Guidelines for contributors, review copies & event coverage
MEP welcomes contributor proposals from freelance writers, illustrators and photographers. Please read the following information carefully. Submissions which do not meet these guidelines and requirements may not be considered.
What we’re looking for — writing & photography
Contributors to all of our publications must be able to address a broad audience, and write insightfully and readably. We need lively, entertaining writing combined with a serious and informative approach to subject matter, and top-quality photos and illustrations. It is essential for features in Caribbean Beat and Discover Trinidad & Tobago in particular to be strongly written, well researched, with a light and readable style, laced where possible with vivid description, humour, anecdote or human interest.
Photography should be high quality — and ideally not yet published. Photos with fresh looks at familiar subjects are particularly welcome.
Though we prefer to work with contributors based in Trinidad & Tobago and the Caribbean diaspora, all submissions which meet our guidelines will be considered and kept on file.
Caribbean Beat
We consider feature articles (usually up to 1,200 words) on any subject of general Caribbean interest, as well as shorter pieces about current events, etc. The point of view should be that of a well-informed insider writing about the things the Caribbean does best. The magazine’s readership consists partly of Caribbean travellers who already know the region well, and partly of holiday and business travellers coming into the Caribbean, many of whom are unfamiliar with the region except for the stereotypes.
Discover Trinidad & Tobago
We are looking for well-researched, vivid, and informative contributions on activities for tourists and visitors to and within Trinidad & Tobago, as well as photography that captures the range of experiences T&T has to offer. Photos with fresh looks at familiar places and festivals are particularly welcome. The writing should be an insider’s guide delivered in an engaging, light, and readable style. Photo calls for the magazine are issued every year. Details are posted here on the MEP website, as well as on our social media accounts, including Facebook, Instagram, and via our newsletter.
Submission process
Most published material is commissioned, often on the basis of a writer’s or photographer’s proposal, though we do consider on-spec material without commitment, particularly if it is supported by good illustrations and/or photography. The magazines depend heavily on good pictures, and buy stock material and commissioned photography as necessary; all photos should be 300 dpi, and clearly captioned. Payments for both photographs and editorial are made after publication, and are subject to the terms laid out in our Contributors Agreement.
All material is subject to editing changes at the editors’ sole discretion. Major changes or rewrites will normally be discussed with the author. Where extensive editing or rewriting is required, the magazine reserves the right to make adjustments to the author’s fee.
Submitting your events
Caribbean Beat runs a Caribbean events calendar in each bimonthly issue, covering major events and festivals in the region. If you would like to have your event considered for inclusion, please send us the details (date, location, costs, and description of the event) at least three months in advance. For more, please contact us.
Discover Trinidad & Tobago runs a yearly calendar, both in print and online. To have your event included in the print publication, information must be submitted by September of the year before. We also accept submissions year-round that can be added to our online calendar. For more, please contact us.
Submitting your books, CDs & DVDs for review
Caribbean Beat reviews new, recent, and forthcoming books, music, films, and other select material for and about the Caribbean, and/or of Caribbean interest. The material submitted typically should be as yet unreleased, and/or not more than 6–12 months old. Some exceptions may be made in compelling circumstances. Scholarly works typically are only reviewed when they might be relevant to non-specialist readers.
If you are a publisher or copyright holder of qualifying books, music, or films — or other material that you would like to propose, and which we may consider without commitment — please send us an email query at the first instance clearly listing the title (and subtitle where appropriate), author’s/artist’s name, publisher’s/producer’s name and full contact information, release date, price, as well as a biography of the artist and any other relevant details. Should the title be appropriate for review consideration, we will then ask you to send a digital copy of the work to us.
NB: Please note that unsolicited material is unlikely to be considered, and that hard copies of any materials will not be accepted unless hand delivered locally to our office in Trinidad. As above, please ensure you email us before sending any materials, whether in soft or hard copy.
For more, feel free to contact us.