Popular Woodworking invites woodworkers of all levels into a community of experts who share their hard-won shop experience through in-depth projects and technique articles.

Features
On the average, we use four features per issue that are written by freelancers, usually professional or highly trained amateur woodworkers. Our primary needs are "how-to" articles on woodworking projects, and instructional features dealing with woodworking and techniques. We do not publish features about woodworkers and their particular work. The tone of articles should be conversational and informal, as if the writer is speaking directly to the reader. Word length ranges from 1,200 to 2,500. Payment for features starts at $250 per published page, depending on the total package submitted, including its quality, and the writer’s level of woodworking and writing experience. We receive and look at many great submissions each month, so submit your best work. Any project submitted must be aesthetically pleasing, of sound construction and offer a challenge to readers. Project submissions must include three-view construction drawings and professional slides or digital images to be considered (see "Sample Submission").

Columns
•Out of The Woodwork: This one-page article, averaging about 600 words, reflects on the writer's thoughts about woodworking as a profession or hobby. The article can be either humorous or serious. Payment starts at $250. This is a good entry-point for first-time freelancers. We purchase six of these columns a year. The writer does not need to be a professional woodworker.

•Tricks of the Trade: Payment varies from $25-$100 for this collection of tips from readers. Whenever possible, please include sketches or photos to illustrate your technique, jig, or whatever it is you’re submitting for consideration. Don't worry about the quality of your pictures, as long as they help describe what you're talking about. Our artist will use them to create a drawing for the column. For Tricks, never hesitate to submit something because "I'm not a writer." We can fix the words here. When submitting a trick, either by mail or e-mail, always include your full mailing address and phone number. We'll need to know where to send your payment or prize, and an editor will need to contact you by phone if your trick is selected for publication. If you live in the U.S.A., be aware that Popular Woodworking will need your social security number to process payment. However, to protect that information, we suggest you do not include it with your submission. If your trick is selected for publication, we'll ask you for it then. We understand that some readers submit their tricks to various magazines at the same time. That's your prerogative, of course, but be aware that no magazine likes to see the same trick in a competitor's publication. To keep everyone happy, please let us know immediately when a trick you submitted to Popular Woodworking has been accepted for publication by another magazine.

Queries
All submissions, except "Out of the Woodwork" columns and "Tricks of the Trade," should be preceded by a query. We will accept unsolicited manuscripts and artwork, although they must be accompanied by a self-addressed stamped envelope to be returned. We will try to respond to all queries within 60 days.

Queries must include:
•A brief outline of the proposed article.
•A summary of the techniques used to complete the project. Include step-by-step illustrations if possible.
•A short biographical sketch, including both your woodworking and writing experience and accomplishments. Also provide your address, daytime telephone number and e-mail address (if you have one).
•A color photo or transparency of the completed project.
•A list of all materials needed.

For an example of a submission query, you can download one here.

Manuscript Submissions
Send your manuscript via U.S. mail or e-mail to Megan Fitzpatrick, Popular Woodworking, 4700 E. Galbraith Road, Cincinnati, OH 45236 or megan.fitzpatrick@fwpubs.com.

For project articles, include the following:
1. Introduction: Describe an important point about your project or subject. What made you develop or design it? Also note any unusual qualities.
2. Preparation: Explain any work needed to be done before starting the project.
3. Instructions: Go step-by-step through the process, explaining each point without excessive detail. Include only necessary information, and write in a conversational style. When writing, keep in mind that there may be multiple ways to do any one step. Offering these options to the reader makes your manuscript more flexible and appealing. Clarify any technical words. NOTE: Brand names should only be included when they are critical to the construction or finishing process.
4. Finishing: Give complete instructions on how to finish the project.
5. Closing: Close your article with a brief paragraph that ties everything together.
6. Materials: Please provide the list of all materials used in the project, including types and sizes (thickness, width & length). Also, if materials are hard to find, include the supplier’s address and telephone number (with the price of the product & shipping, if available).
7. About the Writer: Provide a brief biography on your experience and interests.

Illustrations
Visual aids are a vital part of instruction, and essential to both projects and articles. Whenever possible, PW prefers to show through photography and diagrams how a step is done rather than tell through text. Many queries are rejected on photo quality alone.

•All projects must include high-quality, well-lit photos. We only accept slides and digital images. We don't accept prints. The opening photo for the article is almost always shot in medium (2-1/4") format or with a professional-quality digital camera to account for the enlargement in the magazine.
•All projects must include a fully dimensioned three-view construction drawing with an accurate cut list.
•If a complex technique is necessary for the project, make a suggestion for a special "sidebar" demonstrating it. Sidebars also can be used as an important source of additional information, such as suggesting alternative methods or tools.
•All artwork, photographs and drawings will be returned upon request.

For an example of a complete submission, you can download one here.

Originality and Rights
All material submitted must be original and unpublished. Popular Woodworking purchases first world rights for one-time use in the magazine, and all rights for use of the article (both text and illustrations) in any F+W Publications Inc. promotional material/product or reprint, and in non-fee paying areas of our web site. You always retain the copyright to your work, and are free to use it in any way after it appears in the magazine. We request, however, that you do not publish the same material for at least six months from the time it appears in our publication.

Popular Woodworking’s Guide to Writing and Style
•Write as if you're standing beside the readers as they follow your instruction. Use second person (ex: Cut the wood size). Only use first person when talking specifically about yourself (ex: I chose oak, but any wood will do.).
•Writing should be concise and straightforward.
•Watch redundancies and get rid of unnecessary words, such as that, all, rather, in order, very, etc.

Final Checklist
Although the following reminders are simple, they’ve been neglected by writers in the past. So make sure your manuscript meets these requirements when you read it over a final time:
•Make sure you’re getting your point across to the readers. Look at the article through their eyes—not your own experienced ones.
•Double check all measurements and facts to make sure they’re correct. Error-plagued manuscripts will not be published.
•Watch the overuse of you and I. It does make the piece more personable, but use sparingly. Often you can get the same point across after omitting them.
•Make sure all punctuation is used correctly.