East Coast Overture
Wanted: Writers

As editor, I have the right to cut or change something in your story. Don't attack me with hate mail if I do this.
Most people don't have the attention span to read a 2000-word article. If you have an idea for an article but it
doesn't seem to fit any of the following categories, please email me and tell me what you're thinking.


Interviews (with musicians and other people from the musical business)
• These can be done face-to-face, by phone or over email.
• Stick with questions that start with "what", "how" and "why". You get longer responses and better quotes this way.
• These can be written in Q&A-style, like newspaper article or something more creative.
• Make sure to include the band's official website (if available) and MySpace URL.

CD Reviews
• Please compare the album to past work the musician/band has done in the past (if available).
• You are allowed to be mean, but back up your claims with examples.

General Music Articles
• These don't have to be directly East Coast music-related.
• Examples might include: "Where to find amps online", "Tips for playing drums", "Baby steps: the path towards a record deal" or "Top 10" lists. You can have fun with these articles.

Gig Experience
• This is somewhat like a review, but can be more personal. Make sure to include the town the gig was in, the band, the venue. Include sights, sounds and smells, if possible.

Indie-Owned Music Stores
• This is like a gig experience. Talk about a local independantly-owned music store that's not part of a chain. Make sure to include what the store specializes in (CDs, instruments, etc.).
• Please include a quote or 2 from the owner or an employee, if at all possible.
• Please include an address.

Venues
• Give some historical background info on a local music venue.
• Please include an address.
• A couple quotes from an employee or two is a nice detail.

The Day I Met...
• Talk about your first encounter with your favorite East Coast artist. Include any details you like (how sweaty they were after a gig, how cool they were, how silly you acted, how many drinks you'd had beforehand, etc.)
• You can have fun with this one.
• Please include where you met them (town, venue, etc.)
• Photos of you with the musician/band would be appreciated.

Photos
• If you're fortunate enough to get a face-to-face interview, make sure to snap a couple photos. I'll make sure you get credit for any images we use on the site.
• If you can't take a photo for your article, please send me a URL where I can find one (an official website or MySpace would be best).

Submissions
• Since the site is just a baby right now, I'll accept all Canadian writers. But eventually, I'll just be looking for writers who currently or used to live in Atlantic Canada (NS, NB, PEI or NL).
• Please include your name, email, where you live, where you're from and your blog/website address if you'd like to be linked from the article. Please specify in all submissions if you want your web address/name (or pen name) or email listed in the article.
• First-time writers (for this site) should include any writing credentials they might have, although it isn't absolutely needed. If you're writing is good, who cares about the rest.
• First-time writers should also include a short biography to be placed at the bottom of their story. This is where you get to talk yourself up a little. Here's mine, so you'll see what I mean:

Jillianne Hamilton is a writer, blogger and chocolate cheese cake fan from Nova Scotia. She is studying Journalism at Holland College, had an internship at the Truro Daily News and blogs for various college and pop culture websites. Jill loves indie music, funny movies, sitcoms, painting, reading and the color red. To contact Jill, visit her professional blog.

Submissions can be sent to my email at: jill @ eastcoast-overture.com

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