Types of Articles

Generally speaking, an article should take into account the special needs and desires of the readers of T'AI CHI. Many are beginners or thinking about starting classes. Many are serious students, and have studied and even taught for years.

They are interested in many aspects: self-defense, internal skills, health, meditation, fitness, self-improvement, ch'i cultivation, Traditional Chinese Medicine (acupuncture, herbs, massage, etc.) and spiritual growth.

More specifically, articles may be a feature or interview about a style, self-defense techniques, principles and philosophy, training methods, weapons, case histories of benefits, or new or unusual uses for T'ai Chi Ch'uan. Try to avoid profiles of teachers that focus just on their many skills and accomplishments. Interviews with teachers or personalities should focus on their unique or individual insights into T'ai Chi Ch'uan, internal martial arts, qigong, or Traditional Chinese Medicine rather than on their personal achievement or ability, although their background can be woven into the article.

Examples of the uses could be teaching the disabled, teaching of T'ai Chi Ch'uan in a corporate or medical environment, or martial techniques. New approaches to teaching or practice or the basic principles are almost always of interest as long as it doesn't promote a particular teacher or school. When planning and writing the article ask yourself: Is the material new or fresh? Is it useful to practitioners? Is it interesting?

An examination of past issues is one of your best guides to what we publish.

Present the information clearly, fairly, and objectively. Quotations, anecdotes, examples, and parallel references help make an article more readable and interesting. Try not to just tell the reader what to do, but give examples that show how to do it. Writing that is simple and direct is understood best. If organization of the article is a problem, try a question and answer format.

If you want to discuss a story possibility first, please feel free to contact me by phone or with a note or by e-mail at taichi@tai-chi.com.

Please do not send articles that are simultaneously sent to other publications, unless it specifies on the first page that it is a news release or that it has been submitted elsewhere, too.
Also, please do not send articles that you have put on your web site or plan to put on your web site. We pay for articles and do not want to have to pay for an article that you are giving away free on your website. Our subscribers should not have to pay to read articles that are available free on a website.
We appreciate that many people now have their own websites and want to include good articles to attract visitors. But it is best that you create your own material for your website that is distinct from whatever you submit to us.

Manuscript Specifications

Manuscripts should be typed, double-spaced, with a margin not more than 80 characters wide. Put a tentative title on the front page. Put the title abbreviated on each subsequent page with a page number. At the end of the article write "-30-" to indicate it is complete.

It must include your name, address, phone number and e-mail address on the first page and the best times to reach you by phone.

Include a paragraph about yourself and also about the subject if it is an interview with someone else. Articles can be from 500 to 3500 words long or more. Payment can range from $75.00 to $500.00, depending on the length and quality of the article. This includes payment for photos. Payment is on publication. Payment is usually within 30 days of publication.

If you send the article via the internet as an attachment, please given them specific names. Don't call them "Tai Chi article." Example, "JohnDoe_Internal energy.doc."

If possible, include one or more 4 X 6, 5 X 7 or 8 X 10 glossy black and white prints. Color photos can be used but may print a little dark, red colors in particular. Indicate if you want them returned.

If you want to send photos via the internet, they should be 300 pixels per inch (ppi) and in rgb format. They can be saved as tiff files, pdf, or jpeg. Same for files saved on a CD. If you have questions about this, contact us.

The photos should have identification of the individuals in the photo written on a separate piece of paper sent with the photos or on a post-it on the photo. If sent via internet, give them a number and name and send a separate word document with a written description. Give specific names. Don't call them "tai chi photos." If the photo is of a posture, the name of the style and posture should be given. Don't write on the back of photos. Model releases are required. Releases authorizing use of the photos should be dated and witnessed.

Contact Information
Marvin Smalheiser, Editor/Publisher
P.O. Box 39938
Los Angeles, CA 90039
Tel.: (323) 665-7773
Fax: (323) 665-1627
E-mail: taichi@tai-chi.com