Writer’s Guidelines

Thank you for your interest in contributing to Directions Magazine. People who read Directions Magazine are interested in solving problems using geospatial technologies including GIS, GPS, location-based services, remote sensing, sensors and related technologies. We welcome articles that address solutions using these technologies.

Length

We request short articles between 1,200 to 1,500 words.

Approaches

Solution articles explain how a challenge was addressed by geospatial technologies. Define the challenge(s) and include details of how they were resolved. If possible discuss why and how the technology was chosen and applied, the difficulties overcome, cost/savings, personnel issues and training, and lessons learned.
Tutorials can offer general or specific steps to implement a technology.
Product reviews evaluate new products or services in an unbiased way. Reviews examine technical issues related to hardware, software and data, and the features and benefits provided by the product or service.
A review should answer the following questions:
- What are the system requirements?
- What is its intended market, and is it appropriate for it?
- How well does it perform its claimed capabilities?
- How easy or difficult is it to implement/learn?
- How does it compare to similar products?
- How much does it cost?
- How much training is suggested? What types of training (Web, tutorial, video, etc) are available?
- What suggestions would you make to the vendor to enhance the product?
State of the Art articles review a technology or business area and its current state including major players, products and challenges.
Guest Editorials are "point of view" pieces that articulate a stand on a policy, technology or other issue related to geospatial technology.
Other topics and forms are welcome. Please contact the Editor-in-chef to discuss your ideas.

Style

Directions Magazine’s readership has a wide variety of backgrounds. We prefer a familiar rather than a scholarly tone to make content as accessible as possible. Please define the goal of the article and the benefits a reader will take away in the first two paragraphs. Define all acronyms on first use except GIS and GPS. Identify all persons quoted including their name, title and company affiliation. We prefer not to include footnotes.

While we accept articles penned by solution providers and other vendors, we do ask that they be educational rather than commercial. We prefer that users tell their own story if at all possible.

Author biography

A two line biography of the author(s) is requested. Please include the author(s)’ name(s), title(s), or organization(s), and website(s)/e-mail address(es).

Graphics

Please provide a minimum of three and up to five digital graphics, GIF or JPEG format no wider than 700 pixels, along with the manuscript. Attach the graphics file to the submission e-mail. Include a descriptive caption of 15-25 words in complete sentences that explains the relationship to the article. If the author is not the provider of the graphics, please cite the source and insure permission has been given for reproduction online.

Payment for Articles

At this time, Directions Magazine does not pay for unsolicited articles. We welcome your contributions to the publication and the industry.

Original Material

Directions Magazine gives priority to submitted articles that have not yet been published. We will consider articles that have been or will be published elsewhere, on a case-by-case basis. Please let the Editor-in-chief know if an article you are submitting for consideration has already been published elsewhere.

Copyright and Reprints

Directions Magazine retains copyright to the version of material which appears in any of its publications or other publication owned or managed by same. For example, editorial material appearing in Directions Magazine may not be copied and republished elsewhere in the same form without appropriate credit given to Directions Magazine. Contact Jane Elliott, publisher, if you would like permission to reprint an article appearing in any of our publications.

Submission

Send via e-mail to the Editor-in-chief (contact information below). We will confirm receipt of materials. All submissions are subject to approval and editing for grammar, style, and consistency. We make no guarantee that submissions will be published.