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Society Newsletter

William Barnes’s work remains a powerful reminder that language is more than communication—it is identity, memory, and belonging. At a time when regional dialects risk being smoothed away by global uniformity, his celebration of Dorset speech feels newly urgent. The Society’s role is not only to preserve his legacy, but to keep it active and relevant by supporting and encouraging the passing on of knowledge of Dorset’s cultural heritage, and by helping new audiences discover the richness of his poetry through accessible and engaging approaches.

Equally important is the wider cultural landscape that shaped Barnes’s writing. By exploring folklore, customs and rural traditions, we deepen our understanding of the world he captured and ensure it continues to resonate today. Part of the membership is a twice-yearly newsletter containing details of the latest news, upcoming activities and events; members are warmly encouraged to take part in this shared endeavour, and those wishing to contribute to future editions are invited to contact the editor,  editor@williambarnessociety.org.uk

Contributor Guidelines

If you are interested in contributing to our newsletter, we warmly welcome submissions from members and the wider community. Our aim is to produce a consistent, engaging, and high-quality publication for our readers.

To help us achieve this, and to make the process as smooth as possible for both contributors and editors, we ask that you follow the guidelines below when preparing your submission.

Article Length

Our newsletter is published in A5 format. As a guide:

  • 1 page: 250–350 words
  • 2 pages: 500–700 words
  • 3 pages: 750–1,050 words

Please indicate your intended article length when submitting. Final layout may vary depending on images and formatting.

Style and Tone

  • Write in a clear, engaging, and accessible style
  • Avoid overly technical language unless essential (and explain it if used)
  • Use short paragraphs and subheadings where appropriate
  • Aim for a friendly but professional tone

Structure

  • Include a clear headline
  • Use subheadings for longer articles
  • Keep paragraphs concise (typically 2–5 sentences)
  • Where helpful, use bullet points or lists

Images and Visuals

  • You may submit images to accompany your article
  • Ensure you have permission to use any images provided
  • Include captions and credits where necessary
  • Be aware that images will reduce available word space
  • Please attach images separately in your email (do not embed them in the document where possible)
  • Clearly label image files to indicate where they should appear in the article (e.g. “Image 1 – Header photo”)

Submission Format

  • Submit articles in Word or Google Docs format
  • Use standard fonts and avoid complex formatting
  • Include your name and (if desired) a short bio (1–2 sentences)
  • Send images as separate attachments in the same email as your article

Deadlines

We publish two issues each year:

  • Spring/Summer issue (published late April):
    Submission deadline: 31 March
  • Autumn/Winter issue (published early October):
    Submission deadline: 10 September

These deadlines allow time for editing, layout, proofreading, and printing. Late submissions may be held over for the next issue.

Academic Submissions

  • Academic or research-based articles are welcome
  • All academic submissions will be reviewed by our Academic Advisor for suitability prior to publication
  • This review ensures content is appropriate for our readership and aligns with the aims of the newsletter
  • Authors may be asked to make revisions following this review

Editing

  • Submissions may be edited for clarity, length, and style
  • Headlines may be adjusted to fit layout requirements
  • Significant changes will be discussed with the author where possible

Originality and Referencing

Submissions should be your own original work
If you reference facts, ideas, or quotations from other sources, these must be properly acknowledged
 
Please include:

  • In-text citations within the article (e.g. Smith, 2023)
  • A reference list at the end of your submission with full source details

Example

In-text citation:

Regional identity and community voice have long been reflected in local writing (Barnes, 1863).

Reference list entry:

Barnes, W. (1863) Poems of Rural Life in the Dorset Dialect. London: John Russell Smith.

If you are unsure how to format references, please let us know—we can help or adjust formatting during editing.

Originality

  • Submissions should be your own original work
  • Any external sources should be properly credited