Sport Diver article - required format

Bob has asked a good question about the format the article for Sport Diver should be in.

Just about every editor I have come across wants it presented as simply as possible, single spaced, no indents, no fancy bullets or numbering and in a font they can read when they first open the document. If it's in some weird font and size likely to make their eyes hurt, you instantly increase your chances of it being rejected. They will do all of the fancy stuff to make it look good on their pages.

I'd go for Ariel 11 - easy on the eyes.

And don't worry too much if you haven't done a box out for land based activities, the photojournalist workshop and marine park box outs are the essentials.

As far as a photograph of me is concerned, I'd rather not be in the article. I may discuss this with Mark at a later date - all to do with my "real job."

As mentioned before - the due date is 15th May for the article with box outs and fact file to land in my in box.

Mark needs all entries by the end of May. I'll turn around all of your feedback within 48 hours of receiving it to give you plenty of time to get it sent to me again for a final once over, check for any glaring issues, and then it will be forwarded to Mark. He will decide which article will be published - I will not try and influence him in any way.

Keep writing

Brendan

Comments

[David Kittos]

Hi Brendan

I have a question about using external sources for the Marine Parks boxout.

There is a bit of info on the web about Marine Parks etc but it is mostly of an academic nature.

Do we need a written permission from the authors to include some of this information (not word for word obviously) in our boxout? Or is it enough to have a list of sources at the end of the box out?

If we were to use the substance of the information with our own words do we have to refer to the precise source or can we say "according to academics involved with..." or something similar?

thx

DK

[Brendan]

Hi David,

thanks for the comment, the first on the site!

For the marine parks box out, did you use any of the information that was freely available in the toilets at Atlantis? (Anyone who hasn't stayed there must think this comment a bit wierd - might be worth a post to explain?)

As you research something like this you'll find plenty of generic information to paraphrase. For example, the year it was established, who by, for what objectives, how big. I wouldn't quote any of that or reference it other to say how, PG marine park Co. established the park in 199? in order to, "Protect ......."

You may need to quote some information that is specific, otherwise you will be committing the cardinal sin of plagerism. It may go along these lines, "since the park was established we've seen a 21% increase in the fish population," claimed Dr Marine Boy. However, it would appear that the local community, who are economically reliant on fishing have yet to see the benefits, Fish Catcher, the head of the PG fishing coalition said, "although we understand the need for a marine park, it's still getting harder to land the type of catch that will pay the bills." But at least the fishermen understand the need for a marine park, and although the park hasn't quite achieved its objectives yet, shouldn't this achievement be cause for celebration?

Does that help explain? Or have I gone and thrown you by writing my version of what the box out could contain? Feel free to use it as a source of inspiration, or if you think it's rubbish - don't!

Keep writing

Brendan

[David Kittos]

thx for the tips Brendan. I have the info about Apo Island and I was going to use it/refer to it. I can start writing my boxout...

DK

[David Kittos]

Brendan

is the limit of 500 words for boxouts (specifically Marine Parks) set in stone? There is so much to talk about!! Can I go up to 600 words with this?

thx

DK

[Brendan O'Brien]

Hi David,

you can do 600 words if you want, remember, there are no hard and fast rules. But here's my tip, check the back issues of Sport Diver - have they ever had a box out of more than 500 words? If you do 600 all you will be doing is to create work for the editor. How popular will your copy be?
Welcome to the world of subbing your own stuff. :)

[David Kittos]

Brendan

When writing articles for diving magazines, are personal accounts unacceptable? I am reading my latest draft and there are definitely a lot of "I"s and "me"s in the article.

The book about Travel Writing says that this is a common mistake by beginner travel writers. Apparently only celebrities can get away with this!

What do you think?

thx

DK

[David Kittos]

Hi Brendan

2 more questions about the article for SD - this time about the photographs.

a. Are we expected to provide signed Model Release Forms? I know they are common place in the US but I am not sure about the UK situation.

b. If I submit 15 photographs (which I shot myself) with the article but only 5 get published, does SD have rights over the other 10? I'm asking this because I may want to use them in future for other articles or u/w photography competitions.

Excellent blog - very informative!

thx

DK

[Brendan O'Brien]

David,

as long as everyone you've taken a picture of knows what you are doing, and you're taking pictures in public (where it is in that domain) then UK diving magazines will be OK. No need to provide a model release. There's bound to be someone who will disagree, but in 12 years I've never had a problem with this issue.

Second question - I wouldn't ever use a published photo in any other magazine, however, I would use it for competitions. As for the unused pictures, no problem for future articles for other magazines.

Hope this helps

Brendan