ABOUT
This newspaper/magazine is slated to begin as an irregularly published, 500-copy-volume, 20-page (with ads included) black-and-white publication composed of
letters-to-the-editor types of literature from local residents of Bluefield/Princeton/Bluewell, WV,
& Bluefield, VA. At this time, there is no publishing deadline for the first edition.
If successful, it will be published monthly, then bi-weekly, and, eventually, color capability will be added. All topics will be
considered for publication that affect all or at least a significant amount of
residents economically, socially or politically. (Letters on religion must be
about issues that could affect others as well as oneself, regardless of anyone else’s particular denomination—no proselytizing allowed.) Personal-opinion matters can be local, statewide, national or
global. Letters simply relaying useful information are also welcome.
There are a lot of ideas out there. The Vocal will give area residents another forum in which to submit and
discuss them—and possibly get something done that could help bring progress to
the local area. Think you’ve got a solution to a problem? Submit it to the Vocal.
Seven hundred fifty words to play with! With this kind of
volume, you can say virtually everything you have to say. Submit a photo of yourself and it may be included along with your letter.
Also, various polls concerning multiple topics will be offered
so that everyone can get a general feel of the philosophical climate of the
area.
Plus! Guest-column availability. Each month, all writers may submit a 1,250-word-limit column. The best one will be chosen for that month.
So…..whether your cause is hunger and poverty; health; war;
crime and criminal justice; racism and bigotry; education; economic, commercial
and employment disparity; ecological conditions; politics; lauding
under-appreciated humanitarian heroes; offering solutions to our problems; or
just submitting useful info that improves our daily lives, the Local Vocal will function as your free forum to do so.
Requirements: Letters submitted must be well-written and
typed, preferably in Times New Roman. Those submitted by e-mail or on disk (in
Microsoft Word, WordPad or Notepad) will be given TOP priority. (I can copy and
paste—saves me from re-typing and from making mistakes.) No important and
relevant subject matter will be censored, but keep it clean and tasteful—no
profanity or bigotry allowed as well as material that is unreasonably offensive.
Pictures are allowed that are submitted in Microsoft Word, Bitmap, GIF or JPEG.
Printed pictures must be on a paper stock suitable for scanning.
Be Your Own Reporter!
Literature that
appears in the Local Vocal will be published on an as-is basis--provided
that it adheres to decency guidelines. Is there a story occurring somewhere that
isn't being covered like you think it should be? Then grab your camera
and report it like a professional! Take interviews. Quote sources. (Note: The Vocal
will not pay for stories. Submissions to the publication should be motivated by
your desire to inform the public. However, you may become "famous" by
submitting good reports on a regular basis!)