Submission Guidelines
Learn how to submit your research and stories to Lakes Letter
Submission Guidelines
Lakes Letter welcomes submissions from Great Lakes researchers, practitioners, educators, and writers. We seek engaging, accessible content that advances public understanding of Great Lakes science and environmental issues.
What We're Looking For
Feature Articles (1,500-2,500 words)
In-depth explorations of Great Lakes research, policy challenges, or environmental issues. Features should be:
- Based on peer-reviewed research or expert knowledge
- Written for a general audience (minimal jargon)
- Supported by data, images, or other multimedia
- Relevant to multiple stakeholder groups
Research Briefs (500-800 words)
Concise summaries of recent scientific findings related to the Great Lakes. Briefs should:
- Highlight new or significant research findings
- Explain the broader implications for Great Lakes science or management
- Include citations to original research
Member Spotlights (Q&A format, 800-1,200 words)
Interviews with Great Lakes researchers highlighting their work, career path, and insights. Contact the editors if you'd like to nominate someone for a spotlight.
Book Reviews (600-1,000 words)
Reviews of recent books relevant to Great Lakes research, policy, or environmental issues.
Submission Process
- Query First – Send a brief pitch (200-300 words) describing your proposed article to the Lakes Letter editors
- Review – Editors will respond within 2 weeks regarding interest
- Draft Submission – If your pitch is accepted, submit a complete draft by the agreed deadline
- Editing – Editors will work with you to refine the article for clarity and accessibility
- Publication – Accepted articles are published in the next available quarterly issue
Style Guidelines
- Audience: Write for educated non-specialists
- Tone: Professional but accessible; avoid excessive jargon
- Citations: Link to original research; use in-text citations sparingly
- Images: High-resolution (300 dpi minimum); include captions and credits
- Permissions: Authors are responsible for obtaining necessary permissions for images and quoted material
Submission Deadlines
| Issue | Submission Deadline | Publication Date |
|---|---|---|
| Spring (May) | March 1 | May 1 |
| Summer (August) | June 1 | August 1 |
| Fall (November) | September 1 | November 1 |
| Winter (February) | December 1 | February 1 |
Contact
For submission inquiries, contact the Lakes Letter editorial team at office@iaglr.org