Freelance Contributor Guidelines

1) What We Publish

• Written features & profiles: 800–1,200 words (print). Short web stories: 400–700 words.
• Service pieces: 500–900 words (how‑tos, buying guides, seasonal roundups).
• Recipes: Clear, tested, home‑cook friendly. Headnote + ingredients + method + tips.
• Photography: People, farms, kitchens, plated dishes, process shots, ingredients, landscapes, restaurants.
• Tone: Warm, curious, accurate, positive, North Dakota‑forward. Celebrate producers and place. Avoid jargon and unverified health claims. Social topics should be inclusive and informative and not positioned as side taking.

2) Pitching & Assignments

• Pitch first. Email 1-2 paragraphs: story idea, why it matters now, sources, personal connection, estimated word count, and whether you can provide photos.
• Original work only. Please do not submit work that has already appeared in other publications. If you  have covered the topic before make sure you have a new angle or Edible ND angle.
• Diversity of voices. We welcome pitches from all communities in food and agriculture.

3) Deadlines & Process

• Typical timeline: Pitch → assignment → first draft due 3–4 weeks later → edits (1–2 rounds) → fact check → layout.
• Recipe testing: Test at least once (twice if complex). Note any special equipment or hard‑to‑find ingredients.
• Fact‑checking: Provide full names, titles, spellings, locations, dates, and source links in comments or a separate notes file.

4) Writing Standards

• Style: AP Style for grammar and capitalization (local exceptions allowed). Spell out “percent.” Avoid exclamation points.
• Attribution: Quote and cite experts, growers, and sources. Get on‑the‑record permission for any sensitive claims.
• Conflicts: Disclose financial or personal ties to businesses you cover.

5) Recipe Format (required)

• Title and (if applicable) subhead.
• Yield (e.g., “Serves 4” or “Makes 12 cookies”).
• Time: active and total (e.g., “Active 20 min; Total 1 hr”).
• Ingredients:
  • List in order of use.
  • Use U.S. volume; add gram weights when helpful.
  • Note divided amounts and temperatures.
• Method: Numbered steps; one action per step; include doneness cues (“edges golden, centers set”).
• Notes: substitutions, make‑ahead, storage, allergens (e.g., contains dairy, tree nuts), and sourcing tips.
• Credit: If inspired by/adapted from another recipe, include source and link. For close adaptations, obtain permission.

6) Photography Standards

• Deliverables: 8–20 finals per story (mix of horizontal/vertical), include at least 1 opener and 2–3 detail/process shots.
• Technical: JPG or TIFF, 300 dpi at print size; RAW files on request. Minimal edits; no heavy filters.
• Color: Shoot in natural‑looking light. Avoid mixed color casts.
• Captions & IDs: Provide a simple caption and complete IDs for people, places, products, and dishes.
• Releases: Photographers are responsible for model/property releases when applicable.
• File naming: EDND_YYYYMMDD_Slug_Creator_001.jpg (e.g., EDND_20251115_Lefse_MGoodman_001.jpg).

7) Rights & Usage

• First serial rights to Edible North Dakota for initial publication (print and digital), plus non‑exclusive archival and promotional use across our channels (website, social, newsletter, event materials).
• Creator retention: You retain copyright. After 120 days from our publication date, you may republish elsewhere with credit: “First published in Edible North Dakota.” Please notify us of subsequent publication.
• Exclusivity: Please don’t post full text or full‑resolution images prior to our publication. Teasers and BTS are welcome—tag us!

8) AI & Editing Tools

• Writing & recipes must be human‑authored. You may use AI and search tools for brainstorming, outlining, grammar, or clarity. Final work must be original and fact‑checked by you.
• Photography must be real photography. AI‑generated images will not be considered.
• Disclose tool use that materially shapes content.

9) Payment, Invoicing & Paperwork

• Rates: Set per assignment (recipes, words, photos). Your editor will confirm fixed rate upon agreement.
• Kill fee: By prior agreement only.
• Invoices: Submit after acceptance (or publication, as assigned). Include assignment title(s), deliverables, and W‑9 on file.
• Payment window: Net 30 days from invoice receipt (unless otherwise agreed).

10) Ethics & Sustainability

• Accuracy: No plagiarism, fabricated quotes, or paid placements. If paid placement was used as part of story, discussion with editor is required and will require disclosure.
• Sourcing: Prioritize local and seasonal where possible. Be transparent about sponsorships and samples.
• Respect: Obtain permission before entering private property or photographing others unless in public setting. If you are photographing minors, gain permission from guardian.

11) How to Deliver Files

• Text: Google Doc or Word; share with commenting enabled. Include a brief dek/summary and pull‑quote suggestions.
• Recipes: Submit in our recipe template (we will provide).
• Photos: Deliver via shared folder (Drive/Dropbox). Include a contact sheet PDF or thumbnails if possible.

12) Credits & Bio

• Provide a 40-100 word bio, headshot, plus one social link (FB or IG). Include exact credit line for photos.