Valve Magazine's purpose is to:

• Inform and educate the END USERS of industrial valves, actuators and related products about these products and their selection, application, and maintenance;
• Address issues or concerns affecting the flow control industry and its customers;
• Create and maintain a positive public image for the American and Canadian flow control industry;
• Introduce the interested lay reader to the valve industry;
• Support and enhance the activities and services of VMA.

The editorial content of Valve Magazine is determined solely by the judgment and discretion of the editors, who periodically consult with an Editorial Review Board and industry members. The views and opinions expressed in the magazine are those of the article authors and do not reflect or represent official policy of VMA unless specifically stated. Authors' affiliations are clearly identified.

Valve Magazine Audience
Nearly 85% of the magazine's end-user readers are mid-to upper-level managers who have the authority to purchase or influence the purchase of valves and actuators. These readers tend to have a broad or unspecialized technical or engineering background. Their level of experience, particularly with regard to the selection and use of valves and actuators, is likely to vary widely. Valve Magazine strives to provide articles that are at a technical level to interest and inform the experienced user/specifier and are comprehensible to the sophisticated lay reader. The magazine includes a mix of technical reviews, practical applications, case studies, problem-solving examples, and issue-oriented features.

Feature Articles
Feature articles should be approximately 2,000 to 2,500 words and should have a title, introduction, body, conclusion, and where appropriate, references. The paper's title should be a maximum of 10 words. Preference is given to publishing information provided by VMA member companies and end users.

Departments and Columns
In addition to technical feature articles, Valve Magazine includes departments and columns that offer a variety of news, product information, insight and opinion on any and all subjects of interest to the industry. Preference is given to publishing information provided by VMA member companies.

• Industry Capsules - Short items about VMA member companies and their employees, Association activities, and other newsworthy events.
• New Products - Brief descriptions of new valves, actuators, and related products produced by VMA member companies or non-members.
• Media - New websites, CDs, books, pamphlets, guides, and other educational materials of interest to member companies and end users.
• Case Studies - 500-word descriptions of how a North American valve or actuator company has successfully used a product to overcome a customer problem or challenge
• Maintenance & Repair - 1,000-word articles on issues related to service, repair, and maintenance of valves and actuators, written by industry experts
• Materials Q&A - Material engineers answer readers questions about materials used in the manufacture of valves, actuators and related products
• Beyond Valves - 1,000-word articles that explore products that are used in conjunction with valves and actuators

Deadlines
Copy is due for feature articles on the following dates:

• Winter issue - November 1
• Spring issue - February 1
• Summer Issue - May 1
• Fall issue - August 1

Copyright
VMA automatically assumes copyright on all feature articles published in Valve Magazine or electronically on the Valve Magazine website.

Reprints
Authors or other interested parties may contact the VMA to purchase 4-color professional reprints or an electronic PDF file of any Valve Magazine article. Reprints make excellent, cost-effective marketing and educational tools. (Please contact Judy Tibbs at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .)

Papers from Conference Proceedings
Papers presented at industry meetings or conferences are welcome for publication. Credit will be given to the organization where the paper was presented. The author is requested to obtain clearance for publication from the related organization.

Previously Published Articles
The magazine generally does not publish papers that have appeared in other publications. The editor must be notified of prior publication.

Use of Trade/Company Names
Avoid the use of trade names, company names, and proprietary names. Any exceptions to this rule should be brought to the editor's attention PRIOR to submission of the article. Valve Magazine reserves the right to modify or reject any and all articles that it deems to be "advertorial" in nature. When use of a trade name is determined by the editors to be essential to an article, the author must verify that spelling and applications described for the trade product are accurate. Failure to do so may also be cause for complete rejection of the article or delay for rewrite.

Text Format
Feature articles should be submitted both in hard copy and on a CD in Microsoft Word. Do not embed photos in the article or create an elaborate layout. The article should be created using a 1 column format. Articles may also be sent via email but please be sure to follow-up with a hard copy via mail or fax.

Artwork/Photos
All digitally submitted artwork should be a minimum of 5 x 7 inches, 300 dpi, preferably saved as a .jpg level 7 (Quality High). Formats accepted include Photoshop .tif, .jpg, .eps, or .bmp, or Illustrator .eps or .ai. Do not submit .gif files, and do not embed pictures in word processing files. We prefer that artwork be copied onto a CD and sent via express mail, along with hard-copy print outs. Images may be sent as email attachments, but please follow up by sending hard-copy print outs. Actual photographs, slides, and transparencies also are accepted.

Artwork provided should include at least one color image. Charts, graphs, photos should be labeled with typed captions. Visuals must be "camera-ready" quality or supplied in a program that can be opened by VMA's Art Director. If you have questions about suitable formats or programs, contact Michelle Wandres via email at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it . Please send all items via express mail. Art and photos will be retained by Valve Magazine unless return is requested by contributors.

Author Bio/Contact Data
Current biographical data MUST be submitted for each author of an article, complete with contact information (title, company name, address, telephone and fax numbers, email and website address). Valve Magazine may publish contact information so that readers can directly contact authors for further information.

Reference/Quotation Source List
A reference list should be provided to cite all document titles, volume, and issue numbers and page numbers. A quotation source list should include names, titles, company names and phone numbers, and addresses for individuals quoted.

Editorial Review
All articles are subject to review by Valve Magazine's Editorial Review Board and must comply with the magazine's established Editorial Review Policy.

Liability
Valve Magazine is not legally responsible or otherwise liable for the contents of any published articles.