formula" for CQ's
articles, there is a certain structure that is followed by most
successful writers. It's the same basic outline used by teachers in a
classroom: "Tell them what you're going to tell them. Tell them.
Tell them what you've told them."
Let's get more specific. First there is a form of
introduction. The introduction is some method of defining the objective
or problem to be solved by the article. It establishes the need and the
method of satisfying the need. This is also where you need to grab the
reader's attention, so it's vital to keep this section interesting. Tell
a story that shows why the reader should care about the widget you've
written about. Think of yourself sitting around a table at a club
meeting, telling a group of fellow hams about your trip, construction
project, etc. You've got to keep their interest or they'll go listen to
the guy at the next table, telling his own story. If you don't
"hook" your readers at the beginning of your article, they'll
just turn the page and look for another.
The main body of the article develops the theory,
construction techniques, the basic "how-to" information, or
"how we did it" type of data. Here you relate how the piece of
equipment or gadget is built or how you got to some island and set up
that extraordinary station. It's the place for anecdotes, hints and
kinks, and the personal touches.
The concluding part gives the reader a summation of
what was accomplished. In the case of a piece of equipment or gadget,
you would include the results you achieved by using it and how the
reader can use it if he /she builds it. A DXpedition concludes with the
number of contacts, recapping the adventure, possible plans for another
one, and finally the ship or plane departing as the sun sinks on the
horizon.
Footnotes, addenda, and "thank-you's"
tail-end the manuscript. If everyone does their jobs correctly, the
reader has an enjoyable experience. He knows "what it feels
like" to build the whatever without actually building it, or has
taken the trip with you in spirit.
Please pay particular attention to the
"flow" of your article. Does it "travel" in a
logical progression from beginning to end? Does the article generally
follow a chronological sequence? Or do the paragraphs "bounce
around," both in terms of topics and time? This is a very common
problem. Please double-check your final copy to make sure it flows
smoothly, and that you have good transitions between topics. It's always
a good idea to have someone else look it over before you send it in. If
he or she gets confused or dozes off, you've got more work ahead of you.
The Manuscript
Before you start to write, please send us a query
outlining your proposed article (e-mail will get the quickest response).
That way, you'll know whether we're interested and we'll be able to plan
for your article. If you've been published before, please let us know
where; or please attach a sample of your writing. Please be sure to
enclose a self-addressed stamped envelope (SASE) if you are querying by
mail.
Next, be original. We generally publish only original
material that has never been published before. We do make occasional
exceptions, so if what you're submitting to us has been published
elsewhere, you must let us know so that we can arrange all necessary
permissions to reprint it. You must also let us know if you are
submitting your article to more than one publication at a time (this is
generally considered poor practice, by the way), and as soon as one
publication accepts it, you must notify all the others to withdraw it
from consideration.
Now, let's move on to the manuscript itself. If you
think of the manuscript as a term paper, you won't go wrong in terms of
structure. Include a title page. The title page simply has on it the
title you have selected, your name and call, and your mailing and e-mail
addresses. Leave plenty of space between each. (We normally print both
mailing and e-mail addresses. If you want us to leave out either one or
both, please tell us.)
The main body of the manuscript should be typed (or
printed) double-spaced on 8 1/2" x 11" paper. Leave
considerable side margins. The margins will serve as work space for the
editor should your article be accepted for publication. Be sure to leave
plenty of room. If you plan to footnote material, indicate the proper
reference number by raising it over the word or phrase that is footnoted
(for example, Marconi1).
Spelling and grammar count (just like on a term
paper). You won't be graded, but an article that's full of misspelled
words or grammatical errors reflects poorly on your credibility. Be sure
to spell-check, but don't fully trust the spell-checker. A word that's
misspelled into another word won't be caught. Use your eyes, and a
dictionary if there's any doubt.
One exception to the term paper analogy: A magazine
article should be less formal and more conversational than a term paper.
Term papers don't have to be interesting. Magazine articles do (assuming
that you actually want people to read them).
CQ
Computer File Requirements
Articles and columns on disk or via e-mail < cq@cq-amateur-radio.com>
save a lot of grief for everyone. There's no "rekeying"
required, so we can't introduce errors in the process, and we can devote
our time to better pursuits than repeating the work you've already done.
We simply convert the contents of your file to a form with which we can
work. And please make sure to put the article's title and your byline at
the top of the file, and give it a filename related to its topic, not
"cq" or "article."
Please do not embed photos or figures in Word
documents. Not only must we remove them, but we can't pull them out and
save them in a usable form. All artwork must be separate from the
main text.
We use IBM clones and Macs in the office. Our
preferred file types are Microsoft Word or WordPerfect 5.1. If you
cannot produce text in one of these formats, then please save your work
as an ASCII text (.txt) file. Please tell us what format you are using.
For ASCII files, please use a format similar to this: single space
between lines, double space between paragraphs, no indents, no special
layout, text flush left and ragged right (including heads). For tables,
please put a tab between each column entry, with no spaces surrounding
the tab. For instance, a contest score might look like this:
WB2D<tab>A<tab>80838<tab>237<tab>162<return>
If you have any questions regarding format or other
programs, please call the office (516-681-2922) or e-mail us < cq@cq-amateur-radio.com>
before you send in your file.
Illustrations
If you've built something, try to photograph it in
its various stages of construction. If it's physically small or
unusually shaped, try to have an easily recognizable object of
identifiable size photographed with it, so the reader can appreciate its
size in relation to something familiar. Photographs can be supplied to CQ
in the form of prints, slides, or digital files. Prints are preferred
over slides, and do not have to be any specific size (and they can be
color or black and white), but they should be clear and not too dark.
Digital photos should be high resolution (at least 300 dpi) and saved as
.TIF, .JPG, or .GIF files. They may be e-mailed or sent on a 3 1/2"
floppy disk, ZIP disk or CD. Again, if you have any questions, call us
and ask -- before you send your files.
All photographs or slides submitted with an article
must be keyed to a caption or some distinct place in the article where
all of the pertinent things that are seen are described. This includes
names and calls of people, geographic data, technical data on specific
components or circuits that are discussed in the text, and so on.
Drawings are a little bit easier to handle. You do
have to be a better photographer than an artist. Drawings can be redone
by our illustrator, although we sometimes use computer-generated
drawings submitted by authors. (Please check with us for preferred
formats before submitting computer-generated art. Generally, .BMP or .TIF
files are fine; we cannot use CAD-generated art.) All drawings,
mechanicals, and lettering should be neat and easy to read. As with
photographs, drawings should have descriptive captions telling the
reader what he/she is seeing.
Drawings are designated by figure numbers and should
be keyed to specific text areas where they are discussed. Photos are not
keyed by figure numbers unless they happen to have a specific mechanical
sequence. Captions for both photos and drawings should be keyed by
number on a separate page at the end of the manuscript. This page lists
all of the captions in some order and should easily relate to the
particular illustrations.
Construction Articles
If you are planning to write a construction article,
please consider the reader who may live off the beaten path. Wherever
possible, indicate the source, manufacturer, and part number for
components that you have used. If it is not especially critical, or if
you found the little gem in your junkbox, give an equivalent value or
alternative component. Also, please include (at the end) a listing of
contact information for all manufacturers, etc., discussed in your
article. This should include mailing address, phone and fax numbers, and
e-mail and web addresses, if possible.
Also, try to remember that we all may not be as smart
as you are and may need a little more explanation or just a hint of the
theory of why you did what you did. Part of this process involves
teaching to some degree and the piquing of the reader's curiosity to
find out more.
Size
The basic guideline here is to use as many words as
you need to tell your story or describe your project clearly. This
doesn't mean you should ramble on forever, but making your article easy
to follow and easy to understand is more important to us than keeping it
to a certain arbitrary number of words. Without illustrations, it
normally takes about two and a half double-spaced type-written pages to
fill one printed page. Short articles, two or three printed pages, are
always in demand. Longer articles are fit in as space permits. The size
is really up to you. How much interesting material can you write?
Payment
One of the nice things about writing is that if your
article is published, you will be paid for it. Now sometimes it is nice
and ego-satisfying to write for the sheer pleasure of it. It is pleasant
to see your name in print and to be recognized as an author. It's also a
boost to receive reader mail from people who enjoyed your work and
appreciated your effort. It is possible to have all of the above and get
paid for your work at the same time (Some items, such as
"Op-Ed" submissions, are "paid for" in the form of a
complimentary subscription).
You won't get rich writing for CQ or any other
magazine for that matter, so give up those early retirement thoughts.
You will, however, make a little extra money to pay for your projects or
for some extra goodies for yourself and your family. Please include your
Social Security Number on your cover page or at the end of your text. We
can't pay you unless we have it.
Can You Write?
Not everyone is a born writer. Most have to work at
it quite hard. Not everything you eventually write will sell; that's a
fact. You'll never know, though, unless you try. And don't worry -- if
you have good information to share with your fellow hams, we'll work
with you to make the article work.
The next time you're tempted to write a letter asking
why a particular subject you're interested in isn't covered in greater
depth in CQ, think about writing about it yourself. Give it a
shot; it's worth the effort.
Some Do's and Don'ts
Don't
write on the backs of pictures with felt-tip pens. Most of the time the
ink will either "bleed through" or come off on the picture
behind it. It is almost impossible to get the ink off. Don't use a
ballpoint pen, either. The pressure of the point will mess up the front
of the photo. Do write or print descriptions on labels and when you're
sure the ink's dry, apply the labels to the backs of the pictures.
Do
number your manuscript pages consecutively, and if you feel ambitious
you can also add a key to each page. For example, you could also type in
at the top right-hand corner of each page your name and the page number
(i.e., Smith, 2).
Do
try to avoid (wherever possible) the excessive use of formulas, exotic
math, and esoteric references. Unless the article is in the form of a
tutorial, the beauty of an equation is strictly in the eye of the
writer.
Don't leave holes in your text for insertion of
photos and don't embed diagrams at a specific location in the text. Our
art department will take care of layout.
Don't
assume that your manuscript will reach print intact, including the
title. Magazines try to present material to their readers in the best
light, and will often change the title and rework the text. You may be
asked to supply additional materials as well.
Don't be pompous. Fancy words intended to impress
generally don't. Stick to clear, straightforward English.
Don't insult your readers. People don't buy
magazines to be told how stupid they are. They buy magazines because
they want to learn ... and you're the teacher. Do define and explain.
Don't
rest on your laurels. If you can write and have written, write some
more. People for the most part are innately curious and like to find out
what others are doing. Don't
keep it a secret.
Do
look for interesting topics. If you check the literature and find in the
course of a year or so eight articles on logic probes, then it isn't too
likely that the world is waiting for the ninth. See what isn't being
covered and cover it.
Don't
forget to include an SASE with your article with sufficient postage to
ensure safe return should your article not be accepted. While an SASE is
not mandatory for most magazines, it is a polite consideration. Some
authors also tend to include a self-addressed postcard with their
manuscript so that the editor can quickly acknowledge the receipt of the
article and perhaps inform the author of a quick decision of acceptance.
The use of these cards by editors varies; some use them and others
don't.
Don't
forget your reader. If your article is published, there is the
likelihood of your getting mail from readers. The amount of mail will
vary from perhaps one or two letters to scores. Try to answer each
letter. Most people who read your work will never write telling you
whether they feel positive or negative about your article. Don't assume
indifference or lack of interest on their part; it's just the way it is.
After all, when was the last time you contacted an author?
A Few Notes on Style
Our style is to refer to hams on first reference by
full name, a comma, and callsign. For example, "Rich Moseson,
W2VU." Please try not to use "W2VU-Rich," "Rich
(W2VU) Moseson," and other variations. Exception: When referring to
two hams with the same last name, use parentheses on first reference,
e.g., "George (W4AA) and Martha (K4AA) Washington." While
we're on the topic, the words "amateur," "ham" and
"ham radio" generally are not capitalized. Exceptions: when
referring to the Amateur Radio Service (as in the FCC's rules), with or
without the word "service." So you'd capitalize "Amateur
Radio came to the rescue once again..." but not "...as area
hams helped coordinate evacuations." Never write HAM in
all-caps. The term "ham" is neither an abbreviation nor an
acronym.
If you're using metric measurements in an article,
please provide English equivalents as well. (Metric equivalents for
English measurements will be appreciated by our readers outside North
America.)
Please use complete Internet addresses (URLs) and
enclose e-mail and World Wide Web addresses in angle brackets, e.g.,
<cq@cq-amateur-radio.com> or <http://www.cq-amateur-radio.com
>. If you are using Word, do not embed the URLs as
hypertext links. We only have to remove them.
If you're going to be writing regularly, consider
investing in a style manual -- Strunk and White's The Elements of
Style is an industry standard -- and a good "college"
dictionary (such as Webster's New World). Oh, and use them.
A final note: if you have any question about
anything, anytime, feel free to drop us a note or give us a call. Here's
how to get in touch with us:
Mail:
CQ Amateur Radio
25 Newbridge Rd.
Hicksville, NY 11801 USA
Phone: (516) 681-2922
Fax: (516) 681-2926
E-mail: cq@cq-amateur-radio.com
Web: http://www.cq-amateur-radio.com
Rev. 12/99
|