In the Loop
ACLEA’s quarterly newsletter
Issue Deadlines:
September 15 (fall); December 15 (winter); March 15 (spring); June 1 (summer)
Writing for In the Loop
Thank you very much for agreeing to contribute to In the Loop. These guidelines are intended to serve as a general aid as you write, but we welcome your queries; go to “Questions?” at the end of this document.
Preparing an Electronic Manuscript
Prepare your article on a word processor (we prefer Microsoft Word), and email the file to any or all of the following co-editors: Gaye Mara at maraeg@profdev.com; David Owen at dowen@cle.bc.ca; and/or Joy Tataryn at jtataryn@cle.bc.ca.
Choosing Content
In the Loop’s co-editors are looking for thoughtful, well-written, original articles by ACLEA members that provide information on subjects related to continuing legal education, the ACLEA organization, or ACLEA’s members, committees, special interest groups, sponsors, or exhibitors. Please discuss your article idea with any or all of the co-editors in advance. Generally, we are looking for either:
- shorter articles of about 600 words; or
- lengthier feature articles of about 2,000 words (a longer article can be carried as a series).
Please organize your writing; use clear language and avoid unnecessary jargon; use the active voice; in order to keep the readers’ attention, break up longer pieces by using short, informative subheadings; and, if possible, provide graphic elements (for example, photos, illustrations, charts, or graphs). Please provide, as well, the following:
- a brief biography (2-3 sentences);
- a current photo (head or head and shoulders); and
- your publishable contact information (email address and/or telephone number) for readers who wish to make contact with you.
If you would like guidance on conventions regarding usage, grammar, punctuation, citation, and the like, please see The Chicago Manual of Style (15th ed.) (Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2003) or The Chicago Manual of Style Online (15th ed.) at www.chicagomanualofstyle.org.
Using Quotations
All material must be your original work, unless you indicate clearly what parts are quoted or paraphrased from other publications, and their source. Please set out quotations of 50 or more words as block quotations, indented left and right, without quotation marks.
Obtaining Permissions
Fair use principles suggest that any quotation greater than several paragraphs should be used only with the permission of the original publisher. Try to paraphrase as much as possible, rather than quoting sources directly. If you have drawn from the work of others, please obtain such permissions in writing and forward them to the co-editors.
Editing at In the Loop
The co-editors of In the Loop will edit all articles for clarity, grammar, punctuation, and format. We may edit them as well for accuracy, appropriateness, and length. You will have the opportunity to approve and/or further revise the edited piece. The co-editors reserve the right to refuse any article that in our sole judgment does not meet our readers’ current needs.
Author Acknowledgment and Copyright; ACLEA Permission
The co-editors will publish your byline and your biography in In the Loop, unless you request otherwise. While you retain all rights to your work, you are granting ACLEA permission to reproduce, circulate, and/or republish your article without limitation.
Deadlines
Please submit your article by the assigned deadline. Please let the co-editors know immediately if you anticipate any difficulty in meeting this deadline.