Writers Guidelines

South Florida History is a quarterly popular history magazine published by the
Historical Museum of Southern Florida.

Purpose of the Magazine
To engage readers in stories about the history of South Florida and the Caribbean in a manner that is both educational and entertaining and is illustrated with both historic and contemporary images.

Distribution
As of February 2001, 3,800 copies of the magazine are printed, reaching an estimated readership of 6,000, including users in libraries and at other institutions receiving the magazine in their collections. Members of five institutions receive the magazine regularly with the majority of the circulation going to members of the Historical Museum of Southern Florida. Member associations include:

• Boca Raton Historical Society (Boca Raton)
• Clewiston Museum (Clewiston)
• Collier County Museum (Naples)
• Historical Museum of Southern Florida (Miami)
• The Historical Society of Palm Beach County (West Palm Beach)

History
The Historical Museum of Southern Florida began publication of the magazine in 1974 under the name Update. In 1988, the name was changed to South Florida History Magazine, and in 2000 it became South Florida History.

Presentation Style
Articles should be suitable for general audiences with interest—but not necessarily with a great deal of background—in our region’s history. The editors strive for variety and balance so that each issue contains at least one article of interest to each reader.

Style Authority
The Associated Press Stylebook and Libel Manual should be consulted on matters of style as this is the guide used by the editors of the magazine. Webster’s first choice is used when multiple spellings of a word are acceptable. Exceptions are made when the presentation form warrants.

Content
Articles should recall, retell and explore historic events, people, places and themes pertaining to southern Florida and the Caribbean. The magazine covers Florida south of Lake Okeechobee, coast to coast, and all countries in the Caribbean. Articles are generally presented as non-annotated narratives in third person or first person, and can include quotations from historic records, diaries and other documents. Exceptions are made when material warrants. Bibliographies and footnotes will not be published. Book reviews are also accepted. Reviews are encouraged for publications relating to southern Florida and the Caribbean. It is suggested that potential reviewers inquire about a specific book they would like to cover to see if a review is already in the works.

Photographs
Photographic illustration is very important in South Florida History; authors are encouraged to identify available accompanying visual material whenever possible and provide copies of such images when
submitting manuscripts. Original documents and photographs that must be returned to their owners will be copied by the Historical Museum of Southern Florida and handled according to the highest level of curatorial standards. Materials will be returned via certified delivery systems after publication of the magazine.

Submission of Articles and Book Reviews

• Articles should be 2,500 to 5,000 words, and book reviews should be approximately 300 words in length. Submissions may be edited for clarity or to meet space requirements.
• Articles may be submitted via e-mail or on a cd (PC or Macintosh), saved in a word processing format. Label cd with author’s name and article’s title.
• Photographs and other illustrative materials, if identified, should be submitted with the manuscript (copies acceptable). Scanned photographs and images may be sent electronically as well, but prints will be required upon acceptance of the article for production.
• A brief biographical sketch of the author should accompany the article.
• Articles related to the published editorial calendar must be submitted prior to the submission deadline; any other articles may be submitted at any time.
• All articles are subject to review by South Florida History editorial staff. Submission of an article does not guarantee publication. Articles will be accepted based on appropriateness of subject and quality of writing.
• Manuscripts should be sent to:
  Managing Editor, South Florida History
  Historical Museum of Southern Florida
  101 West Flagler Street
  Miami, FL 33130
  publictions@hmsf.org

The editorial staff of South Florida History strives to respond in a timely fashion to writers who have submitted manuscripts. When we receive your article we will notify you that it is under consideration for publication. If acceptable, the article becomes part of the pool of material undergoing production steps to ready them for publication. Articles are pulled from the pool and assigned to specific issues on an ongoing basis. The editors at the Historical Museum of Southern Florida maintain the right for flexibility in deciding publication dates as geographical, thematic and seasonal concerns are considered.

Due to our non-profit status, we cannot pay our contributors, but the Historical Museum of Southern Florida will send you our most sincere appreciation and ten (10) copies of the magazine.

Standards
The editorial staff of South Florida History strives for the highest level of accuracy and fairness possible when presenting the past. Standard journalistic and research practices and principles should be adhered to at all times.

The Historical Museum of Southern Florida disclaims any responsibility for errors in factual material or statements of opinions expressed by contributors.

A Word to Contributors
You are the lifeblood of South Florida History. Your time, energy and thoughtfulness in submitting a contribution are sincerely appreciated as we strive to spread interest in and understanding of our region’s rich past.