TD Magazine Submission Guidelines

TD does not accept unsolicited manuscripts. We ask that all potential contributors query the appropriate editor in advance (see editors’ contact info below). Please include a one-page outline or 100- to 200-word (maximum) overview of your proposed submission.

To improve your chances of being published, please read several recent issues of TD to get an idea of the content and tone.

Submit your article by email as a Word document. See email address designations below. General submissions can be sent to [email protected].

Feature Articles

TD publishes six feature articles in each issue. Features are case studies, articles on current trends and best practices, or articles discussing relevant issues in the industry. Features should be about 2,000 words (not including sidebars, which are welcome). Sidebars should be no more than 250 words each. See our editorial calendar below.

Departments

In addition to feature articles, TD also accepts submissions for the following departments.

Success With Less: Presents budget-friendly methods and strategies for training departments with limited budgets and/or staff. 1,100 words. Email: [email protected]

Fundamentals: The practical nuts and bolts of talent development for new training professionals. Articles focus on presentation skills, meeting management, creativity training, group-process techniques, training delivery methods, performance appraisals, and more. 1,650 words. Email: [email protected]

Career GPS: Addresses topics related to talent development professionals' career development. 1,600 words. Email: [email protected]

Learning Blueprint: Timely tips, guidelines, and resources related to the design and creation of learning programs and initiatives, in a brief, practical format. 800 words. Please contact editor for format guidelines. Email: [email protected]

Case Study: Case studies of talent development initiatives implemented in an organization. Article must include data that proves program effectiveness and business impact. 1,750 words. Email: [email protected]

Research: News on the latest research on workplace and business topics of interest from ATD, universities, workplace-related think tanks, and research organizations. 700 words. Email: [email protected]

Books: Book reviews are assigned. Please contact the editor for more information. Books range in topic from human resource development, business, and career development to training and development. Email: [email protected]

Quick Tips: Presents 3-6 short tips on a variety of topics related to helping TD professionals do their jobs. Email: [email protected]

Our editors will read the outline or overview and make suggestions to help you write your article appropriately. That does not guarantee acceptance for publication.

Our review process is based on the following points:

• Information and analysis. Does the article deliver the promised facts? Are your ideas supported, examined, and brought together into a cohesive body of work?

• Balance. Does the author present alternative sides of an issue?

• Originality. Is the topic presented with a fresh, new perspective?

• Audience appeal. Will the article capture and retain readers' interest? Does it address our audience? Is it current, relevant, and useful? Does it tell readers how to be more successful at work? Does it provide implementation guidance? Does it increase the reader’s business acumen?

• Veracity. Is the article accurate and truthful?

TD's style is journalistic rather than academic. It is a professional business magazine, not a scholarly journal. That means authors should favor the active voice over the passive. For example, "an article was sent" is passive; "the writer sent an article" is active.

Avoid jargon and technical terms; if you must use them, define them. Spell out abbreviations on the first use. Writing should be crisp, clear, and plain-speaking.

We do not publish speeches, theory, opinion, dissertations, or internal reports. We also do not accept submissions that promote a specific product or service, nor do we accept disguised press releases.

Author details: For each author, provide the person's name, brief biography including current position/title, complete mailing address, phone number, and email address.

Author headshots: Provide a high-resolution headshot for use on the ATD website with your article. The image can be a jpg, tiff, or png file.

Graphics: Include tables, charts, or other graphics only if they will help readers understand the article. We do not guarantee their use. All data in charts must be supplied in a text format. Do not incorporate PowerPoint or similar tables, charts, and figures into the body of the document. Send graphics in a separate file, preferably in Word format.

Citations/Documentation: TD is not a scientific journal. Do not assume readers have prior knowledge of accepted theories or seminal works. Do not use last name author references to previous works, theories, studies, or papers.

References: Use references only when exact words have been lifted from a source or when an idea originated with the source named and isn't widely known. No references are needed for paraphrased ideas or widely known information such as the fact that the number of women in management is increasing. We do not publish footnotes or bibliographies.

Potential contributors may not use artificial intelligence to “ghost write” their submission in whole or in part.

However, you may use AI on a limited basis to generate ideas, gather data, identify trends, and streamline research processes, provided that in all instances, you review AI-generated content for factual accuracy, bias, defamation, and privacy concerns.

Signing our standard author copyright release form, which all authors must do to get published, indicates that you’ve abided by our AI policy.