The AHRMA MAG thanks all our loyal contributors for the monthly columns, race recaps, regional reports and quality photos. Assembling each monthly issue is time consuming, copy editing articles, selecting photos, captioning photos, rounding up photo credits, identifying riders and tracking down missing race recaps. Submission deadlines are always published on the AHRMA website and facebook pages. The following are some guidelines for everyone to follow. One of our goals is to expand membership, and the AHRMA MAG is one of our recruiting tools. We want the MAG to be a MAGnet, and you are a vital part of our team.
Submission deadline: The deadline for all submissions is the 10th of the month preceding the issue publication month.
Submit all content to: ahrmamag@ahrma.org
Thanks, once again, for being part of our team.
Stephanie Vetterly, AHRMA Publications Editor
Article, Story and Race Recap Submission Guidelines
Race recaps:
Regional coordinators are responsible for assigning someone to handle the race recaps and photography for each event/discipline prior to the scheduled event (at least two weeks in advance) so the spirit of the event can be captured in real time, not after the fact where valuable content and experiences can be missed.
National race recap word count: 1000 words minimum and 2000 words maximum.
Regional race recap word count: 750 words minimum and 1000 words maximum.
Non-race related article/special interest story word count: 1000 words minimum and 2000 words maximum
Monthly AHRMA Directors’ columns: 500 words maximum.
Note: Word counts that differ from the recommended need to be coordinated through the AHRMA MAG editor prior to submission.
Consistent word counts help in the final layout, ensuring the recap is long enough to be a ‘story’ and keeps the article sizes consistent page to page and issue to issue. Recaps should be submitted as a Word document (.doc/.docx) or if needed, in the body of an email.
Recap writing tips:
To simplify the copyediting of articles we receive, here are some rules to follow when creating text.
- Make sure the various class names referenced are correct and not abbreviated.
- Do not use any other abbreviations (although you may abbreviate states).
- Numbers 1 through 9 should be spelled (e.g., one through nine). It’s okay to use 1 through 9 when listing trials points or moto finishes (e.g., 1-1, 3-4, 5-2, etc.).
- Commas should be inserted after states, whether they are spelled completely or abbreviated, if they are used in the middle of a sentence.
- Do not add ‘s (apostrophe s) to a word if it is plural. The ‘s is only used for possessives.
- Limit the use of the ellipsis (…). This punctuation should only be used to indicate missing text or a continuation of thought that tapers off or ends prematurely.
- Use double spaces between sentences.
- Be sure to highlight any changes in updates to or resubmissions of articles you have already submitted.
Race recap photos:
- Those assigned to write the race recap need to connect and collaborate with, prior to or at the event, to make sure the necessary images are captured.
- Race recap photos should include a document (word document or email) identifying the photographers’ names, rider identification and, if possible, brief captions. We encourage the mention of the types of motorcycles ridden by the competitors. This helps the non-member relate to their past experiences which may plant a seed for their potential future involvement with AHRMA.
- Note: In some situations where large groups of photos are shot during an event, photo captions can be withheld and added once the final photos are selected for the layout. In these situations, communicate the adjustment with the editor.
- Photos should be taken from as many different riding angles and locations (we are aware this is sometimes difficult or impossible). Group shots are preferred over individual rider photos. We need a variety for the magazine photo spreads. Submit at least 20 racing photos and an additional collection of non-racing event photos to show the spirit of the event when possible.
- Photos should be submitted at the same time as the race recap.
- Photos should be submitted in .jpg format at the original (native) resolution of the device they were originally taken on. Do not downsize or use high compression. While high compression lowers file size and makes it easier to transfer, it negatively affects image quality.
Image compression:
In Photoshop, compression ranges from 1-12, with 1 being the highest compression/smallest files size and 12 the lowest compression and largest files size. We recommend a compression of 10. Each .jpg image submitted should be between 3MB and 10MB in size. Larger file sizes are acceptable due to the ever-growing quality of images, but smaller file sizes need to be reviewed before acceptance and publishing.
Image resolution:
Pro DSLR images: 5760 x 3840 (22.3 MP)
Phone images: 4032 x 3024 pixels (12 MP)
Image resolution should never be below 2688 x 1520 pixels. Exceptions can be made, but it’s never optimal and images will need to be reviewed by magazine staff.
Image editing:
Images should be submitted as they were originally photographed, which includes no editing, cropping or tweaking of any kind. If a photographer must make edits prior to submitting, we request that they are minimal and they refrain from cropping, as the extra space can be critical to the magazine layout. Basically, where you see extra unnecessary space, we see room for copy overlay. So, please don’t take that away.
Submitting images:
Images can be submitted in many different ways. Historically, submitting images via email has been popular, but it is far from a consistent option and we prefer to steer clear of it for more than a few images. Email systems can sometimes downsize images, lower quality, and in general, negatively affect the images being transferred.
The preferred methods of submitting images are via wetransfer.com or a dropbox.com link. wetransfer.com is a third-party website that currently offers a free 2GB transfer option and it’s quite simple to use. Dropbox also offers a simple sharing option but requires you to set-up an account. Currently, wetransfer.com is the best solution for submitting images, especially a large quantity of images
Note: If you have never used wetransfer.com, we are happy to help you navigate it, just ask.
Submit all content to: ahrmamag@ahrma.org
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