Article/Project Submission Guidelines
You Can Get Published in the Gourdzette Newsletter!
Now is your time to shine! Expose your work to an online
community of thousands of readers who love gourds by becoming
a Featured Artist.
If you are interested in getting your work featured in
the Gourdzette newsletter or on the California Gourds web
site, submit one of your projects by following the guidelines
listed below.
In addition, if your submission meets specific industry
standards your project could be submitted to other professional
arts and craft oriented publications. The editorial department
at California Gourds will do all the legwork for you!
We also welcome any and all gourd related articles.
Please read through the Frequently Asked Questions below in order to get a better understanding of the submission process. (We suggest that you print this page and read through it completely)
Types of Projects Accepted:
1. Full Feature Projects (Click
here for an example)
2. Short Feature Projects (Click
here for an example)
Submission Guidelines:
Project submission is easy! Here is what you will need to include when you send in your project:
- First and last name
- Address
- Daytime phone number
- E-mail address
- Title of the project
- Indicate whether short or long length project
- Skill level
- Short description of the project
- Estimated completion time
- Complete list of tools and supplies
For Short Length projects: all of the above plus one or two photos of the finished product. (see below for required photo format and file type) To see a sample Short Length project, click here.
For Full Length projects: all of the above plus a minimum of three photos to show the various steps, and at least one photo of the finished product. (see below for required photo format and file type) To see a sample Full Length project, click here.
Photographs
-Digital images: the file type must be .jpeg; resolution should be 300 dpi; NO compressed files please.
-Prints: 4x6, 5x7, or 8x10
Project Format
MS Word document
When creating lists such as for the supplies, use single column lists with NO TABS please! (tables are fine, as long as there are no tabs within the text)
Submit to:
Email
submissions@gourdzette.com
Regular Mail
California Gourds
31752 Pepper Tree St.
Winchester, CA 92596
Important Note:
We will not be sending back any materials that are submitting to us. So if you are mailing hard copies to us, please make sure you do not send us originals.
Projects Currently in Demand:
Kids Projects
Shekere
Pyrography (woodburning)
Project Topics include but are not limited to:
JEWELRY GOURD PROJECTS
any projects using 1 to 3 inch diameter gourds
Wreaths - for the wall or table centerpiece
Christmas or Holiday Ornaments
Finger Puppets
Mobile - for crib or kids project
KIDS PROJECTS
Rattles
Drums
Masks
Birdhouses
Ornaments
Vases, Bowls
Animals, People, Critters, Figurines
Mini Nativity Scene
Automobiles, Aircraft, Spaceships
Puppets
MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS
Shekere
Drums - Kayum and Ipu Heke
Berimbau
Rattles
Kalimba - thumb piano
Flutes
HAWAIIAN PROJECTS
Ikaika Helmets
Ipu
Ipu Hula
Water Bottles
Fishing Hook Containers
Decorative Painting
Woodburning/Pyrography
Decoupage
Inlay
Weaving
Article Submissions:
We are always looking for future article ideas and submissions. The topics can be anything related to gourds and gourd crafting. There may be compensation for your article, but please contact us first. However, if you are an artist or own and/or manage an arts and crafts related website, your site information will be included with the article. If you do not have a web site, your contact information can be included. This is free promotion for you!!
All articles will be considered based on content, and whether they match the topics we need.
To inquire about an article submission of any kind, please send us an email to editor@gourdzette.com.
IMPORTANT NOTICE:
We apologize, but due to the number of submissions, we cannot personally respond to each submission. This applies for both project and article submissions. We will only contact you if your article or project is being considered for publication. We appreciate your submissions. It is your interest and support that keeps us doing what we love!
Frequently Asked Questions:
Q: What will the finished project be used for?
A: There are several ways the project will be used. We may choose to use it as the feature article in our e-mail newsletter, 'The Gourdzette,' we may choose to turn it into an electronic download type off our web site, we may offer it as a free give-away to people visiting our web site or with related pre-boxed items, we may print it out and offer it as part of a Gourd Special, or any other way we can think of! Anyway you look at it, you, as the artist, are sure to get great publicity off our marketing efforts!
Q: Who retains the copyright for the projects?
A: YOU retain the rights to all your work. We would like
to retain non-exclusive rights. This means we can offer
if for free, or use it in any other way, but we cannot sell
the rights to anyone else (in other words, someone could
not pay us for the rights to sell your product). We also
require a waiting period. We request you do not publish
or sell the project for 12 months once your project is published
by California Gourds. (For full details on the limited copyright,
click here)
Q: Would I be able to submit the pattern to a crafting/painting magazine also?
A: Yes! You retain full rights to your work, and you may use it any way you see fit! However, once your work is published we do ask that you kindly respect the 12 month waiting period before submitting to other publications. (For full details on the limited copyright, click here)
Q: Would I get credit for the designs, particularly if they were published on the Web or in other publications?
A: Absolutely! The benefit of submitting your projects is the opportunity to receive GREAT publicity! You are always credited for any and all work you submit.
Q: Do I get paid if you use my project?
A: No, however, in exchange for your submission, credit
for the article and promotion of your website and/or product
will be published along with the article.
Q: You say you need pictures sent to you - do you mean digital or printed?
A: Either digital or prints work fine! If you are sending digital, it is best to save them on a CD and mail the CD with your project. Part of the reason for this is, the pictures need to be fairly high resolution; high resolution also equals large file size, which means sloooow download times with e-mail.
Q: What types of photos are required (snapshot, professional shots only, slides, digital)?
A: One of the most important parts of the project, if not THE most important part, is the photos. Professional shots are, of course, ideal. However, don't despair if you cannot get professional photos. Photos taken at home can work just fine. The most important factors are, they must be in focus, they must be well lit, they must be on a plain, solid background, and they must be high resolution. If you are taking the photos yourself and do not have a studio, be sure to take them outdoors and in an area where there are NO SHADOWS! Also, do not place the gourd in front of any complex backgrounds that will interfere with the photo.
Q: Am I supposed to take pictures, etc. as I go along?
A: For Full Length projects - YES. The idea is to create a step-by-step project with photos representing the various stages of the project. We spoke to one professional designer who informed us she creates a worksheet for her projects, particularly for painting projects. If appropriate, a worksheet may be substituted for photographs. However, high quality pictures that show the entire piece are preferred and will assist in making your project more professional.
For Short Length projects that are simple and direct, usually one quality photo of the complete project is sufficient. However, if you feel certain steps require visual representation, include photos of the process.
If you are still confused about the photo and/or worksheet requirement, just go to any craft store and browse through the books and magazines. You will see exactly how these professional projects are done, which is what we are also looking for.
Q: Do you have to be a wonderful artist to submit projects or are you looking for people with all different talent levels?
A: Any talent level may submit. The most important thing to keep in mind that the project you submit should be something that people can easily follow and the steps and directions are straightforward and easy to understand.
Q: What determines the compensation for the Full Feature Project?
A: The criteria for the Full Feature Project is a well written project with easy to follow step-by-step instructions (project must include enough steps so that the reader does not get lost or confused); should be submitted as a MS Word document (saved on a floppy disk or CD).
You can click on this link to see an example of a Full Feature Project.
- Major steps are accompanied by photos of professional quality (professional lighting) - photos can be mailed as prints or on a CD in digital format as .jpg files, high resolution
- a pattern is provided, if necessary
- a list of necessary materials is provided, along with the source of where to buy things if they are specialty items
- an estimated time to complete project is provided
Q: What criteria do you have for the Short Feature Project?
A: The Short Feature Project should be a well written project with easy to follow step-by-step instructions similar to the above-mentioned requirements. The short project should be just that- short! It should have fewer steps than the Full Feature Project and should be less involved.
You can click on this link to see an example of a Short Feature Project.
Q: When you say the projects must be original, what do you mean?
A: It must be your own work and ideas. It is fine if you gather your ideas by looking at other people's work, as long as you do not copy it outright. If it is a project that has been previously published, please clear it with us beforehand.
Q: Do you accept projects from other Countries? (Canada, Mexico, Germany)
A: Yes, as long as the project is written is English and meets the standards for submission.
Publisher's Mission Statement:
Our intention is to provide our readers with quality craft projects that are straightforward and easy to understand. We would like our projects to be informative, interesting and to provide inspiration for all levels of gourd crafters.
Copyright & Terms:
The author hereby grants to California Gourds, the right
to publish and re-publish the submitted material, in whole
or in part, in any form of media now known or hereafter
developed, and to also use it for promotional purposes at
California Gourds discretion.
The publisher's rights herein granted include the right
to edit, revise, abridge and/or condense the material, to
reprint the material in the Gourdzette or on our web site,
to submit the project to other relevant publications as
chosen by California Gourds, to change the title thereof,
and/or to use author's name and biography in connection
with the publication of the material in any form California
Gourds may determine. The publisher specifically reserves
the right to use the photographs and/or artwork for extraneous
uses, including but not limited to promotions, advertisements,
calendars, posters, newsletters for both print and online.
The author retains the full rights to the published project, photographs and/or artwork. Publisher requests a limited copyright of 12 months from the time of publishing before author submits their project to other printed or online publications.
Author warrants that he/she is the sole author and owner of the material, that it does not infringe any existing copyright that it contains no libelous or unlawful matter and that the author has full power to grant the rights granted hereby.
|
