“There are three rules for writing a novel. Unfortunately, no one knows what they are.”
– W. Somerset Maugham
Despite the quote above, Maugham knew far more about writing than he admitted. His lifetime output included 20 novels, dozens of plays, short stories, and several volumes of travel writing. In one of his most successful books, The Razor’s Edge, he dared readers to skip a fascinating section that does not advance the story. He did mention that this section describes a conversation that was the inspiration for writing the book. Readers who ignored his suggestion were rewarded.
At The Instrumentalist, we hear often from prospective authors who want to know more about submitting an article for publication. The unhelpful answer is that we know a good article when we see it. Some articles earn a place in our pages after we read just a few paragraphs. Others require some discussion and revision. We don’t have many requirements, but we do have a few thoughts about what makes a successful article.
• Most successful articles run approximately 1,250-2,500 words. If you have read some of the classic articles by Frederick Fennell, you know we have gone over the suggested length from time to time, but generally additional words are just padding that lead away from the main topic. A great article can run a bit long; a bad article can’t end fast enough.
• Our topic is music and music education. We don’t write about politics or current trends. There are plenty of people in the world who want to tell you what to think. Our goal is to give directors practical information and ideas to help them build better ensembles and thriving music programs.
• The best articles come out of your experiences in class. No one wants to describe their mistakes in print, but those moments might be exactly what an unsure novice director needs to hear. We receive plenty of articles that tell readers what to do. Those pieces become even more authoritative and meaningful when backed up by detailed stories and examples. A terrific article might grow out of what happened during a difficult rehearsal on a Tuesday afternoon.
• We are always looking for strong instrument clinics. No matter how many instruments you have learned to play as a director, there is always something you don’t know. We have recounted how William Revelli used to take the train to Chicago to take lessons with Chicago Symphony players so he could share the knowledge with his students in Hobart, Indiana. His century-old example illustrates a growth mindset long before it had a name. Our clinics are written in the spirit of learning that never ends.
• Our readership is wide, from future teachers still in high school to acclaimed directors with multiple Midwest appearances. It is nearly impossible to write an article that connects with every reader, but it helps to remember who your audience is.
• You are our best source for new article ideas. Directors on the ground know who is doing great work in their state or which clinicians led convention sessions that had the audience buzzing afterwards. If you see something deserving a wider audience, let us know.
• If you are not sure if you are on the right track as you write, send us your first page or two. We love taking a look at an article in its infancy. It lets us provide encouragement and perhaps some direction about ideas to emphasize and areas to avoid.
• With new authors, the first submission is usually the hardest to get published. We like straight-ahead writing that teaches readers how to do something better. Avoid flowery prose or jokey asides. An article that examines a smaller topic in depth nearly always works better than one that skims through many ideas with limited depth.
• Be aware that the pace of making magazines is often slow. It may take several months from the first email to an article in print.
We are so grateful for the authors who share their expertise and make our work so rewarding. If you have an idea that would help others, get in touch. We would love to explore it with you!
James M. Rohner, Publisher
editor@theinstrumentalist.com
