Submissions

Contributor proposals for Caribbean Beat

Caribbean Beat welcomes material for review, as well as contributor proposals from writers, illustrators and photographers. Please read the following information for more detailed information, and what to do next if you think your work would be a good fit.

Submissions which do not meet these guidelines and requirements may not be considered.

Story & feature pitches

Important information about the process

Most published material is commissioned, often on the basis of a strong, clear pitch or proposal from a writer, illustrator, or photographer.

Please note:

• Proposals must include:
  • a strong story/feature pitch — with not only a compelling subject or topic, but an engaging angle or way of framing the story. This applies not just to writers and photographers, but to publicists making pitches for their clients to be featured in the magazine.
  • writing samples similar to the style of the magazine, and a little about the writer/photographer/illustrator.
• On-spec material: We occasionally consider on-spec material without commitment — particularly if it is a package of good writing plus good illustrations and/or photography and is timely. Please see the “What we’re looking for” section below for more to ensure what you’ve written is compatible with what we publish.
• Caribbean authors: We prefer to work with authors based in the Caribbean and its diaspora, though all proposals which meet our guidelines will be considered and kept on file.
• Subjects recently covered: We generally do not consider proposals for subjects which we have covered in recent issues.
• Lead time: The magazine has a 3–4 month lead time, so that pieces with a seasonal hook should be proposed with that in mind. This also means that coverage of events after the fact is limited to our website if budget permits.
• Payments for both photographs and editorial are made after publication, and are subject to the terms laid out in our Contributors Agreement.

What we’re looking for

Writing

1. Style & audience:
   1. It is essential for features to be strongly written, well researched and insightful, with a light and readable style — laced where possible with vivid description, humour, anecdote or human interest.
   2. The magazine’s readership consists partly of Caribbean travellers of all ages and backgrounds who already know the region well — or at least their part of it; and partly of holiday and business travellers coming into the Caribbean, many of whom are unfamiliar with the region except for the stereotypes. We consequently need contributors to be able to address a broad audience, with lively, entertaining writing combined with a serious and informative approach to subject matter.
2. Length: We consider feature articles of up to 1,000–1,200 words (occasionally, a bit longer) on any subject of general Caribbean interest, as well as shorter pieces about current events, etc.
3. Subjects: Stories about emerging talent, or fresh angles on well-covered subjects, are preferred. The point of view should be that of a well-informed insider writing about the things the Caribbean does best.

Photography & illustrations

The magazine depends heavily on good pictures and illustrations, and buys stock material and commissioned photography as necessary. All photos should be 300 dpi, and clearly captioned.

Editing

All material is subject to editing changes at the editor’s sole discretion. Major changes or rewrites will normally be discussed with the author. Where extensive editing or rewriting is required, the magazine reserves the right to make adjustments to the author’s fee.

For more, feel free to contact us.

Events

Caribbean Beat generally runs curtain-raisers for major events and festivals in the region in each bimonthly print issue, and includes many in our festival calendar.

If you would like to have your event considered for inclusion, please send us the details (date, location, cost, and description of the event) at least three months in advance.

Please note that because of our 3–4 month lead time, post-event coverage is limited to our website.

For more, feel free to contact us.

Reviews

Books, music, & film/TV/video

Caribbean Beat reviews new, recent, and forthcoming books, music, films, and other select material for and about the Caribbean, and/or of Caribbean interest. The material submitted typically should be as yet unreleased, and/or not more than 6–12 months old. Some exceptions may be made in compelling circumstances. Scholarly works typically are only reviewed when they might be relevant to non-specialist readers.

If you are a publisher or copyright holder of qualifying books, music, or films — or other material that you would like to propose, and which we may consider without commitment — please send us an email query at the first instance clearly listing the title (and subtitle where appropriate), author’s/artist’s name, publisher’s/producer’s name and full contact information, release date, price, as well as a biography of the artist and any other relevant details.

Should the title be appropriate for review consideration, we will then ask you to send a digital copy of the work to us.

NB: Please note that unsolicited material is unlikely to be considered, and that hard copies of any materials will not be accepted unless hand delivered locally to our office in Trinidad. As above, please ensure you email us before sending any materials, whether in soft or hard copy.