Freelance
Writer's Guidelines
Queries and Submissions:
Because of the specialized nature of the colored stone trade, Colored Stone
prefers to receive queries on story ideas before the manuscript itself is submitted.
Correspondents: The bulk of the articles published in each issue are
generated from leads gathered by Colored Stone staff and assigned to one
of a standard list of writers. If you do not have a specific story proposal, but
would like to be considered for a story assignment, send your resume, and writing
samples to the Editor at the below address. We also have "foreign correspondent"
positions available for freelance writers in gem-producing or gem-trading centers
outside the United States.
Readership:
People in the wholesale end of the jewelry business, principally manufacturing
jewelers and jewelry designers, retail jewelers, and gemstone dealers.
Subjects:
The magazine is divided into three sections. "Style" covers jewelry
design, new gemstones on the market, fashion or design trends, and designer/company
profiles. "Selling" is geared toward retail sales, but discusses trends
that impact retail sales rather than generic "top ten selling tips"
types of articles. "Sources" covers gemstone sources, including mining,
gemstone cutting, gemology, and gem treatments.
Style:
We try to take a conversational, informal, "insider" approach to our
articles that may include humor as long as it's not excessive. For examples of
the types of articles we publish, visit our Web site at www.Colored-Stone.com.
NOTE: Because we are a trade magazine, our articles assume familiarity with the
gem business, as well as a certain pre-knowledge about different types of colored
gemstones, their sources, and how they are marketed and sold. If you are not familiar
with the trade, we can provide background information for any articles we assign,
and can also recommend some general reference books.
Length:
Features: 1,400 to 1,600 words; departments 700-900 words; news briefs 200-300
words.
Artwork:
Transparencies, slides, and prints. All photographs should be labeled and include
captions. We cannot scan photos from pre-printed material such as postcards, brochures,
or magazine pages.
Submissions of digital photos on CD-ROM or Zip disks are fine, as are e-mail submissions.
All pictures must be a minimum of 266 dpi at the size the picture will run in
the magazine. If you do not understand what this means or how to determine the
resolution of a digital image, please ask before submitting. We cannot take pictures
directly from Web sites unless they are high-resolution downloads.
Manuscripts:
E-mail submissions preferred, especially from writers outside the United States.
Story text should be pasted into the body of the e-mail message rather than sent
as an attached file.
Conditions:
Writers must be able to substantiate any and all material as accurate. All articles
are subject to editing. All material shall be submitted solely and exclusively
for publication in Colored Stone, unless approved by the Editor in advance. Writers
must sign a copyright agreement form before publication.
Fees:
Payment is generally on a per-article rather than a per-word basis; fees are negotiated
through the Editor. Fees generally run at 20-25 cents per word, depending on the
complexity of the article, the experience of the writer, and the cost of living
in the writer's home base. We pay a $15 finder's fee per photo submitted by the
author and published. Phone/fax expenses are reimbursed upon submission of the
phone bill; other expenses may be reimbursed with the pre-approval of the Editor.
Direct all inquiries to: David Federman, Editor-in-Chief, Colored
Stone, 300 Chesterfield Parkway, Suite 100, Malvern, PA 19355 USA, (610) 232-5700,
fax (610) 232-5756, e-mail (click here).
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Internships
at Colored Stone
*Editorial Internship Description: Interns will be exposed to the editorial
side of the magazine publishing field. Duties include editorial research, proofreading,
trafficking or soliciting photos, typing, and assisting staff with special projects.
The internship may also include work on the magazine’s Web site. We are willing
to work with any interested student with respect to time frame and daily schedule.
We have used the internship program with great success and have hired seven interns
full time.
*Business Internship Description: Interns will be exposed to the business
side of the magazine publishing field. Duties include administrative support,
vendor research/calls, proofreading, A/P and A/R support and assisting staff with
special projects. We are willing to work with any interested student with respect
to time frame and daily schedule.
Publication Description: Colored Stone is a bimonthly trade magazine
that covers the international colored gemstone market. Readership is primarily
colored gem buyers and sellers, miners, jewelry manufacturers, and retail jewelers.
In addition to the magazine itself, Colored Stone publishes three gem and
jewelry trade show directories each year.
Colored Stone is owned by Interweave
Press. Included among its magazines are Beadwork, Knits, American Artist,
and FiberArts. In business since 1975, Interweave Press publishes a
growing number of magazines and many books related to fiber, thread, needlework,
and beads. Throughout Interweave's evolution, its publications have focused on
natural materials and processes, a respect for "doing," and an appreciation
of the fine, simple things in life. Interweave is dedicated to creating a resource
for its readers to find the best information in their field of interest—the
latest news, the best products, the newest techniques, and the history behind
them.
Location: Malvern, Pennsylvania (approximately 25 miles from Center
City Philadelphia). Offices are a short bus ride from the Paoli train station
(which is on the R5 Paoli/Downingtown local line).
Salary: An end-of-internship stipend is provided; the amount varies
based on the length of the internship.
Available: Fall and/or summer semesters.
Applicant Criteria: Applicants should be highly motivated, able to work
independently, and flexible. For Editorial internships, prior writing courses/experience
a plus but not a necessity.
Deadline: None. Applicants are accepted throughout the year.
Application Procedure: Applicants for Editorial positions should
mail or fax a resume and cover letter to: David Federman, Editor-in-Chief, 300
Chesterfield Parkway, Suite 100, Malvern, PA 19355, fax (610) 232-5756. For questions,
phone (610) 232-5700 or e-mail (click
here).
For Business positions, mail or fax a resume and cover letter to: Kathy
McIntyre, Office Manager, 300 Chesterfield Parkway, Suite 100, Malvern, PA 19355,
fax (610) 232-5754. For questions, phone (610) 232-5700 or e-mail
(click here).
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