The Sustainable Times is an award-winning internet magazine on solutions to our environment, community and international development problems. The Times focuses on the alternatives - what's right, not just what's wrong - and features original articles from Canada and the Third World.

Please send us a query on any stories you would like to write for our webzine. Note however, that we prefer to accept story queries and then commission writers rather than accept unsolicited articles completed in full.

Here are some guidelines about our Times, to give you a better idea of what we are looking for.

• Our articles are feature stories, not news items: try to find a good opening hook. Determine the theme and focus your article. We generally follow the basic magazine writing format of lead/hook...background to the lead...story development...close.
  
  
• The article must be lively and readable: try to show the issue in action, rather than just talk about it. An interesting story - about somebody or something specific - is still the best way to grab a reader's attention. It must have a sense of importance that appeals to the public. Be creative and back up your points with real world examples.
  
  
• Please avoid jargon, dogma, clichÈs and a style that reads like an 'in-house' discussion amongst activists. This is not a newsletter and the Sustainable Times is not just for the so-called "converted." The challenge is to give a perspective without preaching. We hope our webzine can be a one-to-one relationship between writer and reader, with no need to shout.
  
  
• Please, ensure that facts, figures and statements are accurate, and include appropriate references. When you make a claim, please show the evidence; if you offer an opinion, provide the justification.
  
  
• The Sustainable Times focuses on solutions and alternatives, but we also acknowledge problems and contradictions. There are always several sides to a story.
  
  
• When writing for the webzine, please make the article a bit more streamlined: i.e., with slightly shorter paragraphs and sharper writing. Photo and graphic suggestions would be most appreciated, as would any 'aside' facts, backgrounders or full interview transcripts that could become internal links.
  
  
• Most important, we need the URLs of appropriate and high quality websites that can be embedded throughout the story.