Writer's Guide for the Publications of E. G. Ross

Last updated: July 23, 1996

I publish three newsletters, The Positive Economist Bulletin, The Objective American, and Understanding Defense. For these publications, I buy first North American serial rights for articles, paying seven cents per word, more for authors who've written often for me (for beginning writers, this is not negotiable). Prospective writers must adhere to the following guidelines:

1. Style. Please get The Elements of Style by W. Strunk, Jr. and E. B. White (MacMillan Paperbacks). This inexpensive little book is the best guide to clear and grammatical writing. Writers who submit material consistent with Strunk and White are more likely to have me accept their writing. Also, this isn't mandatory, but I suggest that look over a few copies of my publications to get a feel for their pacing and style.

2. Your audience. Remember, my publications primarily reach an intelligent lay audience. That includes everyone who is not a specialist. For instance, a physicist is not necessarily better informed on military strategy than would be a logger or a liberal arts teacher. Never assume that your reader has specialized knowledge about acronyms, history, philosophy, economics, psychology, etc. Always assume he has only a generalized knowledge such as one might acquire from a decent daily newspaper.

   Most of our readers have college educations. A lot of them are Objectivists and/or libertarians, but we also have a considerable number of religious conservatives (neo- and old-line) and liberals (religious and non-religious, new and old). Our audience is diverse and interested in new ideas, especially positive, success- and action-oriented ones. We calculate that in any two-month period, we reach an average of 150,000 people worldwide. We are read on all continents except Antarctica. Many of our readers receive all three publications.

3. Submission.
   1. Before submitting an article cold (without prior discussion with me) it helps to send a short synopsis (a paragraph or two). This will let me decide if I need the article and save you from writing it in full in case I don't. You might, for instance, be duplicating another submission.
   2. If it's the first time you've submitted, include a brief backgrounder about yourself. This gives readers some idea of who you are. If I don't know you, you may wish to list things that make you qualified to write on your subject. (See point 4 below.) I prefer to print material by writers who actually know something. I tend to avoid writers who think their mission in life is to whack the irrational infidels up the side of the head with a copy of Atlas Shrugged.
   3. If I like your synopsis (called a "query letter"), I'll ask you to submit an article. I try to answer queries within two weeks, but don't panic if I don't. Sometimes I'm too busy to answer mail quickly. It doesn't mean I've forgotten you or rejected you or think you have some deep philosophical flaw in your character.
   4. Please send typewritten-quality material (or electronic mail equivalent). I prefer double-spacing for easy editing, if possible. I still find it useful to do some old-fashioned "hardcopy" editing. (However, I have finally junked my chisel and stone tablets.)
   5. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope (called an SASE) if you want your manuscript returned in case it's rejected. Usually I'll send you a short note telling you why I've rejected your submission. Unless you've been uncivil, don't take it personally; if you have, feel free.
4. What I am looking for.
   1. My most common need is book reviews, including fiction, especially if they bear on current events. I'll also consider reviews of films.
   2. I'm interested in articles on unique or specialized subjects. For instance, UD ran an article by an ex-Army major on how to take out the guns pounding Sarajevo, Bosnia; a series by a former intelligence officer summarizing the make-up and operations techniques of major terrorist groups; an article by a photo-intelligence specialist on Iran's missile sites. TOA ran an article on the history of the green movement and another on immigration. PEB ran an article on the fallacies of the administration's new labor policy and another on why inflation indexes are out of whack with reality. Among our three publications, you have a wide variety of subject matter to address.
   3. I stress that I don't want fact-short diatribes on what you think is wrong with the world. If you have something to say, I want to see good reasons to back up your opinions--researched reasons, not just strings of logical deduction. Logic is wonderful, but good research assures that you've something to be logical about. Writing in a vacuum is worth the medium in which it resides: nothing.
   4. Unless you can convince me I should make an exception, all articles must be limited to 750 words (about three double-spaced typewritten pages). Brevity is mandatory. It's also good practice for beginning writers. UD, TOA, and PEB are big on getting to the point. If you like to wander and wax airily philosophical, you probably don't want to submit to us.

If you pay attention to these guidelines, and don't second-guess, then you'll maximize your chances of getting my attention. A sure way to avoid getting published in my newsletters is to be cavalier about these guidelines. To me, that suggests you can't (or won't) follow directions or suggestions and will have a tough time dealing with an editor. I've got plenty to keep me busy without having to debate these guidelines.

Other than that, if you keep a positive attitude and do what you say you'll do when you say you'll do it, we'll probably get along just fine. I'm a civilized fellow. Really. Still want to write for me? Okay, then print out these guidelines and keep them handy. Check your material against them every time before submitting either a query or article. Then cross-check. Don't assume anything. If you absolutely cannot find an answer to a question generated herein, you can e-mail me at 74434.3474@compuserve.com or write to:

E. G. Ross
1574 Coburg Road #242
Eugene, OR 97401