A logo is born

Out of all the magazine design projects we've completed, creating the logo has by far been the most difficult. I guess it's because the logo is so much of the magazine lumped into one small package: our mission, the Central Oregon lifestyle, our design aesthetic... and the first formal representation of the True North brand. We hope you like it.

New True North phone number

The True North base camp has a new phone number:
541-728-0332

Please use this number to inquire about advertising or article submissions.

I love it when a plan comes together

Our adventure into creating True North parenting magazine has reached a point of critical mass - the work is flying in all directions, coming out our ears, boiling over... I wake up thinking about True North, I go to sleep thinking about True North. But it's way too late to back out. It's become a machine of its own and now I just have to hang on.

Local writers and photographers contact us every day now with submission ideas. Local companies are signing on for advertising. It's amazing. And scary. And wonderful.

Our website is being designed by Bright Fish Design. We signed off on the home page mock up the other day. I am totally visual so I sent Amie, our designer, a folder of photos from around Bend and Central Oregon, and basically just told her "make it look like this". Red rock, blue river, sage brush, etc. And she did. Somehow she captured that look and those colors in a simple web design. I can't wait to see the whole site together.

We hired another fabulous artist (who also happens to be my brother) to design our logo. And we hired Michelle Brusegaard to design our business card. So very soon the whole marketing package that is True North will be compiled, and truly move from idea to reality.

In case you don't know, our expected website launch is January 2008. Then our first print directory will go out in April, and the first print version of the magazine will go out this summer.

Aside from managing all the design projects we have going, we are compiling all our potential articles and getting a feel for the premier online edition. The focus is "Happy Healthy Families" and we want to have an article for each of our magazine sections, at very least. Not to mention a complete directory and calendar. But so far the response to our announcement has been so favorable that I think we will have a good start on the first three months of production.

Thanks so much for being in this with us.

Nicole Oliver
(mom, publisher, co-founder)

True North Submission Guidelines

Article and Photography Submission Guidelines
(updated 12.17.2007)

True North is a new parenting magazine serving Central Oregon’s diverse family population. Our goal is to provide local parents of all backgrounds with information and resources that will inspire, support, and empower them as they navigate their way through the choices of family life. We reliably produce well researched, thought provoking articles that address the seemingly infinite number of parenting styles, choices, and tools available to families today; as well as current topics that concern and effect parents on both a local and global level.

As part of True North’s commitment to the Central Oregon community we also feature key stories that are specific to this region and relevant to our families’ interests. Personal essays that reveal what it means to raise a family in Central Oregon will be highlighted each month.

True North not only welcomes, but encourages unsolicited articles, personal essays and photographs that are in line with our publication’s philosophy and goals. We also have a monthly focus that should be considered when submitting potential feature articles.

TOPICS
We regularly cover the following subject areas:

Out + About
Includes event announcements and articles about activities for families in Central Oregon. Some of the subjects of interest in this section include: local events, outdoor fun, and year-round play.

Base Camp
Covers topics on the home front ranging from nutrition and greener living to sex and marriage.

Great Outdoors
Articles in this subject area will help families appreciate, understand, and explore the amazing Central Oregon outdoor lifestyle. Topics may include: outdoor activities, seasonal recreation, or raising a naturalist. Photographs capturing the beauty of outdoor family life are encouraged

Health + Wellness
May include topics such as family health, yoga + meditation, stress + balance, local medical care, pregnancy + birth, and alternative medicine.

Get Creative
Crafts, recipes, fine art and more.

Education
Articles included cover the many issues surrounding childcare, preschools, kindergarten, elementary school, middle school, high school, and home schooling.

Ages + Stages
Articles that are age specific and cover developmental topics will be included here.

For You
This section will include stuff we love for moms, dads, and kids. Toys, books, great gear, and technology; we will search out and find the best of the best. Articles surrounding issues such as careers, and parent life will also be included.

Our Community
In many ways, this is the heart of our publication. We will spotlight local businesses that cater to kids and have family friendly policies. We also welcome and encourage “I love Central Oregon” photographs, letters from our readers, and “My True North” essays. Write us and tell us about how you found your own parenting true north!

MONTHLY FOCUS
January

• Happy Healthy Families

February

• Approaching Education

March

• Family Travel Fun

April

• Keeping it Green in Spring

May

• Celebrating Motherhood

THE DETAILS
Article length is not as important as the quality of the writing. A typical article should be anywhere between 700 to 1500 words but don’t let length detract from the quality of the piece.

True North appreciates well-researched articles; please make sure to include your sources as each piece will be fact checked before publication.

Please note that the editors have unrestricted editing rights.

SUBMITTING
We prefer submissions via e-mail as Word document attachments; however we do accept hardcopy submissions. Please double space your manuscript and use a common font such as Times or Courier. Each article should be accompanied by a two to three sentence bio.

We appreciate articles that are accompanied by photos so please include if possible. Do not submit articles that have been submitted and run in other publications. Make sure to keep a copy of your submissions as True North is not responsible for lost materials.

When submitting material to Truth North please include all contact information including: address, phone number, fax number, and e-mail.

ACCEPTANCE
We try to review and respond to submissions within 3 to 6 weeks of receiving them. If possible, articles that are not used will be returned with constructive feedback.

PHOTOGRAPHS
We are looking for photographs that reflect what it’s like to raise children in Central Oregon. We love landscape photos especially when they include children and family members. Please note that if we choose to run your photo, and there are children in the picture we will need written permission from the parents.

Photographs used in online or print publications will receive full credit with name and website listed.

COMPENSATION - updated 12.17.2007
True North is currently looking for writers to research and submit articles on our topic of choice. True North is a Central Oregon specific parenting magazine so we would like to find writers in our area however, parenting is a global topic and preference will be given to writers who are able to thoroughly research, document, and write articles that are in depth and have personality. Writing samples will be required in advance. The articles will be between 1000 -1500 words. Pay will be between $100 and $200 per article depending on length and quality.

Contact Information:
Nicole Oliver
Annette Benedetti
email
541-728-0332

Calling local bloggers, local parents

True North parenting magazine for Central Oregon is actively seeking submissions for our debut edition in January 2008.

Our January focus is Happy Healthy Families.

At this time True North is not providing monetary compensation for article submissions. We will however be forever indebted to you for your support, and may even send you some homemade muffins.

For now we are appealing to you as active parents and local writers to help us launch this online community. Writers and photographers will be given full print credit with name and website listed.

As we grow we will pay for articles based on their length and fit with our monthly theme.

Please read our Submission Guidelines for more article ideas.

New Online Magazine for Central Oregon Parents

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Online Parenting Magazine Set to Launch January 2008

Bend, OR -- Nicole Oliver and Annette Benedetti, both busy professionals and dedicated moms, are preparing the premier edition of True North, a content rich website for Central Oregon families. The online magazine will provide area parents with the information and resources they need to navigate through family life in Central Oregon.

“True North offers a personal link to local events, activities, and educational resources for the Central Oregon parenting community,” said Nicole Oliver, an internet marketing specialist and co-founder of the magazine. “We want to be the best source of family information in the area - whether you need to research preschools, choose a pediatrician, or just find something to do with the kids this weekend.”

True North is currently recruiting local writers and photographers to submit their work for online publication, in anticipation of their website launch in January 2008.

“We’d like to help local parents tap into all the family resources in Central Oregon,” said Annette Benedetti, owner and director of The Village Preschool in Bend. “We’d like to be a place where the Central Oregon parenting community can come together to share information and experiences. Our magazine will focus on local stories from local parents.”

For more information on contributing articles or photos to the magazine, or to inquire about advertising opportunities contact Annette Benedetti at 541-550-6007 or email us.

Contact Information:
Nicole Oliver
Annette Benedetti
541-728-0332
Email