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Thanks for your interest in contributing to Indie-Music.com.
We publish articles from freelance writers with hands-on experience
in the music industry and CD reviews from talented music enthusiasts.
Our monthly magazine publishes substantial freelance material
and is committed to helping freelance music writers succeed.
Our audience consists of professional and amateur musicians,
music industry pros like radio and concert promoters, managers,
agents, small record labels. "Indie" means independent
- and we cover independent/unsigned/local musicians and bands
of all genres. We run how-to articles, music reviews, artist
profiles, commentary, and promotional ideas. No "superstar"
mainstream artists are covered.
Quick Facts:
- 70% freelance written
- Monthly publication
- Online only
- Prefers exclusive material
- Byline Given: Yes
- Rights Purchased: First North American Serial Rights,
First Rights, One-Time Rights, Second Serial (Reprint)
Rights, Makes some Work-for-Hire Assignments
Types of submissions accepted:
Articles:
- Essays - music, music industry, arts, creativity
- How-to - play instruments, have a successful independent
music career, tour, etc.
- Opinion - latest music industry topics, arts careers,
music careers
- Personal Experience - of musicians, music industry career
- Technical - recording, live sound, computer music, promotion
of music, etc.
Reviews:
- Interview/Profile/Review - independent musicians, producers,
promoters, etc.
Types of submissions NOT accepted:
- News or reviews of famous superstar musicians
- Self-promoting articles or reviews (rare exceptions)
- Articles where the music industry is not the major focus
- Anything not relevent to to working or aspiring musicians
- Simultaneous submissions to other publications are not
eligible for payment
Article Submission Details
-
Buys: 10-40 manuscripts per year
- Word Length: 800-3000 words
-
Writer should send complete manuscript or
query with developed article idea to Jennifer Layton,
Assistant Editor, writers@indie-music.com
- Include a one paragraph author biography detailing your
music business experience
-
Pays: $20-$300 for assigned articles, $10-$200
for unsolicited articles
- We will publish short bio and picture at the end of the
article, including a link to your website
- Accepts previously published submissions - but these submissions
are not eligible for pay
- Accepts simultaneous submissions - but these submissions
are not eligible for pay
- Publishes Manuscripts: Average 1-2 months after submission
- Reports in 2-3 weeks on queries, 1-2 months on manuscripts
- Editorial Lead Time: 3-4 months
- Submit Seasonal Material: 3-4 months in advance
-
We occasionally offer writers free web hosting
or promotion on our site in exchange for writing.
-
We occasionally pay expenses of writers
on assignment.
"Chops" How-To Articles
We accept articles about playing technique, gear, or
other "Chops" related topics. This is a great
opportunity for musicians who have always wanted to pass
along their skill, but never had a forum. We cover Bass,
Drums, Vocals, Guitars, Keyboard, Recording, and Live
Sound. We are also open to other topic ideas. Chops articles
may appear on Indie-Music.com's home page, as well as
the front page of the Category you submit to (such as
Guitar) for the entire month they are featured. Afterward,
your article will remain archived.
Music Business/Technical How-To Articles
We are interested in articles that help musicians, such
as "How to Write a Bio" or "Booking Your
Band in the Midwest". We do not accept articles that
are blatant promotions for your business, although it
is fine to include a mention and a link to your website.
Articles may appear on Indie-Music.com's home page, as
well as the front page of the Music Business Category
for the entire month they are featured. Afterward, your
article will remain archived.
Opinion/Interviews/Essays/Current Events/Personal Experience
Articles
Anyone can submit an opinion article. We do not accept
articles that are blatant promotions for your business,
although it is fine to include a mention and a link to
your website. Articles may appear on Indie-Music.com's
home page, as well as the front page of the corresponding
Category for the entire month they are featured. Afterward,
your article will remain archived. You can submit an article
on any topic you like, as long as it is related to musicians
or the music business.
Reviews and Columns Submission Details
- Buys: 200 CD Reviews and 10 Product Reviews per year
- Writer should query with published clips to Jennifer Layton,
Assistant Editor, writers@indie-music.com
- Word count: 300-800 words
- Pays: $5-$100
- CD Reviews are purchased as Works-For-Hire
- Publishes Reviews: Average 1-2 months after submission
- Responds in 1-2 weeks on queries
- Regular writers earn increasing exposure and recognition
on the website.
Independent Music CD Reviews
Slant: We serve the musicians as opposed to the consumer.
Our review philosophy is to be supportive of artists.
Each writer has the option of not reviewing a particular
CD if they find it extremely bad or distasteful. We like
to avoid such depressing generalizations as "This
band sucks so badly they should go back to the garage!".
If you hate it, don't bother reviewing it. A hateful,
sarcastic review does not help the musicians. However,
constructive criticism is encouraged, along with praise
for a band's music. We believe genuine criticism is useful
for artistic growth, and is one of the greatest services
Indie-Music.com can provide. Your reviews will remain
archived on Indie-Music.com, and cannot be re-printed
elsewhere except as promotional quotes for the artist
or label. Quotes from your reviews may be reprinted if
attributed to Indie-Music.com.
Procedure: We supply the music CDs to you via US Mail.
You submit online and email a cover graphic (only if requested)
to writers@indie-music.com
Product Reviews
Slant: Musical instruments and equipment, music and
audio software, online music services, books about music.
Procedure: Query Jennifer Layton, Assistant Editor, writers@indie-music.com,
before submitting product reviews. You should obtain your
own products for review, although we occasionally make
assignments.
Photos
- Freelancers should send photos with submissions
- Acceptable formats: electronic .jpg or .gif files.
- CD Reviews: Do not submit CD cover graphics unless requested.
- Offers no extra payment for photos (rare exceptions)
- Required: Identification of subjects in all photos.
- Photo Rights Purchased: One-Time Rights
- Photos to Jennifer Layton, writers@indie-music.com
Contact & Submission Information
Acceptable Submission Formats
- Online submission form - Click
Here
- Plain text via email to writers@indie-music.com
- HTML Document - Clean code only! No MS Word or FrontPage
files.
- Adobe Acrobat PDF - must be copy-paste enabled.
- CD-ROM via US Mail - send plain text and photos
- NOT ACCEPTABLE: MS Word Documents, MS FrontPage
HTML Documents, Other Design or Layout Programs' Files
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