Below is an email that I recently sent out to our regular contributors for American Miniaturist. I generally send emails like this after each issue is complete, which translates into once a month for AM and once every two months for DHM. They're usually shorter and less interesting than this one, but I thought I could share this with all of our readers in case anybody is interested in submitting an article but needed a little inspiration.
Note: If you are interested in being added to my contributor email list, let me know by emailing traci@ashdown.co.uk. *Please include which magazine you are interested in.* Thanks!
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Our holiday issue of AM is off at the printer's. Not much to say except that it is very festive! :-) And we are starting a new series on Judaic holidays and traditions by Barbie Cohn Andreason, who has created a twelve-room structure with each room highlighting one theme. I'm really excited about it, as I don't believe we've done anything like it before.
Currently working on edits and layouts for DHM and for January of AM. Issues are starting to fill up, so if you have any ideas--even for issues way in the future--definitely let me know so we can start working on them. I really want to make sure the magazine is still focusing on tutorials and inspiration for do-it-yourselfers, so tutorials are really important.
Here are a few ideas of articles/tutorials that could be great for AM that we haven't included recently:
*Comparing two techniques to see pros and cons of both (i.e. using translucent clay in foods versus not; comparing two types of paints to achieve a specific look; two ways to build a structure or item, depending on what type of look you're going for)
*Making one item two ways (perhaps showing how to change your technique in creating an item in 1:12 to 1:24)
*Housework techniques: shingling, adding wallpaper, adding carpet, making siding, etc.
*House or room box construction
*Landscaping techniques (several ways to make a grassy lawn; adding shrubbery; making a garden)
*Very short articles (one-pagers) or very long, complex tutorials in a series. Readers are ready for a challenge! :-)
Also, I am still working on the idea of a Tudor issue, though I've pushed it back from January to sometime in late 2012 (possibly September). I have two, maybe three, tutorials and one possible feature already, so if you have any ideas and/or suggestions, please let me know, as we will probably run out of room quickly.
Other upcoming themes to work with:
*April has a spring/Easter gallery
*June is Father's Day and Bridal issue (a father taking a daughter down the aisle could be a fun way to mix them together)
*October is Halloween (naturally) but any autumnal/blue moon/harvest article could be really fun as well
*December is holiday, of course! And not just Christmas.
Thanks everybody!
Traci
