SUBMITTING LETTERS TO THE BAM
We want to know what you think! The BAM encourages letters to the editor, which should be sent to [email protected]. The BAM’s letters section has long been a forum for debate, often about important issues, and we try to print all letters that we receive, in accordance with the guidelines below. Due to limited space in the print magazine, we edit letters, sometimes quite heavily, for length and clarity. When many letters are submitted on the same topic, and we don’t have room for all of them in the print magazine, we print a representative sampling and publish the others online.
Letter writing guidelines The BAM prints only those letters that are sent in response to content we have already published, which includes articles and letters to the editor. We do not print commentary on current events that is not directly related to content that we have recently published. Letters responding to University policies or actions that have not recently been reported in the BAM should be directed to the appropriate University administrator. The BAM does not print ad hominem attacks on individuals or groups or known false statements of fact, and does not print letters containing obscenities or what would be deemed vulgarity by journalistic standards. However, we do not censor opinions. Rather, we encourage alums to share views of support or disagreement with our content, as well as to debate, interrogate, and confront diverse and conflicting viewpoints in this forum, which is open to all Brown graduates. To limit the possibility that we will have to edit your letters down, please restrict them to 200 words or less. If your letter includes facts or statistics that are not extremely well known, you must also include substantiation via online links or full citation of a study noting the specific fact or data point verified. We will not publish unsubstantiated facts or statistics.
Social media messaging The BAM encourages alums to engage with our content and with each other on social media. However, we are not adequately staffed to respond in a timely manner to social media messages. Please address comments and concerns for the BAM editors to [email protected].
SUBMITTING STORY IDEAS TO THE BAM
The Brown Alumni Magazine has a long tradition of publishing award-winning, independent magazine journalism. We welcome story pitches from professional writers, and we especially love working with writers who are also alums. We occasionally print first-person writing by alumni. We also encourage all alumni to let us know of stories they think we should be covering, and people we should be profiling. Alumni are our best story scouts!
Send pitches and ideas to [email protected]. If you are pitching the story as a writer, please tell us a little about your writing experience and include links to or PDFs of several relevant clips.
We have a small staff, so responding to your submission may take several weeks.
Here’s more information about submitting to various departments in the magazine:
Features Our feature stories generally start at 1,500 words and cover Brown alumni, professors, or students who are doing something of national interest or importance.
Under the Elms/News This is our campus news section. Stories on professors, students, and returning alumni run at 200-500 words.
The Big Issue A highly packaged, 1,000-word spread on what Brown professors, students, and alumni are doing or saying about an issue of national interest.
The Big Search A highly packaged, 1,000-word spread on high-impact research being done on a particular topic by Brown professors, students, or alumni.
Courses of Study A highly packaged, 1,000-word spread on interesting or innovative courses or learning opportunities for undergraduates at Brown.
Beyond the Gates News and profiles about alumni making an impact in a variety of fields, from arts to science to entrepreneurship. Stories run at about 200-500 words.
Current Obsession These are “as told to” first person stories about professors or students who have particularly interesting hobbies or interests. As such, this is not a writing opportunity, but we are always looking for candidates for this back page story.
Essays Occasionally, the BAM prints 500- to 800-word essays or historical accounts of life on campus.
Farewells The BAM publishes 500- 800-word profile-style obituaries on alumni and professors who have made a particularly big impact on the Brown community or on the nation or the world. If you have special knowledge of someone who would be a candidate for a Farewell, and you have some writing experience, please contact us about the possibility of writing a Farewell.