avatarLawson Wallace

Summary

Editors at Illumination publications emphasize the importance of adhering to submission guidelines, particularly proper photo attribution and avoiding copyright infringement, to ensure a smooth and timely publishing process.

Abstract

The article stresses that editors are keen to publish submitted stories but require cooperation from writers, especially in correctly attributing photos and avoiding the use of copyrighted images. The editors, who are volunteers, face challenges with writers who do not follow guidelines, including proper photo captioning and attribution, even for personal images. The article underscores that following the onboarding pack instructions can expedite the publishing process and prevent stories from being rejected. It also warns that continuous disregard for these rules may lead to writers being removed from the publication. The piece concludes by encouraging a collaborative effort between writers and editors to maintain an efficient publishing queue.

Opinions

  • The editors are frustrated with the common spelling and grammar errors in submissions, which they consider easily preventable.
  • Editors are willing to publish stories quickly but encounter resistance from some writers when requesting photo attribution, leading to potential rejection of submissions.
  • There is a clear expectation that all photos, including modified graphics and personal images, must be properly attributed to streamline the publishing process.
  • The use of copyrighted photos from sources like Getty Images or news organizations is strictly prohibited due to legal risks and potential lawsuits.
  • The article conveys a sense of exasperation with writers who ignore submission guidelines and exhibit poor attitudes towards editing requests.
  • The editors advocate for a mutual understanding and adherence to guidelines to facilitate the publishing process and maintain a good working relationship between writers and editors.

Editors want to publish your article, but you have to work with us

We do not enjoy rejecting stories

Photo by Yan Krukov: https://www.pexels.com/photo/man-in-gray-suit-sitting-on-black-chair-covering-his-face-7793987/

I sit down in front of my laptop, open my email and shake my head. There are several thousand submissions to Illumination and its publications.

There are the usual spelling and grammar errors. The errors that frustrate me the most are the easiest that a writer can fix, or better yet, do it right in the first place.

Editors want to publish your story as soon as possible

It’s in the editor’s best interest to publish your story and get it out of the queue, but you have to cooperate. Some writers get angry and push back when I ask them to attribute the photos they use. I can’t wrap my head around that.

I don’t have time to argue, so I will reject your submission. I don’t want to do that, but I don’t want to deal with your attitude. All photos need attribution under the photo.

Attribution is easy

This includes graphics. Modified pictures need to be captioned, noting that they have been modified. If you do these simple things, you will speed up the publishing process.

The Editors are volunteers, and we might not have the experience you have, and you very well might be smarter, but we still we have guidelines we have to follow.

Read the onboarding pack and follow the guidelines

If you would read the onboarding pack. Familiarize yourself with, and follow the rules your work will get published faster. The faster your story is published, the faster it earns money.

Personal pictures also need attribution. All that’s required is that you type, “ Photo taken by author” under the picture, or “ Personal photo.”

Editors spend too much time dealing with photos not attributed properly. Photos under Copyright are another problem. Getty Images or any photo from a News organization can’t be used. A writer can be sued for using a picture under Copyright.

The Last Word:

Writers and Editors must work together to keep the Queue moving. Writers can do their part by following submission guidelines. Editors do not like rejecting stories, but we are tired of the attitudes of some of our writers.

Follow the rules. Use Copyright-free photos. Attribute all photos, that includes personal photos as well. Let’s work together and get our writing published in a timely matter.

Attribution Of Photos
Illumination
Writers
Editors
Ranting
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