We pay a flat $10 per piece for guest columnists, and $20 per piece for regular contributors with increases over time. This is small, but it is the beginning of what we hope will be a worthwhile financial return to our contributors for their work. Though we cannot say when increases will occur or by how much, we are committed to better-than-fair remuneration. New content is posted each Sunday night. Payment for contributions posted in one month is made by check on the first business day of the next month, though international contributors may make special arrangements.

We publish the following types of work as long as the pieces are original (that is, they have not appeared in any magazines, newspapers, web sites or blogs), and relate in some way to reading, books or related subjects such as censorship, literacy, book festivals, publishing trends, interesting independent bookstores, literary history, bookselling, etc.:

• Book reviews (particularly of books overlooked by mainstream review media)
• Personal essays
• Editorials
• Commentary
• Humor
• Interviews
• Profiles of people, places or things literary
• Excerpts from upcoming, recently published or re-issued books with a bookish theme
• Short stories with a bookish theme

We are not looking for journalistic type of pieces that are “here today, gone tomorrow.” Because we are a weekly publication, we cannot and do not compete in breaking stories. Rather, we specialize in presenting thoughtful pieces that use personal perspectives and individualistic approaches to explore anything that catches our contributors’ interests. This can but does not necessarily include current news and issues. Please note that we do not use pieces on or about writing. Contributions should run between 600 and 6,000 words, though we can be flexible on the upper range.

Regular contributors: Note that as of January 29, 2010 we are no longer accepting applicants who seek to become regular contributors. We hope to re-open soon. We continue to be interested in occasional contributors (see below). We welcome book reviewers (both generalists and specialists) as well as columnists who enjoy wandering wherever their pen may take them. Book professionals such as librarians, booksellers, editors and publishers are especially welcome to share their worlds with our readers. Regular contributors write on a bi-weekly basis.

BiblioBuffet may require that those interested in becoming regular contributors submit to our “BibliOpinions” column for a period of time. This is the space we have reserved for guest contributors. It carries no specific deadline, which allows time for a full editorial process of each piece. Unlike many online literary sites and blogs, BiblioBuffet edits for style and content as well as the more typical copy editing and proofreading. This policy provides both the writers and the BiblioBuffet editorial team the opportunity to determine if the fit is a good one.

Occasional or one-time contributors: We will consider individual submissions of any type (as noted above) excepting only book reviews; those are assigned to regular contributors. Please send the complete piece rather than a query.

Guidelines: All contributors are given great latitude in their choices of books to review, authors/writers to interview or essay subject matter. However, we do not review books that contain or profile writers who use the following in their writing:

• Profanity for profanity’s sake
• Violence against or experiments using animals—not at all
• Unnecessary or explicit violence against women, men or children
• Glorification of hunting, killing, rape, war; abuse of people or animals
• Hatred based on gender, sexual orientation, age, race, religion or other arbitrary factors

This does not mean that writers and books need ignore the darker side of life. Genuine, thoughtful exploration of life is always good whether in fiction or non-fiction, but we do not promote its glorification.

We only review books we believe are worthy of readers’ attention and time. (All genres except business, self-help, true crime, New Age, and romance are eligible for review consideration.) Honesty and integrity are essential components of our reviews, and no payments or other gratuities are solicited or accepted. Note that we do not review self- or vanity-published books, nor do we interview or profile authors of these books.

Rights: We require exclusive rights while the column is “live” (two weeks.) After that, rights revert to the writer, though we reserve the right to archive the article indefinitely on a non-exclusive basis.

Contacting BiblioBuffet: If you are applying to become a regular contributor please note this in your initial contact. Though we do require a trial period, you should specify your interests and experience. Include the following in your initial query:

• A title (or two) for the proposed column
• A short description of the proposed column
• Six specific ideas for future columns
• One clip (preferably on books or reading) if you have it; if not, include one sample publishable column
• A brief description of your writing background, reading interests, favorite authors, and current book(s) on your nightstand

If you are submitting a single piece, please send it along with a short bio of yourself. If you are submitting clips or sample columns they must be your best work because they are the pieces upon which you will be evaluated. All submissions should be pasted into the body of the e-mail submissions form and directed to Lauren Roberts, Editor-in-Chief. Though we normally respond within three business days, please allow two weeks before checking with us.

We thank you for your interest in BiblioBuffet.

Nicki Leone
Managing Editor