JUST LABS is published six times a year: January,
March, May, July, September, and November.
We
think you’ll find every article and every picture in JUST
LABS touching and worthwhile. And part of
the way we plan to make that so is by getting you involved! JUST
LABS will
offer you, the subscriber, a chance to participate in the magazine
like no other magazine has before. Photo contests, essay
contests, sharing your letters and tales – JUST
LABS may
just help you and your dog become stars!
There are
some guidelines for submission of your stories and pictures to
the magazine so we can offer you the best possible chance of
getting your material on the pages of JUST LABS. Please pay attention to
these guidelines, and be sure to “earmark” each of
your submissions with the particular category you are submitting
it under.
Subscriber Photos
This section is dedicated to the pooches frolicking in the yard
or around the house of our subscribers. We know that everyone
has a favorite picture of their Lab; due to the large response
and popularity of this section, we require that any hard copy
photo you submit be a duplicate and not your one-and-only prized
photograph. A duplicate can be made at any photo store
for minimal expense; please send that duplicate because the
photos will not be able to be returned.
You may submit your own subscriber photo
the following ways
For digital photos, we have certain requirements:
- Please do not submit a print-out
of a photo taken with a digital camera. We would rather work
with the digital file.
- Your digital camera must be
at least 3 megapixels or higher, and you must set
your camera to its highest resolution. Consult your manual!
- You
will know you have a photo that is capable of being printed
in the magazine if, when you look at it in any photo editing
software, it has properties of at least 1000 pixels x
1000 pixels; or a resolution of 300 dpi at
a physical size of 3”x5” (or greater).
Finally,
please include a fun, one- or two-sentence caption
with your name, dog’s name, and location.
Halloween Photo Contest
A subscriber favorite! By June 1, submit your photo of your Lab
dressed up in his or her Halloween outfit. Photos are voted on
by the entire company! The winner will receive a mocked-up cover
of JUST LABS with their photo on it; all top vote getters will
have their photographs published and receive three free issues
of the magazine to share with family and friends!
Sorta Stupid Lab Tricks
Though most people can get their Labs to do pretty amazing things – just
watch what field trial, agility test, or search-and-rescue dogs
do – we must admit it: We also have them do some
pretty funny, ridiculous stuff. In “Sorta Stupid
Lab Tricks,” we’ll let you write in with an explanation
of how readers can teach a trick to their Lab. If yours
passes our crack staff, we’ll publish it. Don’t
forget to include a picture of your Lab performing his sorta-stupid
trick. The word limit for this regular column is between
300-600 words.
Above and Beyond
Our Labs are heroes in our own lives, particularly in how they
help us see that a good time can be enjoyed in just about any
circumstance. But there are some truly unique and heroic
stories out there of Labs going “Above and Beyond” the
simple call of dogdom. We want to hear about them – Labs
warning about a fire, saving a drowning child, fending off
a burglar, and many more. Be sure to include a picture
of your hero Lab. Word limit cannot exceed 1,200 words.
Essay Contest
Everyone has their own special stories about their Lab to share,
and at Just Labs, we’re interested in hearing them, too. Once
a year, we will have an essay contest in which you can tell
your tales to us; we will publish the top essays in our anniversary
issue (May/June). Deadline for submission will be October
31 of each year; essays (or poems) must be submitted as either
an MS Word attached file, or on a disk with a double-spaced
hard copy; word limit cannot exceed 1,500 words; topics for
the essay include anything you can think of about your Lab;
the top essayists will have their stories published; the winner
will receive free copies of the magazine for family and friends,
and a free year’s subscription to Just Labs!
Tips for Submitting
- All written submissions (“Sorta Stupid Lab Tricks,” “Above
and Beyond,” “Essay Contest,” etc.)
should be submitted as an MS Word attached file to the
e-mail listed below, or on a disk along with a double-spaced
hard copy.
- Most hard copy photos submitted cannot be returned, so please
send a duplicate.
- Please label all correspondence
with what category you are aiming for with your submission. We’ll
try to get off a quick e-mail or note saying we received
it.
- Deadlines vary, so stay tuned to
notifications in each issue of Just Labs.
- Pay attention to word count in your written submissions.
Thanks for
all your participation!
You and your Lab help make JUST LABS all
it can be!
Send submissions to:
Jason Smith
Editor, JUST LABS
2779 Aero Park Dr.
Traverse City, MI 49686
jake@villagepress.com
Web Participation Guidelines
Features
Should focus on these major topics: breeding/ genetics; puppy
issues; fun things to do with your Lab; Labs as service dogs;
caring, feeding, and health; history; legal issues. 1,000-1,200
words.
Training Tip
Obedience and drills you know or have developed yourself. 300-500
words.
Kids’ Art
Corner
Follow Just Labs cartoonist Tom Goldsmith’s
drawing lessons and send in the finished product for us to
post! Scan and e-mail the image to nat@villagepress.com or
mail to
Nat Almirall
Web Editor, Just Labs
2779 Aero Park Dr.
Traverse City, MI 49686
Subscriber Forum
Nifty Lab tricks you’d like to share with fellow subscribers
to eulogies for that special dog you’ve laid to rest.
Photo illustration is preferred, and the tribute can even be
just a caption to a special photo. 300-800 words.
Send Submissions to:
Jill Swan
Web Editor
Just Labs
jswan@villagepress.com
Subscriber Photos
- Please send a digital file.
- Make sure your photo has properties of at least 500
pixels x 500 pixels.
- Please include a fun, one- or two-sentence
caption with your name, dog’s name, and location.
Submit your digital photos to subscriberphotos@justlabsmagazine.com.
Subscriber
Participation Guidelines