How to Write for RCN

Thank you for inquiring about writing for RCN. Here are our writer guidelines. Please keep in mind that these are updated at least twice per year.

RCN is written by and for recumbent enthusiasts. We would love to have you write for RCN. This form is split up into the following sections:

I. Types of articles that we need and suggested word counts.
II. How to write for RCN
III. How to submit
IV. Considerations: how long it can take, compensation, etc.

I. TYPES OF ARTICLES
NEWS, F.Y.I., Calendar and Letters, Press Releases — This can be as short as one line or as long as a few paragraphs. This is your forum to comment or react to RCN editorials, articles, policies, or road tests. If you agree, disagree or whatever— we want to hear about it. If you have an announcement for a new product, ride, or tour — let us know. Please keep letters under 300 words (if you need more space — write an article — see The Back Page below). The easiest way to send this type of material is by email to: bob@recumbentcyclistnews.com. The above submissions are not considered “articles.” Please submit calendar items as early as you can (6 months is good).

Road tests/reviews/bike comparisons — Please email us to see if we’re interested in a road test on the bike you have in mind. Feel free to use our template which can be taken from any recent (2002/3) road test (Please do not use this for any other purpose besides RCN) (1000-2500 words + 3-4 photos and/or drawings).

Tour articles — We prefer articles that includes info about you, your tour mates, your equipment and anecdotes about recumbent bikes and authors opinions. Please do not send overly long manuscripts that you want us to massively edit. Also, we’re not interested in just a travelogue. Your article must be about recumbent bikes (1500-2500 words). If you have a lively article that you just cannot get under 2500 words, send it via email and we’ll consider splitting it into 2 or 3 parts.

Interview — We love interviews with recumbent industry notables, racers and those who’ve done incredible recumbent feats (1500-2500 words).

The Back Page — This is a good place for opposing opinions if you disagree with something written in RCN. If it’s short, send a letter. If you have lots to say, write for The Back Page (750-1500 words).

Manufacturers/Designers/Dealers — We accept articles, design stories, press releases, product announcements. Email if you have questions.

Me & My ‘Bent — Write about how you got into recumbents, or other thoughtful and original prose. We should have an (optional) template for this column by Summer 2003 (750-1200 words).

II. HOW TO WRITE
The first few lines in your article should outline all of the important details. Write for the people who only read the first paragraph. Use an inverted pyramid style of writing with the most important points of the story at the beginning of the article and less important information at the end. People scanning RCN should be able to read everything they need to know in the first few lines. Long articles require easily navigatable subheadlines. Keep paragraphs short — under 5 lines with short sentences (under 20 words).

A good headline tells the reader to keep reading. It says, “This is important news — read it!”

Keep in mind the Who, What, Where, Why, and How of your topic. Try to avoid complicated language, be specific and be compact.

Verbs should be strong (examples: tell, say, cut, show, change, try, want) and active. Active verb example:

A. I broke the window yesterday.
In contrast, here is a passive verb example:
A. The window was broken.

Use contractions whenever possible (we’ll, it’s, what’s). Acronyms (RCN, USS, OSS, FWD, etc.) should be spelled out the first time they are used in your article.

Articles should be specific including dates, times, locations — plus the full name, phone number, and email address of the contact person.

Start with an Outline — To make an easy outline, use chapter sub-heads. Even if you (or we) edit them out, they will help you write an easy to navigate article.

III. HOW TO SUBMIT
E-Submission — Email your article text and photos to RCN (see photo info below).

Mail Submission
1. Write your article and print out a copy.
2. Photos: Color or B/W 35 mm prints or digital photos. We require 8x10 72 dpi jpegs or 4x5 200-300 dpi color jpegs. You should be using at least a 2.0 megapixel camera. Please supply us with no more than 5 photos that you think are the best (a side view, a photo of you riding or standing by bike and a detail shot or two). A neutral background (white, tan, offwhite wall, garage door, stucco wall are best for still shots. FYI: Dark backgrounds (greenery) looks dark gray or black on b/w photos.
3. Text: We can open some MS Word files, Works, Appleworks, rich text, rtf text or just plain text. If all else fails, copy and paste your article into the body of an email.
4. SASE (self-address-stamped envelope): If you would like anything returned.

IV. CONSIDERATIONS
We do our best to return items to you (if you ask and send SASE), however, we cannot guarantee it, so please DO NOT send originals.

Articles submitted are NOT guaranteed to get published. Please feel free to ask us to preview your completed article or to ask us how long it might take to get an article published.

We prefer NOT to run articles that have been on the Internet.

We prefer articles that are original, fun, and written in a friendly tone.

COMPENSATION
We currently pay readers the equivalent of a one-year RCN subscription/renewal valued at $32 per article that arrives complete, with a usable computer file, on disk or via email and has pictures and/or drawings. We credit the subscription AFTER the article has run.

If you are a professional writer, or wish to write frequently for RCN, we will consider paying for articles. Write us and let us know your requirements.

GETTING IN TOUCH WITH RCN
Email:
Tel. 360-379-5607
RCN, Bob Bryant
PO Box 2048
Port Townsend, WA 98368

Writer's Guidelines (PDF 38Kb)

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