ership. When we evaluate articles we look at the quality of accompany-
ing photos and illustrations (diagrams, drawings, etc.), content of the how-to-material, and finally, the
writing style. If the photos and content are good, the article can be worked on by our staff, if necessary,
to improve its readability.
What kind of material are you looking for?
First and foremost, our readers like how-to material; how-to paint, how-to scratchbuild, how-to chop a
roof, etc. Basically, our readers want to know how to make their own models better. Therefore, any help
or advice you can offer is what modelers want to read.
Features on your own modeling projects also make worth article topics. A step-by-step write-up with
clear, close-up photos can relay techniques and shortcuts to other modelers.
However, we also do use articles other than how-tos, contest coverage, reviews, and features on specific
models. Model company histories, features on collectibles, and personal profiles are also used in our
magazine. Any other modeling related article is always welcome.
How long should I make my article?
For the most part articles should be brief; usually in the neighborhood of 750 to 3000 words. Readers
want to know how you wired your engine, not how you built up an entire junk yard complete with 75
cars. However, if you do have a topic worthy of more than 3000 words, go for it. We might turn it into a
two- or three-part feature. Just remember that readers won't stay with you for four or five pages of text
unless you can KEEP IT INTERESTING. Writing a short article focusing on a particular model or
modeling technique is your best bet.
What about writing style?
As stated above, we don't expect our contributors to be professional writers. Scale Auto is a modeling
magazine, not a literary journal. However, you should try to follow these guidelines. If at all possible,
give your article a hook - something to grab the reader's interest in the first paragraph. Then run with
this theme throughout the whole article. Sometimes this is very easy because the whole focus of an arti-
cle is to make a particular point. Interesting articles that have a point or theme tend to be read more
thoroughly. Let your personality come through in your writing and keep it simple and direct. Our read-
Scale Auto Magazine
21027 Crossroads Circle
P.O. Box 1612
Waukesha, WI 53187 ers want a clear description of what you did, how you did it, and what tools and materials you used. The
best way to do this is to write as if you were telling a friend how to duplicate your modeling project.
Also, organize your article in a step-by-step manner. Start at the beginning and end at the end.
Don't be afraid to tell how specific products performed for your project. Also, it is very helpful if you
include a list of references and a list of sources for the materials you used.
How shall I prepare my article?
Manuscripts should be typed using upper and lower case letters, pages should be double spaced, and
your name should be on each numbered page. If using a typewriter, make sure the ribbon still provides a
dark readable copy, and that the letters are sharp and clean-looking. If using a word processor, print the
manuscript in letter quality (or near letter quality) rather than draft mode.
If you don't type, perhaps you can trade favors with someone who does. If you MUST write your article
longhand, printing in upper and lower case letters is preferred, with legible script the next best thing. If
you use a computer word processing program and your article is very lengthy, you may want to try sub-
mitting a copy of your article on computer disk. To do so, store your file in the ASCII code.
Whether typing or hand-writing your article, please re-read it and make any corrections or changes
before sending it to us. Are product names spelled correctly? Are your instructions in the correct order?
Page space is limited; is the article "wordy" or is it to the point?
What kind of photos should I send?
Photo quality and content are very important when considering an article for publication. Often an oth-
erwise good article must be rejected because of poor photo quality.
The first step is to take good, sharp, in-focus close-up photos. Send us the glossy-finished black and
white prints or color transparencies (35mm slides or larger). Please also send us the negatives of your
photos, regardless of the photo quality. We may be able to make prints in our lab that are usable even if
your original prints weren't great. When we have negatives, we are also covered if something should
happen to the original prints. Captions for photos should also be included.
If you plan on doing a how-to article, make sure to take pictures DURING the actual building of the
project. It is very difficult, if not impossible, to write and photograph a how-to article after the model
has been completed. These photos should be taken on a plain background; white or light grey are good.
Also, the more photos you send, taken from a variety of views, the better choice we have in putting
together an outstanding article layout. Send us more photos than you would ever possibly imagine we
could use. This permits us to pick and chose the best of the bunch. TOO MANY IS ALWAYS BET-
TER THAN TOO FEW.
What if my article needs drawings and/or illustrations?
You don't have to be a draftsman or a professional artist to send drawings, patterns, or illustrations along
with your text. However, it is important that our artists have a detailed rough drawing to work from.
Make your rough drawings neat and clear, using a straight edge whenever possible. If you are able to
supply camera-ready artwork you will qualify for a higher rate of pay than if your work has to be
redrawn.
Some pictures in Scale Auto include arrows, circles, and word labels to explain the elements of a dia-
gram. You can suggest such pointers by marking them on an attached tracing paper overlay. The most important thing to remember when doing drawings is to MAKE THE DRAWINGS UNDER-
STANDABLE. You may know how to detail all the apparatus of a fire truck, but our artists usually
don't. If you can make your drawing or diagram understandable to us, we will be able to make it under-
standable to our readers. How shall my manuscript be packaged for mailing?
Now that the article has been typed, photos taken, drawings finished, it's ready to be mailed to us. If pictures are includ-
ed, place a stiff piece of cardboard in the envelope so the photos won't bend. If you are sending a computer disk, please
include a printout of the text so we can cross reference when necessary. And finally, if you want any of the materials
back, please include a large envelope with sufficient return postage.
After all this work, do I get paid?
Payment is by the page and is made after publication. The per-page rate is determined by the quality of the article and
photos, and whether or not we have to do a lot or work on the piece to make it usable. We do pay, but don't quit your
regular job yet! (And if, after reading these guidelines, it just sounds like too much work but you really do have a sharp
model or two you'd like to share, you might consider submitting photos of them for possible inclusion on one of the
pages of Gallery - all fame, no fortune.)
Please send all material to:
Kalmbach Publishing Co.
Scale Auto magazine
21027 Crossroads Circle
Waukesha, WI 53187-1612