Editorial Guidelines

For Our Readers:

emPower magazine wants you to tell us your story. We are always looking for story ideas from our readers. Did you endure a life-altering experience? Are you or someone you know a success story? Is there a non profit or grassroots organization that would be a great fit for Grassroots Giver section? Do you have a social issue/cause you want emPower magazine to cover? Did a story you read in emPower magazine prompt you to take action? If so, we want to hear from you. Contact us at [email protected] and tell your idea.

Living Positive Series--emPower is looking for people living with or affected by HIV/AIDS to share their story. Email [email protected] and put "living positive" in the subject line.

Volunteer Adventures--which is a video submission or blog chronicling an individual's community service. Submit videos to [email protected] and put "volunteer adventures" in the subject line.

For Contributors:

We are glad you have chosen emPower as a means of impacting YOUR world through journalism. We offer various ways to contribute to emPower. We are looking for dedicated writers, videographers, broadcasters and photographers, who are interesting in using field to better the Black community. Beginners to seasoned professionals are welcomed, but you at least have to be a natural at writing/photography/videography. If this is you, keep reading.

Although we are not able to pay staff and contributors, we offer an array of ways to get your name and our cause exposed to a wider audience. Contributors will:
1) have a short bio listed at the bottom of your article
2) have a link from your byline to the contributors' page
3) obtain a section on the contributors' page that will post your picture along with your name, a short bio, future projects (outside of emPower such as novel, personal blog, business adventures, etc.), website link (or blog), email address.
4) get a warm and fuzzy feeling inside knowing that you are changing your community and improving your world one article/video/podcast/photo at a time.

STORY SUBMISSIONS

To submit your ideas, please write a query letter that explains your story concept, proposed story length, possible experts and why (and how) this story would benefit emPower readers. Query letters should be no more than one page in length, and should have the section in which you are pitching in the subject line (for features, type "Feature" in the subject line). Be sure to include a daytime telephone and an email address. We only accept email story ideas. Send them to [email protected].

Regular Columns/Departments:

Social Issues -- are on various topics that goes deeper into the stories that are reported in the news, current events or culture.

Nation -- current U.S. news that shape the lives of African Americans.

Global -- current news focusing on Blacks around the World.

Soul Life -- reviews and commentary on books, feel good music, movies/documentaries, plays/musicials.

Travel Tales -- Did you have a blast in Belize? Did you get your "groove back" in Guam? Did you take pictures of your big adventure? If so, we want to hear from you. Written in a first-person narrative, writers share how their lives were transformed during a vacation.
 
In Harmony -- features on exercise, food/drink, medical research, faith/spirtuality.

My Sanctuary -- teaches readers how to make their place of residence a subdue, getaway and private santuary through innovative design techniques.

Grassroots Giver -- spotlights everyday people (one person, group or organization) who are making a positive impact in their community. Their cause is highlighted along with contact information on ways to give with money or your time.

Operation Green -- tips on living a green, organic lifestyle.

Just For Fiction -- There are two section in this department. First, readers can submit poetry, which can be featured each issue of emPower. In "Tag, You Write," in each issue, one reader is chosen to complete the next chapter of a short story started, which was started by emPower staff.

Educate Us -- education issues/ trends facing people of color (K-12 and higher education).

Young Gifted & Black -- showcasing incredible young African Americans under the age of 18.

Star Power -- celebrities' philanthropy, activism, civic participation and volunteerism is featured.

Why This Matters -- from the 2012 election, outsourced factory jobs, No Child Left Behind, Darfur, the war in Iraq to technological advances; this department will show why these topics are important to the African American community and how it affects their families, finances and careers.

Mission Accomplished -- written in a first-person narrative, readers will tell how they: graduated from college at the age of 60, went from welfare to a business owner, faced a fear by going skydiving, etc.

Soul Life -- reviews and commentary on books, feel good music, movies/documentaries, plays/musicials.

Photo Submissions

Do you have a knack for capturing the essence of a story through a digital camera, while breathing life into a still photo. We are always looking for photo collages for our "Photos of the Week" section. Send your collage idea to [email protected]. Please type "Photo Submission" in the subject line.

Video Submissions

Can you work a video camera? Is there a particular subject or cause that you would like to explore through your video camera? Here is how it works. In our "Life Documented" section, seasoned or amateur videographers can submit 15-30 minute short documentaries of any topic/cause that would be of interest to the Black community. Send your video idea to us and we will let you know if we will feature it in emPower. If approved, we will give you instructions on how to submit and upload the video for our usage. Send your ideas to [email protected]. Please type "Video Submission" in the subject line.