| NOTE: We are currently NOT accepting article
submissions as of 11-1-2009. If you'd like to write independent
music reviews, please click here. |
Thanks for your interest in contributing to Indie-Music.com.
We publish articles from freelance writers with hands-on experience
in the music industry and reviews from talented music enthusiasts.
Our monthly magazine publishes substantial freelance material
and is committed to helping freelance music writers succeed.
Please note, however, that Indie-Music is a site specifically
designed to help musicians, not build the careers of famous
writers or music critics. As such, we never engage in "trashing"
any artist's music - what's the point? And we offer our criticism
from a genuinely constructive angle. Also note that we only
review artists with music on our site.
Our audience consists of professional and amateur musicians,
music industry pros like publicists and promoters, managers,
agents, small record labels. "Indie" means independent
- and we cover independent/unsigned/local musicians and bands
of all genres. We run how-to articles, music reviews, artist
profiles, interviews, commentary, and promotional ideas.
Quick Facts:
- 70% freelance written
- Monthly publication
- Online only
- Prefers exclusive material
- Byline Given: Yes
- Rights Purchased: First North American Serial Rights,
First Rights, One-Time Rights, Second Serial (Reprint)
Rights, Makes some Work-for-Hire Assignments
Types of submissions accepted:
Articles:
- Essays - music, music industry, arts, creativity
- How-to - play instruments, have a successful independent
music career, tour, etc.
- Opinion - latest music industry topics, arts careers,
music careers
- Personal Experience - of musicians, music industry career
- Technical - recording, live sound, computer music, promotion
of music, etc.
Reviews:
- Interview/Profile/Review - independent musicians, producers,
promoters, etc.
Types of submissions NOT accepted:
- News or reviews of famous superstar musicians
- Reviews or interviews of independent artists who are
not on our site
- Self-promoting articles or reviews (rare exceptions)
- Articles where the music industry is not a major focus
- Simultaneous submissions to other publications are not
eligible for payment
Article Submission Details
-
Buys: 10-40 manuscripts per year
- Word Length: 800-3000 words
-
- Include a one paragraph author biography detailing your
music business experience
-
Pays: $10-$300 for assigned articles, $0-$200
for unsolicited articles
- We will publish short bio and picture at the end of the
article, including a link to your website
- Accepts previously published submissions - but these submissions
are not eligible for pay
- Accepts simultaneous submissions - but these submissions
are not eligible for pay
- Publishes Manuscripts: Average 1-4 months after submission
- Reports in 2 weeks-2 months if interested
- Editorial Lead Time: 3-4 months
- Submit Seasonal Material: 3-4 months in advance
-
We occasionally offer writers free web hosting
or promotion on our site in exchange for writing.
-
We occasionally pay expenses of writers
on assignment.
"Chops" How-To Articles
We accept articles about playing technique, gear, or
other "Chops" related topics. This is a great
opportunity for musicians who have always wanted to pass
along their skill, but never had a forum. We cover Bass,
Drums, Vocals, Guitars, Keyboard, Recording, and Live
Sound. We are also open to other topic ideas. Chops articles
may appear on Indie-Music's home page for the entire month
in which they are featured. Afterward, the article will
remain archived.
Music Business/Technical How-To Articles
We are interested in articles that help musicians, such
as "How to Write a Bio" or "Booking Your
Band in the Midwest" or "The Best Guitar Stomp
Boxes". We do not accept articles that are blatant
promotions for your business, although it is fine to include
a mention and a link to your website. Articles may appear
on Indie-Music's home page for the entire month in which
they are featured. Afterward, the article will remain
archived.
Opinion/Interviews/Essays/Current Events/Personal Experience
Articles
Anyone can submit an opinion article. We do not accept
articles that are blatant promotions for your business,
although it is fine to include a mention and a link to
your website. Articles may appear on Indie-Music.com's
home page for the entire month they are featured. Afterward,
articles will remain archived. You can submit an article
on any topic you like, as long as it is related to musicians
or the music business.
Reviews Submission Details
- Buys: 200 Music Reviews and 5 Product Reviews per year
- Writer should create
an account and then comment on 2 or more artists
on this site as sample reviews; Then email writers@indie-music.com
with the URLs of your work.
- Length: 2-6 paragraphs, approx. - circumstances vary.
- Pays: $2-$15 per online review (depends on how many songs)
- Music Reviews are purchased as Works-For-Hire
- Publishes Reviews: Average 1-2 months after submission
- Responds in 2 weeks-2 months if interested
- Regular writers earn increasing exposure and recognition
on the website.
Independent Music Reviews
Slant: We serve the musicians as opposed to the consumer.
Our review philosophy is to be supportive of artists.
Each writer has the option of not reviewing a particular
artist if they find it extremely bad or distasteful. We
like to avoid such depressing generalizations as "This
band sucks so badly they should go back to the garage!".
If you hate it, don't bother reviewing it. A hateful,
sarcastic review does not help the musicians. However,
constructive criticism is encouraged, along with praise
for a band's music. We believe genuine criticism is useful
for artistic growth, and is one of the greatest services
Indie-Music can provide. Your reviews will remain archived
on Indie-Music.com, and cannot be re-printed elsewhere
except as promotional quotes for the artist or label.
Quotes from your reviews may be reprinted if attributed
to Indie-Music.com.
Procedure: All reviews are done online from among assigned
artists with music on Indie-Music.com.
Product Reviews
Slant: Musical instruments and equipment, music and
audio software, online music services, books about music.
Procedure: Query writers@indie-music.com
before submitting product reviews. You should obtain your
own products for review, although we occasionally make
assignments.
Photos
- We do not buy freelance photos, but writers should send
photos with articles, if applicable.
- Acceptable formats: .jpg, .gif, .tif
- Offers no extra payment for photos (rare exceptions)
- Required: Identification of subjects in all photos.
Contact & Submission Information
Acceptable Submission Formats
- Plain text via email to writers@indie-music.com
- HTML Document - Clean code only! No MS Word or FrontPage
files.
- Adobe Acrobat PDF - must be copy-paste enabled.
- NOT ACCEPTABLE: MS Word Documents, MS FrontPage
HTML Documents, Other Design or Layout Programs' Files
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