Author Guidelines

Guidelines for Article Submissions to the LPN eNewsletter

No-Marketing/Self Promotion Policy

• Please keep in mind that LPN has a no-marketing policy. It is sometimes difficult to distinguish between writing about professional experiences and practices in the field vs marketing and self-promotion. Please be as sensitive to that as possible.

You Should Know

• Any article that is published in the LPN Newsletter will be posted on the LPN website.
• Articles will be accepted from non-LPN members with preference given to current members. Use will be up to the discretion of the LPN Newsletter editor.
• LPN does not expect exclusive rights to articles.

Article Mechanics

• Articles are to be submitted in MS Word, single spaced with one space after a period before the next sentence - not two spaces, using 11 pt. Helvetica.

YOUR ARTICLE

Introductory information should include:

1. Article Title, Author Name, Credential, LPN Member/Chapter (if appropriate).
2. Author photo as jpg file.
3. Brief introductory bio including information of recent professional activities involving life planning in the second half of life. Include a brief statement of the importance, reason or need that prompted you to write your article. This can be a personal statement.

Body information should include:

1. Relevant information from professionals whose focus is the the second half of life to:
• expose and disperse knowledge of best practices in all fields in the "pie of life" to foster integration and cross knowledge among members
• establish and maintain best practices in our own fields of expertise
• share and encourage discussion of like-minded ideas, thinking and goals
• educate, inform and guide clients on pertinent issues
• share stories of third-age challenges, fulfillment, revelation, discovery, and life change to inspire ourselves and our clients
• stay apprised of current and upcoming news and events
2. Relevant photos as jpg files.

Closing information should include:

1. Your credentials, contact and website information.

Suggestions on How to Write Your Web-Based Article

Keep in mind that Web-based articles should be handled differently than print articles. Readers are looking for targeted content and quick access to information. Keep the word count down and the interest up by being brief and to the point. In this case "less is more." Remember, readers often only read about 20% of the text in an article or about 5 minutes time on the whole newsletter.

• Start with an introductory paragraph that summarizes your content. Make sure the reader knows what is important about your article.
• Keep your content targeted with perhaps no more than three key points.
• For interest, consider including relevant short "case stories" of how a concept worked for an individual in a particular circumstance.
• Consider linking shorter pieces to fuller versions and/or references when appropriate. Conclude the article with a wrap-up and suggestions about how the reader could use the information.
• Keep the article to 200 - 500 words.

These resources may be helpful:

http://websitetips.com/webcontent/#tutorials
http://superperformance.com/webarticles.html
http://www.goarticles.com/cgi-bin/showa.cgi?C=2124927

For questions or comments contact:
Mo Lanier, LPN eNewsletter Editor
LPNcomchair@lifeplanningnetwork.org

Thank you for your articles for our LPN eNewsletter.