Writing articles for OGR

Allen Miller is very supportive and a big help on the articles Gilly@N&W and I co-authored for runs 320 and 321.......email him directly..... we had lots of back and forth emails that ultimately produced the articles....

Bottom line...Allen is great to work with....

Peter

I second the comment that Allan Miller is good to work with, having a number of previously published articles in OGRR magazine. All of my articles have dealt with advancing technology in model trains, but there are many other subject areas that would be of interest to readers. As pointed out, photographs are a necessary and important element in any article submission.

I’d be quite interested in what the article guidelines are: preferred length in number of words or pages, number of photographs/illustrations, ect... and of course what you offer authors for their articles (going to assume it varies based on length)?

I’ve written a few articles for my local historical society and they were well received. I’m always looking for a way to make money doing something I love, and I do love model railroads and writing...

Melgar has written a good number of articles and I think there was a post where he explained how he presented his pictures to it. I would say that in order to write whatever article you intend to write, stay on the point of where you want to go. Writing for me(recreational) has always consisted of having an outline of what points I want to hit. Certain things can be added as long as they don't stray or take away from what it is you are trying to convey.

Peter is right as well, Allan is great. Granted I haven't written anything for OGR, but I have talked with him a few times just about how things come to his plate(plus reading his column is informative). Probably one of the most important things to have at hand is time. If I had more time to do things, I think I would have probably written something.

Anyone interested in putting together a layout feature or how-to-do-it article for publication in OGR just has to follow these few simple steps:

Send me an email (editor@ogaugerr.com) briefly describing what it is you propose and, if possible provide a sample photo or two (or more) so I will have some idea of what you are proposing. Obviously, photos for a how-to-do-it article may be a bit problematic if the project is already completed because a finished project, however nice, is not much help to folks who may want to tackle such a project themselves. But if you are just about to undertake such a project, just keep your camera or smartphone handy and shoot the most important steps as you do them. What is needed are step-by-step photos that illustrate the process from start to finish. This takes a bit more effort than putting together a layout feature, but if there's something you plan to make/built that you feel will be of interest to your fellow hobbyists, its a worthwhile effort for sure.

When I receive your email, I will send you our Author Guidelines and Photo Tips sheet  to review. If you still have questions or concerns, I will be more than happy to address them. I will also--personally--work with you to make sure your article is as complete, accurate, and informative as possible. I am the one and only editor of the magazine, so I can assure you that you will be receiving my personal attention throughout the process. You do NOT have to be an experienced writer to submit material to the magazine. I AM an experienced writer and editor, and I will do my very best to help you construct an article that you will be proud of.

High-quality, hi-resolution photos are a must! Most smartphones today are capable of producing images that are as goods as, or better than, what could be done with an expensive set of camera gear just a decade or so ago. The more photos you can provide, the better. I am also qualified to assist you in improving shots you take if you are willing to work with me (I have two college degrees in photojournalism, have taught photojournalism at three major universities, and spent 13 years as the photo editor of what was Honolulu's major daily newspaper).

Virtually every cover photo you see on the magazine is a collaboration between the author and me. If it is a layout feature, I may spot an image that I think has good potential for the cover, but may need a bit of "tweaking." That is the norm rather than the exception. In that case, the author and I go through what can be a fairly long series of email exchanges until we arrive at a cover that both of us are happy with. Rich Melvin, even though he is retired from the magazine in a formal sense, also helps a great deal by providing feedback on images I send to him for preview placement in our cover template. I think Rich enjoys doing that.

As regards the number of photos needed: The basic guideline is the more the better. That is particularly true for layout features. I like to have a large number of photos to choose from, and for most layout features I select 15 or more for publication. Our Photo Tips Sheet will provide more specifics about this subject.

In short--although this post certainly isn't--if you are a 3-rail O gauge modeler, a 2-rail O scale devotee, or an O scale narrow gauge (On30, for example) enthusiast, I am always interested in seeing what you are willing to share with your fellow O hobbyists.

Putting together a magazine article certainly does involve time and effort, but I think that most who have published with us would agree that it was time and effort well spent. There is a sort of "permanent" aspect to seeing your article in print that the internet can't provide because cyberspace is a place where something you see today is likely to be swallowed-up in the cyber-ocean and forgotten by tomorrow. That magazine in your home is something your grandchildren or others can see and treasure years from now, even after you are long gone.

If you guys have any questions, I would be willing to give advice. Just ask, send me an email or a PM. I have 3 cover feature articles to my credit plus a bunch of smaller “how to” type articles Allan publishes every issue.

Allan also provides written guidelines to first time authors which was very helpful too. This includes your manuscript as well of photograph composition.

I agree with the comments about Mr. Miller. Allan is very much the consummate professional when it comes to helping you present your work. When I first started writing way back in Run 255, Allan walked me thru every step of the process. I remember I submitted around 250 photographs for that first article along with my manuscript. Allan calmly got me to whittle down the number of pictures to a few dozen and we went from there.

I like writing. 15 years later, I have developed my own writing style and know what Allan wants to see in my manuscripts. I rarely get any feedback on editing. We usually discuss a picture or two but that is about it. We still communicate mostly with emails and that works out just fine.

Donald

@Allan Miller posted:

Putting together a magazine article certainly does involve time and effort, but I think that most who have published with us would agree that it was time and effort well spent. There is a sort of "permanent" aspect to seeing your article in print that the internet can't provide because cyberspace is a place where something you see today is likely to be swallowed-up in the cyber-ocean and forgotten by tomorrow. That magazine in your home is something your grandchildren or others can see and treasure years from now, even after you are long gone.

I agree with this comment 100%. I like to write and always had aspirations of writing for a National Toy Train publication. Allan helped me realize my dream back with Run 255. Do not kid yourself, it is a lot of hard work to make a submission. But once it is accepted, the personal awards are measured in extreme satisfaction to see your article in print. I also have publications in CTT and the TCA Quarterly. None of that would be possible with Allan’s guidance and encouragement years ago.

Donald

Speaking from experience, I concur with everything that's been said.  While the work isn't easy, Allan does everything possible to make the process smooth.

It's worthwhile.  Please share your knowledge, ideas, and experiences.  If you don't, those things will be gone forever when you leave this planet.

From the OGR web site…

Want to be an OGR Author?

If a submitted how-to article is not published, is there a time a frame after which the author is free to publish the article anywhere else, such as the Forum ?

Allan Miller posted:

From the OGR web site…

Want to be an OGR Author?

Thanks for the reminder.

Wherein lies my own weakness:

"A good selection of quality photographs or other graphics.
For layout features, about 15 images are usually selected to appear in the magazine. However, we prefer to have more images available to choose from. Shoot some wide shots, some mid-range, and some close-up shots of individual features. Photos should, whenever possible, include trains in them since we are, after all, a model railroading magazine."

Lots of tools in the workshop.  Cameras, tripods, photo lights, staging materials...not part of the 'natural' inventory thereof.  Need a project coxwain: 'Think, do, stop, photograph, think, do, stop, photograph, think, do, stop, photograph,...repeat.'

I notice on the cable HGTV DIY home improvement/makeover channels that there's a cadre of grips, prompters, etc. that follow the work, capture the salient moments, details.  Can't afford that sort of support.  Besides, workshop too small.  Gotta figure out how to do that myself...and execute the idea in the first place.

Oy vey, I say.

That's where I need the help.

Kudos to those who are in the knows.

Appreciate the help/encouragement....really, I do.

KD

@dkdkrd posted:

Thanks for the reminder.

Wherein lies my own weakness:

"A good selection of quality photographs or other graphics.
For layout features, about 15 images are usually selected to appear in the magazine. However, we prefer to have more images available to choose from. Shoot some wide shots, some mid-range, and some close-up shots of individual features. Photos should, whenever possible, include trains in them since we are, after all, a model railroading magazine."

Lots of tools in the workshop.  Cameras, tripods, photo lights, staging materials...not part of the 'natural' inventory thereof.  Need a project coxwain: 'Think, do, stop, photograph, think, do, stop, photograph, think, do, stop, photograph,...repeat.'

I notice on the cable HGTV DIY home improvement/makeover channels that there's a cadre of grips, prompters, etc. that follow the work, capture the salient moments, details.  Can't afford that sort of support.  Besides, workshop too small.  Gotta figure out how to do that myself...and execute the idea in the first place.

Oy vey, I say.

That's where I need the help.

Kudos to those who are in the knows.

Appreciate the help/encouragement....really, I do.

KD

Take a look at the article I co-authored in Run 320.......everything was done with my Iphone 11, a few paper backdrops and a few sheets of foam core board to hold the backdrops up......

No special lighting or tripod. The camera was on automatic. I sent the pictures to Allen and he would send the ones he wanted changed with a note like:

a) move the angle a little to the right

b) make the engine the focus in the picture

c) etc

Stuff like that was an easy back and forth.....

Peter

@Richie C. posted:

If a submitted how-to article is not published, is there a time a frame after which the author is free to publish the article anywhere else, such as the Forum ?

That is a fair question. No, there is no defined time frame, and an author who submits material that remains unpublished over a long period (say 10 issues of the magazine) should first send an inquiry to me to see if we are still interested. If I respond that we are not interested for whatever reason, you, as the author, can then feel free to "shop" the article elsewhere. Keep in mind that an author--any author--should only submit an article to one publication at a time. Do NOT send the same article to competing publications as the same time. That is a big no-no in the world of publishing.

Our main competitor does things a bit differently (or at least did when I worked there years ago), and they buy articles when they accept them (we pay upon publication). Once they buy an article from you, you cannot do anything with that article even if they decide to not publish it at all. They paid for it, so it is theirs to do as they wish.

@Allan Miller posted:

That is a fair question. No, there is no defined time frame, and an author who submits material that remains unpublished over a long period (say 10 issues of the magazine) should first send an inquiry to me to see if we are still interested. If I respond that we are not interested for whatever reason, you, as the author, can then feel free to "shop" the article elsewhere. Keep in mind that an author--any author--should only submit an article to one publication at a time. Do NOT send the same article to competing publications as the same time. That is a big no-no in the world of publishing.

Our main competitor does things a bit differently, and they buy articles when they accept them (we pay upon publication). Once they buy an article from you, you cannot do anything with that article even if they decide to not publish it at all. They paid for it, so it is theirs to do as they wish.

Good info Allan

Allan, I was planning to send you an email with this question, but as of yet have not.  I think your answer would be helpful to others since reading this thread KD started. 

What about a project that I or any other Forum member has covered in a thread here on the Forum, either on a thread like " What did you do on your layout today" or a thread specific to the particular Forum member's own work.  It seems to me that many who subscribe to the magazine do not read the Forum so an article would be of value.  What are your thoughts?

@Mark Boyce posted:

What about a project that I or any other Forum member has covered in a thread here on the Forum, either on a thread like " What did you do on your layout today" or a thread specific to the particular Forum member's own work.

Because our magazine subscribers pay the most to get the material we offer, I really am only interested in original material that has not been published elsewhere (OGR Forum or otherwise). I do get ideas for good feature material from this and other forums, but in those cases I try to contact the individual hobbyist to see if he/she might be interested in creating an original article for the magazine (layout feature or how-to construction article). Many such leads come from this forum, from Facebook groups I follow, and from Instagram and YouTube.

@Allan Miller posted:

Because our magazine subscribers pay the most to get the material we offer, I really am only interested in original material that has not been published elsewhere (OGR Forum or otherwise). I do get ideas for good feature material from this and other forums, but in those cases I try to contact the individual hobbyist to see if he/she might be interested in creating an original article for the magazine (layout feature or how-to construction article). Many such leads come from this forum, from Facebook groups I follow, and from Instagram and YouTube.

Thank you, Allan!  I understand your point.  I have seen you reply to someone who posts a NEW model, idea, etc that it would make a good article.  I couldn't recall seeing you do that for something a modeler has been describing on an ongoing basis here on the forum.  I appreciate you taking the high ground, as I have seen other publications of various interests exploit material from other venues.