The Western Planner (WP) encourages subscribers, readers, and others to submit an article for publication.
TheWP is “a journal of information and ideas for planners, their boards and commissions, and their multiple publics, and News of the Network of Western Planners.”

WP is interested in feature articles and/or articles for the Featured Planner, Planning Commissioner’s Corner, and Planner’s Toolbox series.

Feature articles should be articles about successful planning techniques and projects that work or may work in the West, and address the problems Western Planners face.  The WP selects a Stan Steadman Article of the Year Award annually from its feature articles. All articles must be submitted to WP Editor Rachel Girt at Rachel@girtcommunications.com.

Feature Article Format

The guidelines are inclusive rather than exclusive as we encourage planners to assist others by writing about what has been successful for them.  The best first step is to e-mail an abstract of the topic to Editor Rachel Girt at Rachel@girtcommunications.com.  She will review the abstract and contact you

Make sure the article has widespread applicability to the West, is interesting, solutions are offered, and that it provides ideas for bringing together planners, the public, elected officials, and the development community.

Feature Article Schedule

1. We print feature articles each issue, but the publication schedule is lengthy.  It might be several months from submittal until an article is published.  All feature articles are sent for a blind review by an Editorial Board member. Most of the time, the review results in a request for minor changes or possibly some clarification.
   
   
2. WP is planners writing for planners, and we don’t attempt to rewrite the articles to a canned format with a single style.  We prefer the individual style of the author to show through and provide variety and interest to the publication.
   
   
3. A good length for a feature article is between 1,500 and 2,000 words.  Graphics and photos liven up the text and we encourage you to use them whenever possible  If the article is longer than 2,000 words, the Editor will return the article and request that it be edited.
   
   
4. We need a short author biography and mailing address for the author.  A photo is nice as well.  We send the author additional copies of the issue in which his or her article is published.
   
   
5. WP does not publish every article that is submitted.  Some articles are not a good fit for the WP either because of content or substandard writing.
   
   

One-Page Regular Column Format

Featured Planner, Planner’s Toolbox, Planning Commissioner’s Corner, and WP Book Review

1. The deadlines are the 10th of February, March, May, June, August, September, November, and December. We need four weeks prior to each issue to review, edit and to get the issue printed and mailed.
   
   
2. Use a descriptive title. People often decide from the title whether to read a column or not.
   
   
3. Use bolded subheadings to organize the column.
   
   
4. The ideal column length is 750 words with one picture or around 900 words with text only. 

State News Articles

1. The deadlines are the 10th of February, March, May, June, August, September, November, and December. We need four weeks prior to each issue to review, edit, and to get the issue printed and mailed.
   
   
2. Use bolded subheadings to organize the column.
   
   
3. The ideal column length is 750 words with one picture or around 900 words with text only. 
   
   
4. Bold the first reference of people’s names.  List phone numbers with dashes (-) instead of slashes (/) or parenthesis.