Notes for Contributors

Words. Beats. Life: The Global Journal of Hip-Hop Culture is a peer-reviewed, hybrid periodical of art and hip-hop studies published by the 501(c)(3) non-profit, Words Beats & Life, Inc. The Journal is committed to nurturing and showcasing the creative talents and expertise of the field in a layout that is uniquely hip-hop inspired. We publish issues twice a year with the intention of serving as a platform where the work of scholars and artists can appear in dialogue with one another. Since 2002, Words. Beats. Life has devoted its pages to both emerging and established intellectuals and artists. As the premier resource for hip-hop theory and practice, we hope that the scholarship we publish will serve as a resource for the field of hip-hop studies and the work of hip-hop non-profits, helping each to elevate to the next phase of their respective growth in America and around the globe.

Contributions
Submissions to Words. Beats. Life will be forwarded to a member of the editorial board or other reviewer for comment. Manuscripts must not be previously published, nor should they be submitted for publication elsewhere while being reviewed by Words. Beats. Life. It is requested that the author confirm this fact in writing when transmitting the manuscript for publication consideration.

Submissions are considered by specialist reviewers familiar with the specific topic of the work and the field of hip-hop studies. Preference will be given to pieces that are challenging, original, as well as clearly and persuasively written. Anonymity is accorded to both authors and reviewers.

Submission Format
The preferred mode of submission is by email attachment to:
submissions@wblinc.org

The preferred format for electronic submissions is Microsoft Word (.doc). Please include your full name, any affiliation, and the title of your paper in the body of the email.

Contributions may also be submitted in hard-copy to the address below. In this case, three copies should be submitted; papers will not be returned. Authors should note that hard-copy submissions will typically spend longer in review. If a hard-copy submission is accepted for publication, the author will be required to prepare an electronic version using Words. Beats. Life format and style and submit it by e-mail.

Words Beats & Life, Inc.
Attn: Journal Staff
1525 Newton Street NW
Washington, D.C. 20010

Receipt of manuscripts will be acknowledged promptly by e-mail. Authors will be notified of acceptance or rejection in a timely fashion. Please note that the review process can take up to six months.

Discussions
Brief comments on work published in Words. Beats. Life are welcome. In the case of acceptance, the original author will be invited to make a very brief reply, and normally the exchange will be closed at that point.

Subscriptions and Back Issues
For questions about subscriptions and back issues, please contact WBL’s Cipher Director, Simone Jacobson, at simone@wblinc.org or by phone: (202) 667-1192.

Inquiries
For all queries concerning possible submissions, interview ideas, etc., please e-mail submissions@wblinc.org.

For visual artists, graphic designers and illustrators interested in collaborating on future issues, please contact WBL’s Art Director, Cory Stowers, at cory@wblinc.org or by phone: (202) 667-1192.

WAIVER
Contributors to Words. Beats. Life: The Global Journal of Hip-Hop Culture express their own opinions, which should not be interpreted as the official views of any organization with which they are affiliated. The views expressed in the journal do not necessarily reflect the opinions or views of 501(c)(3) nonprofit, Words Beats & Life, Inc. With exception of fair use, no part of this publication may be reproduced or used in any form or by any means either wholly or in part without prior written permission of Words Beats & Life, Inc. If you intend to use this publication for educational purposes, please contact us. Manuscripts, artwork and photographs can be accepted only with the understanding that neither the organization nor its agency accept liability for loss or damage.

For detailed information, terms and conditions, quotations and international inquiries, please e-mail submissions@wblinc.org or call (202) 667-1192.

Length
Scholarly research papers       3,000 words (minimum) to 5,000 words (maximum) (includes endnotes and reference list)
Critical essays                            1,500 words (maximum)
Scholarly reviews                        2,000 words (books, albums, films)
Editorials                                      1,500 words (maximum)
Prose                                            3,500 words (maximum; memoirs, narratives, fiction, etc.)
Poetry                                      6 poems, author bio and photo
Artwork                                    7-10 pieces, artist bio and photo (PDF, JPEG, TIFF)
Interviews                               1,500 words (maximum)

Authors wishing to submit manuscripts below or exceeding these guidelines must consult with the editor-in-chief prior to submitting work.

Style/Format
Manuscripts for scholarly research papers should be typed and double spaced with at least one-inch margins. They should be prepared for anonymous reviewing, with any self-identifying references removed. If a cover sheet including identifying information is sent, this must be a separate document/file.

For documentation, punctuation, capitalization and other style formatting, Words. Beats. Life follows the APA style guide. This style calls for a References section, with parenthetical in-text citations of author/year of publication/page.

Authors must check, correct and bring manuscripts up to date before final submission. Authors should verify facts, names of people, places and dates, and double-check all direct quotations and entries in the References list.

Notes
Notes will appear as endnotes at the end of scholarly articles, but the numerical sequence runs throughout the article. These should be kept to a minimum (not normally more than twelve) and be identified by a superscript numeral. Please avoid using automatic footnote/endnote functions; simply append the endnotes to the end of the article.

Illustrations/Photographs/Graphics
Illustrations, photographs and other graphics can be included with an indication of placement in the text. Authors are responsible for obtaining permissions for all copyrighted materials. Sources must be indicated. All illustrations, etc. should be accompanied by a caption and an acknowledgement to the copyright holder.

Any illustrations, etc. submitted electronically should be at least 300 dpi (600 dpi is preferred) in .jpeg or .tiff format.

Author(s) Note
A brief note on the author is required, including name, title, institutional affiliation and contact information (preferably an e-mail address).

Abstract
All submissions designated as scholarly require an abstract that should not exceed 150 words in length. The abstract should be written in a manner so as to make clear the significant findings of the article to readers from across disciplines.

Key Words
All scholarly submissions should be accompanied by five key words