Writer Guidelines

Charlotte Parent magazine is a monthly publication with a circulation of 52,000 covering seven counties. As Charlotte's leading parenting resource, our readers include parents, teachers, child-care providers and other advocates for children ages newborn through teens. Each issue has a theme,  regular features and departments. We seek new perspectives, voices and viewpoints from local parents about the issues that impact families.

We welcome e-mail submissions from freelance writers. Our policy is to buy one-time print rights with exclusivity within our region and the right to post the story on our website. Reprints of articles from publications outside our region are also considered. We run several feature articles on topics related to our monthly theme. Features require thorough research (citing a minimum of three reliable sources), knowledge of our audience and concise interviewing and writing skills. Articles on topics other than the issue's theme are also considered. We prefer articles and essays with local relevance. Word counts range from 500 to 1,200 words.

Submitting Articles & Queries

Queries and articles should be e-mailed to the editorial department. Articles are accepted in MS Word format and pasted into the body of the email, with author's name, address, phone number and word count on the first page of the story. The editorial department reserves the right to edit for clarity, length and style. If major revisions are needed, you will be contacted. Please remember that we receive many more submissions than we can use. We may not be able to respond personally to every query.

Accompanying photographs, especially electronic art (300+dpi preferred), are welcome.

We use the Associated Press Stylebook and Webster's New World Dictionary.

Deadlines: 2-3 months before issue is printed.

Payments: Fees vary depending on the length, depth and use of the story. Assigned articles generally pay $45-$125, and reprints pay $15-$35. Writers are paid following publication. Tearsheets provided with payment. We do not pay kill fees.

January: Healthy  and Families; Education Directory

• Annual Baby Guide

February: Summer Camps; Sports & Kids; Residential Camps Directory

March: Tweens and Teens; Day Camp Directory

• NC College Guide Section

April: Food and Family

• Annual Exceptional Child Guide

May: N.C. Family Travel and Vacations

June: Birthdays, Summer Fun and Party Planning Directory

• Annual Ultimate Family Resource Guide

July: Pregnancy and Childbirth

*Annual Ultimate Family Resource Guide

...featuring Local Readers Favorites

August: Back to School; After-School and Enrichment Directory

September: Work and Family; N.C. Family-Friendly 50

October: Fall Fun & Halloween

November: Thanksgiving Holidays

Annual Education Guide

December: Holiday Guide; Preschool Directory

Last revised 1/2012.

Events listed in the Charlotte Parent calendar are typically:

• free or low-cost activities

• targeted to parents or families

• annual or featured events that may require paid admission, but are decided to be important community or entertainment attractions applicable to families and kids. Examples: holiday events, parades, street fairs, weekend festivals, local children’s plays or children’s character concerts.

Submit your event directly online or email us. Priority is given to direct online event submissions. If e-mailing, include:

• event name

• date and time

• location and address

• cost

• public contact phone number

• website

• short description

Include high-resolution electronic images if you would like to be considered for a calendar pick.

Deadline: the 8th of the preceding month. Events received later than the 8th will be posted in the online calendar in a timely manner throughout the month.

All submissions will be considered for publication. Inclusion is based on editorial space and event relevance at the discretion of the editor.