If you are interested in getting your local gig, exhibit, show or event in the Prospector (which comes out every Thursday), the process begins with these guidelines. Placement is not guaranteed but we will do our best.

To be absolutely sure your event gets publicity, consider buying ad space by calling (530) 477-4254.

In addition to an ad, there are two ways to get into the Prospector: One is the calendar, the other is as an article.

Calendar:

To get your event on our online calendar at any time, go to http://www.theunion.com/calendar . Post your calendar item for the specific day of the event only. Look day by day for other happenings around town.

Although the calendar welcomes all kinds of events, only arts and entertainment-related events are appropriate for Prospector.

While we do our best to include all arts and entertainment entries from the online calendar into the print calendar, due to space constraints this is not always possible.

Submitting a press release for an article:

In subject line of e-mail, please put the date it takes place (3/14) followed by the name of the event, abbreviated (NC Film Fest). No need to put year, the month and day will do.

What to say in the story/press release:

At the top of the release included a “Know and Go” box in this precise format:

• WHO: If this applies, the name of people involved and town they are from
• WHAT: Name of the event
• WHEN: Time, day, date
• WHERE: Address; directions if needed
• PRICE: Price and where to purchase tickets, giving name of the establishment and the town in which it is located
• INFO: Phone number and e-mail or website for public to contact for information. Please also include a number for the editor to call if it is different from the public's number.

In the body of release:

• Tell us in one to three paragraphs some interesting background. We may use quotes from this.
• Make bios brief and up-to-date. List such things as awards and releases.
• Avoid using bold, italics, underlining, or solid caps (it all has to be converted to straight text by the editor).
• Word limit is 300 words.
• Send the release as an attachment (.doc or .txt) or pasted into body of e-mail or both. Avoid .zip files and .pdf files.

Photos:

What kind of picture do we want? A fresh, new one! Not the one used on a poster or previously published several times before.

How to send photos:

• E-mail pictures as an attached jpg or tiff (no .zip, .wmv or embedded in a word document), at least 150 dpi opens to 4x6-inches or larger. Include photo credit and a caption that explains what/where/when and who (from left to right).
• We ask you to send only up to four of your best jpgs.
• Caveat: Please do not send images from websites. In most cases the resolution is too small

Deadline:

We run the stories the week of the event. Submissions should be received by us at least one week prior to Thursday's publication date.

Submit to:

Email submissions to entertainment@theunion.com. Call Arts & Entertainment Editor Carol Guild at (530) 477-4219 with any questions.