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This page contains useful information for present and future RTVC Staff Writers.
Please read it carefully.
Shows We Cover:
Below you will find a table containing future Reality TV shows that we plan to cover. You will find names listed where assignments have been made. If no name is listed that means the position is available and you are welcome to volunteer. We work on a "first to volunteer gets it basis". The only exception is existing writers for the same show. For example: Jenny Lane is recapping the current edition of Survivor. She has the right to recap all future editions of Survivor as long as she wants them. You can always request to be "next in line".
Remember there is no limit on the number of commentary writers for a particular show. The more the better!
If you see an error, your name where it shouldn't be or your name missing, please notify me immeadiately.
If there is an open assignment and you want it, please let me know as soon as possible.
If there is a show that you want to cover and don't see it here, please let me know. We'll set it up.
Email: Editor@RealityTVCalendar.com
General Information and Style Guide:
Below the table you will find some general information and style guidelines that will help you in writing for Reality TV Calendar.
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Upcoming Shows --- Last Updated March 16, 2010
| Show |
Premieres |
Recaps |
Scoreboard |
Commentary |
| Biggest Loser Couples |
Jan. 5, NBC |
Donna Emery |
Donna Emery |
Rikki A. |
| American Idol |
Jan. 12, Fox |
Jacob D. & Jenny Lane |
Jillian Domings |
Jillian Domings |
| Project Runway |
Jan. 14, Lifetime |
Romantic Rose |
Donna Emery |
Micole Williams |
| RuPaul's Drag Race 2 |
Feb. 1, Logo |
Jacob D. |
Jacob D. |
Writers Wanted |
| Survivor 20 All-Stars |
Feb. 11, CBS |
Jenny Lane |
Logan Huffman |
Stimpy, Kathleen, Micahel Keneski |
| The Amazing Race |
Feb. 14, CBS |
Jenny Lane |
James Kuz |
Kathleen and ? |
| Real Housewives NYC |
March 4, Bravo |
Erin Newell |
Not Needed |
Writers Wanted |
| America's Next Top Model |
March 10, CW |
Jacob D. |
Jacob D. |
Writers Wanted |
| The Celebrity Apprentice |
March 14, NBC |
Candace Lind |
Jesse Caylor |
Rikki A. |
| Dancing With The Stars |
March 22, ABC |
Writers Wanted |
Joseph Braverman |
Writers Wanted |
| The Bachelorette |
May 24, ABC |
Gayl Killough |
Gayl Killough |
Romantic Rose |
| So You Think You Can Dance |
May 27, FOX |
Jenny Lane |
Joseph Braverman |
Writers Wanted |
| America's Got Talent |
June 1, 2010, NBC |
Writers Wanted |
Writers Wanted |
Writers Wanted |
| Losing It With Jillian |
June 1, 2010, NBC |
Writers Wanted |
Writers Wanted |
Writers Wanted |
| Last Comic Stanging |
June 7, 2010, NBC |
Writers Wanted |
Writers Wanted |
Writers Wanted |
| Big Brother 12 |
July 8, CBS |
Jenny Lane & Logan Huffman |
Writers Wanted |
Big Sister, Cindy Rutolo Dietrich & Rikki A. |
| The Bachelor Pad |
Fall 2010, ABC |
Writers Wanted |
Writers Wanted |
Writers Wanted |
| Survivor 21 |
Fall 2010, CBS |
Jenny Lane |
Logan Huffman |
Stimpy, Kathleen, Micahel Keneski |
| The Amazing Race |
Fall 2010, CBS |
Jenny Lane |
James Kuz |
Kathleen and ? |
*Tentative Date
**Working Title
General Information:
Times:
I live in the east coast time zone. My office hours are very flexible. Generally I am at work by 5am and off by 3pm Monday thru Friday. That does change as needed. During Big Brother it is pretty much 18 hours a day, 7 days a week with breaks as I can take them.
An article submitted after 4pm will generally wait until the following morning.
I prefer to receive everything before noon (my time) if possible. Remember the earlier I get it the more people will read it. A recap sent in a day or two late will not get the readership it deserves because people have read a recap elsewhere.
Article Length:
Recaps - 1,000 words per half hour of programming is a suggested minimum. There is no maximum.
Commentary - A minimum of 700 words, a thousand or more is prefered. There is no maximum.
Scoreboards - No minimum or Maximum however 100 to 150 words is appreciated for the introduction paragraphs. No minimum or maximum on the individual players comments.
Commentaries:
Any writer is welcome to submit a commentary on any Reality TV show. You do not need to be assigned to that show. You do not need clearance from me first. Just write it up and send it in. But please make sure it is commentary as opposed to another recap.
Expressing Your Opinion:
Please do! It does not matter whether you are writing a recap, commentary, or scoreboard. Readers want to know what you think. Don't hold back. If you have read one of my "Big Sister" pieces you know that I don't hesitate to skewer the show, network, production team, or cast. Being critical is no problem. However please keep in mind that we do this because we love Reality TV. And there is nothing wrong with praise when you think it is due.
Profanity:
This is often a judgement call and that's my job. Generally speaking if you are quoting somebody on the show and it is contained within "quotation marks" I will print it. For example: This week on The Real World Joe told Frank to "Fuck off!" would be allowed. But the writer expressing their opinion as "I think this show is fucked" would not be. However, "Tonight's episode really sucked" would be. Like I said, it's a judgement call. I will no longer print f**k or anything similar with asterisks. Profanity will not be used in the headline or title.
Self Promotion:
Do you have your own website? I'll be happy to link to it in your bio-sketch. Just send me the information.
Are you selling a product? If you have a banner ad I will be happy to run it next to your bio-sketch. Just send it to me.
Of course there is no charge for this.
But that should be the extent of self promotion on the site. Please remember we are writing about the shows and that is what the readers are looking for.
Headlines:
All headlines are written by the editor. Writers are welcome to make a suggestion. All headlines are written with this in mind: the purpose of the headline is to get the
reader to open up the article by clicking on it. The more dramatic the headline, the more the articles gets opened.
Style Guide
The following are a few general rules to be used when writing for Reality TV Calendar. If you follow these you will make my job as an Editor a lot easier and you will have my gratitude.
The "lead" or first sentence of every article must include the name of the show. This is a google requirement to get the piece properly listed. Here's an example. "Last night on Survivor Fiji....."
Numbers:
The number 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9 should always be spelled out. For example "nine". Any number that is the beginning of a sentence should be spelled out. The are a few exceptions, scores, times, currency. Any number, for any reason, 10 or above can be expressed numerically. For example "15".
Please Avoid:
Please avoid the use of "..."
Please avoid the use of (parenthesis). Sometimes a writer will use (parenthesis) to indicate they are commenting on an event or expressing their opinion. It is not necessary. The reader will understand it is your thoughts.
Please avoid the use of all CAPITAL letters. If you wish to emphasize a word, please use italics.
Spelling and Grammar:
If you are writing your article in Microsoft Word or a similar product please run a spelling and grammar check on it before sending it in. If you don't have a product equipped with that option, don't worry about it.
Article Format:
It is preferred that articles be submitted in Microsoft Word ".doc" format. However if you do not have this program a simple ".txt" file can be attached to your email. I do accept articles as the body of the email if needed.
Corrections:
If you have written an article and it is posted and then you notice an error, please send me the correction. Corrections are never a problem and are always appreciated. I will act on it as soon as I open your email.
My Response:
I always send a thank you note after I have posted your article. If you do not receive one and you have checked the front page and don't see it headlined please email me immediately. Chances are I did not receive it. I will never not print something and not contact you.
Questions?
I'm always happy to answer: Editor@RealityTVCalendar.com
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