Instructions for Contributors

Microscopy Today does not have a rigid set of style instructions and encourages authors to use their own style; we ask only that the writing be clear, informative, and accurate. We have authors from many disparate fields in both biological and materials sciences, each field with its own standards, and so we find it better to not impose a style of our own. While everyone who receives Microscopy Today is a microscopist, there are a large number of specialties represented in our subscriber list. For this reason, and in recognition that MT is a magazine, not a journal, we ask that your article be written in a semi-tutorial fashion for non-specialist microscopists. In other words, the general idea is to pitch the article at the same level as you would use sitting around a table talking to a mixed group of microscopists at a meeting, rather than the level you would use giving a formal presentation, where the audience is more likely to be more narrowly composed of people with the same interests.

Review
In keeping with the fact that Microscopy Today is a magazine and not a journal, there is no formal external peer review process in place. The MT editors have experience that spans quite a bit of the microscopy spectrum and we regularly consult with each other and do not hesitate to ask for outside expert opinion in the rare case that we have any concerns about a submitted article.

Length
The ideal article length is about 2 to 3 pages as formatted in the magazine. This usually amounts to about 2000 words with 4 or 5 figures. We like lots of figures especially those in color. Longer articles will be considered. Short tutorial articles, the shorter the better, are encouraged for our Microscopy 101 department.

Editing
Articles may be edited for space or language, but we always work to preserve the accuracy of content. Use of the first person is acceptable in some cases, but avoid use of the second person "you," "yours," etc. We will send the corresponding author a PDF of the edited article for comment prior to publication.

Submission and Specifications
If you have an idea for an article or would like more information about the technical specifications for submission, please contact the Microscopy Today Editor-in-Chief:

Charles E. Lyman, Editor-in-Chief
charles.lyman@lehigh.edu

Originality and Permissions
By submitting an article to Microscopy Today, the author warrants that the article is original or that the author has the right to use any material copyrighted by others. It is the author's responsibility to obtain all permissions needed. Conversely, Microscopy Today routinely grants permission, on request, to any author seeking to use material appearing in the magazine for publication elsewhere.