Make Your Voice Heard
Readers are encouraged to submit performance reviews and classical-music related articles and interviews. Below you'll find everything you need to know about the submission process.
What types of submissions does Chicago Classical Music publish?
Is there a minimum or maximum length?
How exactly do I submit my work?
What information about myself should I include? Will this information be published?
What’s the review process? How long does it take?
Will Chicago Classical Music edit my spelling and grammar and fact-check what I write before it’s published?
For what reasons will you turn down a submission?
Can readers add comments?
I’d like to include a photo. How do I that?
Is there a limit to how many articles I can submit?
What becomes of my submission once it’s published?
I have a question that isn’t answered here.
What types of submissions does Chicago Classical Music publish?
Chicago Classical Music publishes three types of submissions:
- Articles: We’re interested in a wide range of articles related to classical music: examples might include a probing analysis of the direction of the genre; a piece on a historical master; or a discussion of the use of classical music in film.
- Reviews: While reviews of performances within and outside the Chicago area are encouraged, we’re also interested in reviews of new music releases and other media, including books, television shows and radio programs that are related to classical music.
- Interviews: Know a local or perhaps even national or international professional? We’d love to hear what they have to say about their role and what their work involves. The subject could be a performer, composer or staff member at a classical music organization. The format should be Q&A, with the subject and the interviewer both clearly identified throughout.
Is there a minimum or maximum length for submissions?
No, but please don’t overwhelm your audience. Articles and reviews generally should be less than 1,200 words; some exceptions are possible, but overly long submissions may be rejected out of hand. Interviews should include between five and 10 questions.
How exactly do I submit my work?
It's very easy. If you are not a registered user, you’ll first need to create an account. Once you're logged in, click "Create Content" in the navigation menu under the calendar.
As a registered member, you'll now see three options: add a new forum topic; add a new image; add a new story. Click "story." This will take you to a new page with the same instructions that appear below (no need to memorize what's here):
- Enter a title and use the pull-down menu to select article, review or interview.
- Copy your text into the "body" field. Use the text editor to bold, italicize, blockquote or add hyperlinks. Highlight the text you’d like to edit and click on the appropriate icon.
- Click "preview" to view how your submission will appear. The editing field will appear directly below the submission, so you can make changes on the same page. You can preview and edit as many times as you'd like.
- Once you’re pleased with how it looks, click "submit."
- One last step: Please let the webmaster know there's a new submission in the queue. Use the contact us link on the right-side of every page and write "new submission" along with the title.
All submissions remain in moderation until they are reviewed, so you won't see it posted right away.
What information about myself should I include? Will this information be published?
Please include your full name and contact information (e-mail or phone number) at the top of your submission in case the webmaster has a question. This information will not be published.
The submission will be published under your user name. Feel free to add a brief bio at the end -- one or two sentences -- if you want readers to know more about your background or credentials.
What's the review process? How long does it take?
Upon receiving your submission, the webmaster will forward it to one of Chicago Classical Music's sponsor organizations for review (just to make sure it's on topic and not libelous). Approved submissions will be posted immediately upon acceptance. Please allow up to 72 hours for the review and publication process.
Will Chicago Classical Music edit my spelling and grammar and fact-check what I write before it’s published?
While we don't mind correcting a typo here or there, reviewers won’t be using a red pen. If the submission is obviously error-filled, it’s likely to be rejected, so please make sure you spell-check and edit your work.
Same goes for fact-checking. If something looks questionable, it may be rejected or sent back for clarification. It's also possible that readers will catch an error; we encourage readers to use the comment section at the end of each piece.
For what reasons will you turn down a submission?
Reasons for rejection might include:
- Topic: Subject matter isn’t related to classical music
- Content: The content is considered offensive or is otherwise objectionable
- Writing: There are too many misspellings or other glaring errors
- Length: Submissions that require a fortnight to read are unlikely candidates
Can readers comment on my submission?
Yes. There's a comment field at the end of each piece. All users can comment on articles and reply to other readers' comments. Authors are encouraged to respond to questions or comments.
I’d like to include a photo with my submission. How do I that?
- Point your cursor where you want to insert the image and click the tree icon (add/edit image). This will cause a new window to pop up.
- The first field says Image URL. Click the box next to it to upload the image. Another window will pop up.
- Click "Browse" at the bottom of the window to upload your image. Select your image and click "Upload File." The size limit is 500 x 500.
- Once it comes back "Upload Successful," click the "Add" link up near the top of the window. The image URL will automatically be inserted into the edit image window.
- Give the image a description (artist's name, name of symphony hall, etc.)
- Reduce the size (if necessary) to fit nicely in your blog post. A 500 x 500 image, for instance, would probably work better if reduced to 250 x 250, or even smaller, depending on the context.
- Set the alignment right or left and give it a vertical and horizontal spacing of 4. This creates a nice buffer between the image and the text).
- If you don't like where the image appears, click on it and move it like you would move around text (using your keyboard, click "Control X" to cut, "Control V" to paste) or highlight the image and click the edit image icon.
- Your image files will be saved under your user name, so any time you add or edit an image, you'll get to choose from all the images you uploaded to the system.
Is there a limit to how many articles I can submit?
No, there’s no limit.
What becomes of my submission once it's published?
An excerpt appears on the homepage, with a link to continue reading the full article. It's also listed under "latest articles" in the right-side column, and it remains permanently archived in the articles section.
Chicago Classical Music's sponsor organizations will not excerpt, quote from or use these submissions in any way outside of Chicago Classical Music without author approval.
I have a question that isn’t answered here.
Please contact the webmaster with any additional questions.
