We have plenty of magazines to fill with content at Planet Publishing Group and we're all ways looking for people gifted at writing and are willing to contribute stories and/or useful information to our various publications.  We offer fame and riches... well, really we offer more fame than anything.  We make sure to compensate all content creators fairly and make sure you get full credit for anything and everything we publish.  Below are our basic guidelines.

 

Planet magazines are special-interest publications aimed at the professional and home readers. 

 

Articles are beginner-friendly, but never talk down to the audience. Readers may be experts in one area of our coverage, yet novices in another. We emphasize sidebars, tips and other reader-friendly "packaging," and each article aims to provide the resources necessary to take the next step in the quest for a really great display

Writing for Planet Publications

 

We accept queries by e-mail and postal mail only. We really prefer using electronic mail but if querying by normal postal mail, always include an SASE.  If we've never worked with you before, please include writing samples (published clips preferred) with your query.  Please don't call with queries or to check on the status of your query. Allow six to eight weeks for a response.

The ideal Planet publication writer is both a writer—able to explain complex topics in clear, friendly, easy-to-read articles and sidebars—and an expert (or interested amateur) in one of our coverage areas.  Your query should indicate both why you're right for this topic and why you're able to write it.

 

Please query with a specific story idea.  In general, we're looking for stories that are right for our readers, not writers to assign articles to.  Please do not submit finished articles previously published in other magazines.

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We live by a couple of simple rules in the Planet publications  community.  We're always positive and family friendly.  Your writing style should reflect our values. 

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Articles need to be broad in scope to appeal to a general audience, yet narrow enough to support specific, useful information. "Getting Started with Computerized Light Displays" might be a good article for us; "Cheating the Electric Company" is not.

Query with specific suggestions on accompanying sidebars, tip boxes, resource lists and other elements, as well as ideas for content that might be appropriate for posting on our Web site.

 

For more advice on writing and marketing your work, see Writer's Digest.

 

The Basics:

 

Our address:

Planet Publications Group
Attn: Editor
245 Pebble Glen Drive
Franklin, TN  37064

E-mail a query

Payment and rights: Pay on acceptance.  Buy all rights.  Rates vary widely depending on difficulty of assignment. Offer 25% kill fee.

 

Typical Freelance Writer Contract Language:

 

Parties and Assignment. This agreement (the "Agreement") is made and entered into as of the ____ day of __________, the “Effective Date”) by and between PlanetChristmas (our company name, hereafter referred to as “Client”), having a place of business at 245 Pebble Glen Drive, Franklin, TN, 37064 and __________ (hereafter referred to as “Writer”). The contract is in regards to professional freelance writing services to be performed on/for the following project (s):
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________

In consideration of the mutual covenants made herein, the parties agree as follows:

Work. Writer agrees to produce written materials such as text and articles (the “Work”) at the request of the Client for fees agreed upon in advance and turn in or deliver the Work by an agreed upon deadline. Writer agrees that she will be the sole author of the Work, which will be original work by Writer, free of plagiarism.  Writer agrees to use reasonable care to ensure that all facts and statements in the Work are true and that the Work does not infringe upon any copyright, right of privacy, proprietary right, right of publicity or any other right of a third party.  Writer agrees that Client has the right to edit the Work as it deems appropriate for publication, and that Writer will cooperate with Client in editing and otherwise reviewing the Work prior to publication. Writer will cooperate with Client if any complaints, claims or litigation should arise regarding the Work.        

Confidentiality: Writer acknowledges that he/she may be furnished or may otherwise receive or have access to information which relates to the Client’s past, present or future products, vendor lists, creative works, marketing strategies, pending projects and proposals, and other proprietary information which gives the Client an opportunity to acquire an advantage over its competitors who do not know or use it (the "Proprietary Information"). Writer agrees to preserve and protect the confidentiality of the Proprietary Information and all physical forms thereof, whether disclosed to Writer before this Agreement is signed or afterward. In addition, Writer shall not disclose or disseminate the Proprietary Information to any third party and shall not use the Proprietary Information for his or her own benefit or for the benefit of
any third party.  Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, Writer shall be prohibited from discussing the Client or the Work with a representative of the press or media, either directly or indirectly, without the Client’s express prior written approval.

Compensation. Client agrees to pay Writer one of the following: $___________ per hour, $ ___________ per word, or a flat fee of $___________. If the parameters of the Work changes, or if it involves much more time than originally estimated, Writer will inform Client and they can renegotiate the rate. Writer will bill for half of the total estimated cost when Writer begins the Work and the rest upon completion. Writer will submit the final invoice for the Work upon receiving approval from Client. If Writer has not received any comments or revisions within a week of submitting a completed draft, Writer will send the invoice. Writer requires half of the total estimate cost up front before beginning a rush job if for a first-time client.

Writer is responsible for the payment of all federal, state and/or local taxes with respect to the services she performs for the client as an independent contractor. The Client will not treat Writer as an employee for any purpose.

Client Approval. Client is responsible for written approval of work ordered (i.e., copy, design, photography, typesetting, and other services) required for the completion of the Work. This approval can be in the form of initials or facsimile. Upon acceptance of the Work, client accepts responsibility for any further processes in which this work is used (i.e., film output, printing, etc.) Writer is not responsible for errors occurring in this work or projects related to this work after acceptance of the Work.

Changes. Any verbal or written changes made by Client to the scope of the Work following its initiation by Writer are subject to additional charges. Should such changes negate any part of the Work already completed at the time of the changes, Client accepts responsibility for payment of the completed work and all services related to it, in addition to charges for the change itself.

Cancellation. Upon written or verbal cancellation, Client is responsible for payment for all expenses incurred and any work done toward the completion of the project based on the percentage of project completed. Should Client cancel the project following its completion, Client is responsible for full payment as per the above estimate plus all other expenses
incurred.

I, ___________________________________ (Planet Publications Group representative), assert that I am a person employed by
___________________________________ (Client), and that I have the authority to promise payment for the services rendered by the writer for the aforementioned Work. I assert that I have read, understood and agree to the Planet Publications Group Freelance Writing Contract and Agreement.

_________________________________________
Planet Publications Group Representative  Signature and date

I, ___________________________________  (Writer) assert that I have read, understood and agree to the PlanetChristmas Freelance Writing Contract and
Agreement.

_______________________________
Writer’s Signature and date