Writing for the Louisiana Freemason and other Masonic Papers

Feature Articles to be considered should be between 750 and 1000 words, in MSWord® or WordPerfect® formats. Times New Roman 10pt font and single line spacing is preferred. It should include the full name of the author, Masonic Lodge affiliation and Jurisdiction if outside of Louisiana.

Articles pertaining to Lodge events should be limited to two or three paragraphs with the 4 W’s in mind, Where, When, Why and Who. The articles can be submitted electronically or through regular mail. If the article is to be sent by US Mail, the article should be typed or printed legibly. If using electronic mail, the article can be submitted as an email or as an attachment. Photographs accompanying the articles are solicited but not required for addition to the magazine. Pictures, mailed through the Postal Service, should be no larger than 3×5 or 4×6, B/W or color and originals. Do not send photographs reproduced on copier machines, pictures printed in newspapers or in a format that will not easily scan to digital format. Digital pictures should be submitted as an attachment to the email and not embedded in the article itself. The identities of those in the picture should be included for any and all picture formats. Do not write or tape captions on the face of the picture. Use the back of the picture if necessary.

The editor of The LOUISIANA FREEMASON is:

Steven A. Pence, PM
105 Bay Hills Drive
Benton, LA 71106-9453
Email: storm52@bellsouth.net

Points to remember:

Group pictures having additional rows are better suited than one long line.

The picture will normally measure only 2 x 1 ½ inches when formatted. A group picture that has the subjects standing sideways, close together, multiple rows if necessary and facing the camera will allow a clearer image and larger published view. If the group is very large, separate the group and use additional photographs.
If you choose to crop your digital pictures prior to forwarding them, leave them in the same aspect ratio as it was before cropping. A wide angle shot with the top and bottom cropped is difficult to format and view clearly. See previous point. Compression is not necessary.

Use a close-up shot when only 2 – 4 subjects are involved. We don’t necessarily need to see subjects’ shoes or in many instances their aprons.
The altar is normally seen in the pictures provided. Although we understand the significance of the presentation West of the Altar, have the subjects assemble in an area where there is nothing between the camera to take pictures. This will hopefully cut the distance between subject/camera.

Timely submissions are greatly appreciated. For example, the Spring (April) issue features Installation of Lodge Officers for the current year. Those articles should be provided as soon as installations are concluded. Late submissions are problematic due to cut-off dates and the lead time required by the printer. Late submissions result in having articles to be considered that are no longer significant to the members.

The LOUISIANA FREEMASON is published quarterly in the Winter, Spring, Summer and Fall. The Editor will accept unsolicited articles, with the right to edit and use when space permits. Articles and pictures become the property of the magazine. Articles printed do not necessarily reflect the views of the Grand Lodge of Louisiana.