Readership
The readership of "Bee Improvement and Conservation" magazine is likely to be serious or
committed beekeepers in Europe and other countries. It is the main publication of the
Bee Improvement and Bee Breeders' Association (BIBBA) and is distributed to all members.
Style and content
The style and content of Bee Improvement Magazine is modern and we hope up to date, please
read the suggestions below, rather than consulting back issues of BIBBA publications as
standards change with progress. It will appeal particularly to those interested in breeding
the Dark European honey bee (Apis mellifera mellifera), but will also appeal to
anyone who keeps honey bees.
The policy of Bee Improvement Magazine is to provide readers and subscribers with an
interesting and informative overview of beekeeping subjects, with particular reference to
improvements in beekeeping, bee breeding and improvement of bee stocks and bee husbandry. News,
ideas and developments within beekeeping are also generally welcome.
Articles should be authoritative and well illustrated, aimed at the informed and
knowledgeable beekeeper, rather than the beginner. They should not be at the level or style
of a very formal or specialist scientific journal.
It is preferred that SI units rather than Imperial measurement be used throughout and all
symbols defined. We can help you convert measurements and units if necessary.
Acronyms should be kept to a minimum and, where used, must be spelt out in full on first
usage within the text.
Formal references, if listed at all, should be kept to a maximum of say, five in the text
to direct key papers and/or five listed for 'further reading'. References in the text and
at the end of the paper should be in accordance with the magazine style. The author is
responsible for the accuracy and acknowledgement of references.
Articles should typically be a maximum of 2,500 words long, accompanied by good quality
illustrations. Normally finished articles would not exceed 4 x A4 pages.
Frequently the articles will be shorter than this.
Submissions
Discuss the best way of submitting your article with the Editor of Bee Improvement Magazine.
The suggestions below are not hard and fast rules and should not discourage anyone from
submitting an article or floating an idea with the Editor.
It is generally preferred that articles for publication are Emailed as an attachment to the
Editor at
magazine-editor@bibba.com
Or postal mailed on CD or Zip disk to the Editor. We can handle many simple popular PC
computer formats, but would prefer Microsoft Word, MS Publisher or a rich text file (.rtf).
Typewritten or word processed articles are also acceptable. Manuscripts should be
typewritten using a good ribbon, double spaced on one side only of A4 paper, with wide
margins. The first page should include a short, imaginative title, a brief introduction
(max 50 words) to catch the reader's attention and the author(s) name(s). For the Editor's
information, the final page should include a note of the position(s) held by the author(s)
or a brief CV relevant to beekeeping experience and the full postal address(es) and other
contact details.
We appreciate that some authors may not have access to facilities to type articles. Hand
written articles should be clearly legible and written on one side of the paper only.
Authors should also keep a copy. Manuscripts must be solely the work of the author(s)
stated, must not have been previously published elsewhere and in addition must not be
under consideration by another journal.
Graphs and tables if considered necessary for clarity, should be simple to understand.
Large tables of data are generally inappropriate for the style and readership of the
magazine. Tables should be typed on separate pages, with one table per page. Each table
must be numbered and must have a title. All tables, graphs and illustrations must be
referred to in the text.
Illustrations should be clearly identified, using a soft pencil or adhesive label, stating
the author's name and the figure number. Figure legends should be listed together on a
separate sheet.
Line illustrations (figures, charts, graphs and drawings) must be done to a high standard,
as Bee Improvement Magazine has no redrawing facilities. They should be drawn in ink and
must be large enough to withstand reduction.
Relevant photographs with articles are preferred as good colour transparencies rather than
colour prints because they reproduce better in publication. All colour and monochrome
prints should be good quality. Photographic material is returned to the sender after
publication. Digital images can be accepted, but if they have been edited or cropped for
publication, please also provide a copy of the original un-edited image (in case
re-editing is necessary to suit the printing process).
Sizing
Page size is A4 with margins. The magazine will usually run to 24 to 36 pages, 32 being the target number.
Trade advertisements and sponsorship
Please contact the Editor.
Calendar
For publication dates and deadlines please contact the Editor.
Circulation
Initially 500 copies will be printed. About 400 distributed by post to subscribing members
of BIBBA and beekeeping associations. The remainder will be sold or distributed to other
interested organisations, libraries and individuals.
Conditions
The Editor reserves the right to refuse or accept advertisements, photographic or textual
material offered for publication and to control the content of articles accepted for
publication.
The Editor also reserves the right to edit manuscripts for clarity of expression and to
conform to the magazine style and the limits of the space available.
Editorial content of Bee Improvement Magazine is copyright and permission for reproduction
must be obtained by application in writing to the Editor.
Contact
If you are interested in becoming a contributor of articles or if you would like to see
particular aspects of bee breeding discussed or explored please contact
the Editor to talk about it. Email is the
preferred medium of communication. The current editor's name and contact details are available on the Administration Page.
