Want to Write for Us?
The Editor apologizes for the harsh tone of these instructions
- they are like that because the people they are for don't read them... [hint hint]

Did you know that the people who write for the Inkpot are all volunteers? Cool huh? Meet

THE INKPOTTERS of today and yesterday!

• You may wish to note that we are a Singapore-based group and publication.

• If you are not in Singapore, you can still submit CD reviews. We have a handful of American and British friends who continue to do so, and we are very proud to have them here. The exception to concert reviews is the Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra. We very much welcome your input if you ever attend an MPO performance. Malaysians reviewing the MPO absolutely welcome too.

• We try to maintain very high standards at The Flying Inkpot. Your review may not be accepted immediately. Rest assured however, that much consultation and advice will be offered to you to improve your review; and of course, you will always have your right to defend yourself. Don't be frightened - we love music because there is something in it that we want to express. Reviewing it and sharing with others is one way of doing it, but it is a complex process fraught with great and serious responsibilities that should never be underestimated.

• Don't try to submit a review if you have not read any of ours. It's very obvious to the Editor (who has read all 900+ articles in the Classical Inkpot) when you do so. Familiarise yourself with the tone, style, length, depth and information required in our reviews by reading them; then, write and submit your review accordingly. Our reviews are all archived permanently in the Inkvault Classical Reviews Archive.

• Download this simple template (text file) for submissions for CD reviews. Simply fill it in like a form. A concert review template is also available. Remember to include your tagline.

• Email the whole review either as a Rich Text Format (*.rtf) attachment or in a simple text email to The Classical Music Editor. MS Word documents are not advised, due to their vulnerability to viruses and incompatibility problems . If you use MS Word to type your article, "Save As" Text or Rich Text Format.

• Images. You need not provide images, as we can usually get our own. Images which you would like to offer for use should be sent as separate files. Images sent MUST NOT exceed 30 Kb each.

• Avoid sending reviews of deleted CDs, ancient CDs (unless they are classics), or CDs which are available only on Mars.

• Observe international characters. Language must be respected - always use international characters where required, for example: Pathétique, Laß Fürstin, Alliance Française, Fauré, Thaïs, Saint-Saëns, Eugène Ysaÿe, etc. If you do not know how to produce these on the keyboard, learn to. (Eg. Use MS Word and search for Help. Remember to save your reviews in Rich Text Format).

• Please don't rush your review. Write it. Put it aside for a few days. Come back to it and refine it, then send it.
  
  
• Word Length. As a *general* rule of a thumb, reviews should be between 500 to 1200 words. Reviews exceeding 1500 words are not unheard of, but that's a bit too long.

• Detail. If the music is not well-known, you are expected to "dwell a bit" on an inktroduction. Do some research - writers must learn too.

• Insight. The best reviews are those which offer insight, to even the oldest CDs or the most-discussed music.

• Please be coherent. The Editor sometimes gets incoherent reviews and is willing to clean up your language for you; but as far as you can, write coherently.

• Copyright. Copying someone else's words as your own is a major crime. If you quote from another's writing, make sure you provide full bibliographical details of your source: Author, Title of Publication, Publisher, Place and Date of Publication; and any other pertinent details.

• Yourself. Please do introduce yourself when you contact us! We want to know what music you love! And you will find that identifying your name in full is VERY USEFUL too.

• Tagline. Please include a tagline for your review. (Those lines about yourself at the end of articles).

• Email the whole review either as a Rich Text Format (*.rtf) attachment or in an email to The Classical Music Editor.

• The Editor is Derek Lim; please do not be surprised or run away screaming when he replies to you.... :)