New England Antiques Journal
Writers’ Guidelines 2012
Thank you for your interest in New England Antiques Journal. We hope you will find the following guidelines helpful.
Once you’ve sorted through this all, if you have an idea, e-mail Judy Penz Sheluk, Senior Editor at antiquesjournal@rogers.com.
Personal Style
The reader-friendliness of our writing is one important way by which we try to distinguish ourselves from our competitors. We want our writing to be welcoming and accessible. Here are some guidelines (not rules, mind you) that should help:
- Think of your audience as listening rather than reading. Read your first draft aloud and change any expressions that come awkwardly off the tongue. Give your writing your own tone of voice. Avoid sounding too academic or curatorial.
- The first paragraph is crucial. Remember that most readers will not be inherently interested in your topic. Your first paragraph should make most of them want to continue reading.
- Accessible writing style:
- Paragraphs, Sentences, and Words: Always aim for shorter rather than longer.
- Minimize use of the passive. Use it only with good reason.
- Avoid the impersonal subject: “it” should rarely be the actor-subject of a sentence.
- Small chunks. Modern readers have short attention spans and like their information in small chunks. Use subheadings to break your writing into shorter sections of 4 to 6 paragraphs. Use sidebars. Use photo captions to explain rather than merely identify. Some readers will look at pictures and captions only – make sure they get something worthwhile.
- Don’t shy away from “I,” particularly for opinions, anecdotes and emotions. The personal pronoun can create a personal relationship with your reader. The same goes for “you”: addressing the reader directly can often work well. But don’t overuse.
House Style
Basically, both publications use AP Style.
Specifically, our style guidelines for writing about antiques are as follows:
Centuries: Spell centuries, and hyphenate when used as an adjective:
“Nineteenth-century designs persisted into the twentieth century”
Circa: Refers to a time-span of about 10 years on either side. Use “c.” and follow by dates ending in -0 or -5. Do not capitalize, do not use ca. Do not use with dates giving a time-span: c. 1760 – 1790. Preferred use is in parenthesis or between commas. In running text use “about,” “around,” or “between…and…”
“This saber-legged chair, c. 1830, was made in Baltimore.”
“This saber-legged chair was made about 1830 in Baltimore.”
“This saber-legged chair was made in Baltimore between 1820 and 1840.”
Decades: e.g. 1850s
Periods and styles: Capitalize major periods and styles
Federal, Pilgrim, Arts & Crafts, Gothic Revival.
“Tracery copied from gothic cathedrals was a common motif in Gothic Revival furniture.”
Numbers: Spell from “one” to “nine”, use figures from “10” upward.
Dimensions: Spell “feet” and “inches”
States: Spell out the state name, do not use postal abbreviations, except in an address. “Jane and Joe Antiques, of Stowe, Vermont, showed a….”
Formatting
Range left.
Do not indent new paragraphs.
Do not leave a line between paragraphs. [yes we know it looks cluttered but that’s what we need for our formatting machine]
Leave one space before a subhead.
Do not double-space after the period at the end of a sentence.
Italicize all titles – books, magazines, exhibits
Photographs
Hi-resolution digital photographs are essential. You will be advised upon assignment the number required. Expect to provide a minimum of six. |
