Writing for Planned Giving Today®

Submission Guidelines

PGT welcomes article submissions from the gift-planning community

Readers of Planned Giving Today represent a variety of institutions, organizations, and estate planning professions throughout the United States and Canada. Some of our readers are new to the planned giving field, others are seasoned veterans. All of them have at least one thing in common: a desire to more effectively serve the planned giving needs of their constituents.

SUBMISSION GUIDELINES

Articles should be original material prepared specifically for PGT. Content should be fresh, accurate, and practical. At the same time, we realize that some material may be better the "second time around." Consequently, we will consider rewrites of previously published articles and condensed presentation manuscripts.

Manuscripts should be typed, double-spaced, and surrounded with wide margins. Place the working title of the article and the author's name, address, phone, fax, and email address on the first page. Include the name, title, and page number on each additional page. Preferred article length is 700 - 1,400 words; please verify all facts and provide source information for each quote.

Please submit your manuscript as an attachment via email (roger@pgtoday.com). While we use Microsoft Word, generic RTF (rich text format) text is acceptable. Note: We cannot be responsible for lost or unreturned manuscripts or disks.

Authors are required to sign an authorization form prior to the publication of their articles. This form indicates that the original manuscript of the article is and continues to be the sole property of the author and that the author retains the copyright after publication. Among other things, the form also outlines various rights the author gives the publisher regarding the future use of the published article.

Published articles will carry the byline of the author and a brief biographical note. Authors will be listed in the year-end index of contributors and other appropriate indices. Upon publication, each author will receive, via first-class mail, three complimentary copies of PGT containing his/her article. Authors are free to make unlimited copies of their own articles. Special article reprints, with PGT logo, are available to authors at a modest discount.

We also accept fillers such as Letters to the Editor and Trench Tales. Preferred length, 200 words. A Trench Tale is an interesting or amusing story relating to your work as a charitable gift planner; something we can all learn from. Trench Tale submissions will be considered for possible inclusion on the PGT website as well as in our newsletter, Planned Giving Today. Please submit only unpublished stories which you desire to place in public domain, free of any authorship claims and available for unrestricted use. All names are withheld.

WRITING TIPS

Begin with an outline to make sure your thoughts are complete and organized. Then write out the manuscript and set it aside for 24 hours. Rewrite it. Keep it simple. Be clear. Write conversationally and use picturesque language and anecdotes to communicate your ideas. Weed out extra verbiage. Opt for short paragraphs, short sentences, short words. Include subheads to break up long stretches of text.

For topic suggestions, email roger@pgtoday.com.

PROSPECTIVE ARTICLE CATEGORIES

How-to — a practical, here's-how-to-do-it piece with simple, straight-forward steps for putting the program ideas into practice (i.e., "How to Market Deferred Gift Annuities").
Good Idea — fresh ideas for enhancing a current program (i.e., "Ten Tips for Improving Your Next Wills Seminar").
Case Study — an up-close look at the process leading to a deferred gift (i.e., "How The Wilson's CRAT").
Essay — a thoughtful look at one aspect of planned giving (i.e., "The Pros and Cons of Managing Charitable Trusts").
Technical — a carefully crafted piece explaining a legal or tax-related matter. Requires clarity of thought and presentation. Use illustrations. (i.e., "CRUTs, Options and Problem Properties").
Editorial — a concise piece expressing an opinion about a subject relevant to planned giving (i.e., "Let's Get Back to the Basics").
How-to — a practical, here's-how-to-do-it piece with simple, straight-forward steps for putting the program ideas into practice (i.e., "How to Market Deferred Gift Annuities").
Profile — an easy-flowing portrait of another person or program in planned giving, highlighting the features that especially impress you (i.e., "Conrad Teitell: Guru of Gift Planners").
Personal Growth — ideas, suggestions to help us move forward in our personal and professional development (i.e., "The PG Blues: How to Get Your Zeal Back").
Personal Experience — first-person piece relating to your own experience in the planned giving arena (i.e., "My 25-Year Love Affair with PG").
Snafus in Planned Giving — a light, first-person account of your part in obtaining or losing a discombobulated planned gift and what you learned from the fiasco. Inject humor.
Book or Product Review — a thoughtful, critical look of a new book or product you have encountered relating to planned giving (i.e., "The Mother of All Manuals").
News Feature — a report on a recent event or development in planned giving (i.e., "Tax Deduction Eliminated for Planned Gifts").
Marketing Exchange Item — generic article for PGT readers to reprint in their own publications.
Fillers — nutshell marketing ideas, quotes, Trench Tales, humorous anecdotes, cartoons, etc.

Every article submitted to PGT will receive thoughtful consideration. We welcome the novice writer. If the content is worthwhile, but weakly presented, we will work with the writer to bring the manuscript up to speed. We desire to involve as many members of the planned giving community as possible.

DEADLINE

Articles are due on the 1st of each month, eight weeks prior to the issue date (i.e., copy for the December issue is due on October 1st). Along with your submission, please include a brief biographical paragraph about yourself.

SUBMIT ARTICLES TO:

roger@pgtoday.com