New York Archives Magazine
Editorial Guidelines for Submitting an Article
Readership
New York Archives is not an academic journal. It is designed to appeal to the general, educated public with an interest in the history of New York State. Through creative use of graphics, captions and pull-quotes, the content is designed to be immediately accessible to the reader. Footnotes are discouraged, article length does not exceed 2000 words, and the features are designed as 2- to 4-page spreads that do not jump to pages at the back.
Types of Submissions
Featured Articles
Article lengths are 850 to 2,000 words. In addition, writers should include a sidebar of approximately 100-200 words that discussed the kinds of historical records that were used to make possible the information in the article. Accuracy is vital. Writers are expected to double-check all facts in their stories. If the article is accepted for publication, writers will be asked to submit a brief biography and photograph for the Contributors section. Payment for articles is made upon acceptance. There is no kill fee. Manuscripts should be submitted in electronic form, preferably by email, in Microsoft Word.
Departments
“Archives Around New York,” a department that highlights one archives or archival collection in New York State. Submissions should be 900–1,000 words and can be a general overview of the holdings of a repository or a focused piece on one interesting collection in an archives. It’s a great chance to publicize the holdings of museums, historical sites, and cultural institutions that are available for research.
"History in the Making,” a department that tells stories about how archives are being used to construct histories. Past pieces have described the use of archival records in K-12 classrooms, the discovery of archival records in surprising places, and undergraduate research projects in archives. Submissions should be 900–1,000 words and can touch upon any aspect of using archives to “make” history.
"In their Own Words," a department that highlights one specific document or record in archival collection in New York State. Submissions should be 300-450 words, focused on one interesting record (stand-alone or part of a series) that clearly demonstrates why primary sources are so valuable in capturing the words, thoughts and intentions of the past. A .PDF or highresolution scan of the record should be submitted as well.
"Parting Shots," a department that features an image from an archival holding in New York State and verbally illustrates a short story about said image. Past pieces have described the photo, what activities are being depicted, and how it tells a larger story in the context of New York State's diverse history. Submissions should be 300-450 words and include a high-resolution version of the image and the archives collection/series in which it is housed.
Editorial Guidelines
New York Archives editors prefer queries over unsolicited manuscripts. Queries may be submitted via: Email: aptrust@nysed.gov
Mail:* Editor, New York Archives
Suite 9C49 Cultural Education Center
Albany, New York 12230
Fax: 518-473-7058
*If mailed, please include a stamped, self-addressed envelope. If the editors' response to a query is positive, details of the writer's contract and payment will be discussed.
Submissions are welcome at any time. Rolling deadlines for editorial committee review are as follows: March 15, June 15, September 15 and December 15. All submissions must include author's name, mailing address, and valid email address.
In order to be considered for publication, a manuscript should be based in part on materials in the historical records repositories in New York State. Such repositories include, but are not limited to, archives (including the New York State Archives), historical societies, libraries, museums, and local governments. Editors are also interested in receiving queries for interviews with readily identifiable individuals who have used historical records to discover new or little-known information. Writers can best understand the nature of the magazine by going to the Magazine Highlights where they can read select past articles (at least one article from each issue is featured in its entirely).
Editors cannot provide critiques of submitted materials. Rejection of an idea or manuscript does not necessarily mean that it lacks merit.
EDITOR
Josie Madison
ASSISTANT EDITOR
Donna Liquori
DESIGN
2k Design
HISTORIAN PARTNERS
William G. Andrews
Bruce W. Dearstyne
Laurence Hauptman
Harold Holzer
Celedonia (Cal) Jones
Carol Kammen
Andrew Kaufman
Devin Lander
Dennis Malcolm
John J. McEneny
Carol McKenna
Rosanna M. Moser
Waterville Historical Society
EDITORIAL CONSULTANTS
Jasmine Bumpers
Bruce W. Dearstyne
Jennifer Dorsey
Kristi Fragnoli
Paul Grondahl
Edward H. Knoblauch
Devin Lander
Denis Meadows
Jeremy W. Naidus
Thomas J. Ruller