Author Guidelines

Dietitians in Business and Communications General Author Guidelines

Word Counts:

• Message from the Chair (350-400 words)
• Message from the Incoming Chair (350-400 words) spring only
• Letter from the Editor (150-200 words)
• Feature Article(s) (up to 550 words)
• How-To Series (up to 550 words)
• Essential Tools (up to 550 words)
• Member Spotlight (<1,000 words)
• Members on the Move (up to 10 members featured, <100 words each)
• Student Corner (up to 500 words)

Article/Content Review Process:

All articles will be edited for clarity, style, punctuation, grammar, length, tone, and alignment with editorial standards. Every effort will be made to maintain original intent. Submitted content will be reviewed by the Newsletter Editor initially for a first round of edits, and then the Editorial Team will review the entire newsletter as a whole. The Editorial Team will receive the newsletter for review and editing (draft version and after formatting) and should be prepared to provide feedback as requested. The Editorial Team includes:

• Newsletter Editor
• Marketing and Communications Director
• DBC Chair
• DBC Chair-Elect
• DBC Manager

General Author Guidelines:

Purpose and Audience

Articles should be informative, engaging, and relevant to our DBC members. Content should aim to educate, share insights, or highlight experiences that align with the DBC's vision and mission along with the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics mission and vision statements.

Originality

Submissions must be original content and not previously published elsewhere.

Tone and Style

Maintain a professional, respectful and accessible tone. Write clearly and concisely avoiding unnecessary jargon. Articles should be well-structured with logical flow and clear headings.

Text format: For the body of the copy, use Times New Roman font, 12-point, single space. For titles/headings, use Times New Roman font, 14-point, bold font.

Photos/Tables/Illustrations/Headshot:

Our design team will provide copyright free photos for your article. If you have specific photos or other images you want included in your article, they should be high-resolution with 300 dpi in a jpg or png format file type. All diagrams, charts and figures and tables should be self-explanatory. Each should be accompanied by a title and brief caption that clearly explains the table, chart, diagram, figure, illustration, and a reference if the writer is not the author of the chart/figure. Please request permission to use any images that are not your own and include that documentation with your article.

Headshot: While images are not required to support your article, a headshot is required. Please provide a high-resolution jpg or png format.

Short Professional Bio:

Bio should be 2-3 sentences and include your full name, credentials, mention your current position and highlight key professional achievements and experiences. Please include your LinkedIn profile link.

Political and Religious Content:

While thoughtful discussion of current events or policy-related topics may be acceptable, we discourage strong political stances, advocacy, or partisan messaging. Content should remain balanced, neutral, and focused on informing rather than persuading.

Religious content or advocacy is not permitted.

Use and Declaration of Al and Al-Assisted Technologies:

Where contributors use artificial intelligence (AI) and Al-assisted technologies in the writing process, authors should:

• Only use these technologies to improve readability and language, not to replace key researcher tasks such as interpreting data or drawing scientific conclusions.
• Apply the technology with human oversight and control, and carefully review and edit the result, as Al can generate authoritative-sounding output that can be incorrect, incomplete, or biased.
• Not list Al and Al-assisted technologies as an author or co-author, or cite Al as an author. Authorship implies responsibilities and tasks that can only be attributed to and performed by humans, as outlined in Elsevier's Al policy for authors. Disclose in their manuscript the use of Al and Al-assisted technologies in the writing process by following the instructions below. A statement will appear in the published work. Please note that authors are ultimately responsible and accountable for the contents of the work.

Disclosure Instructions:

Contributors must disclose the use of Al and Al-assisted technologies in the writing process by adding a statement at the end of the article.

Example statement: During the preparation of this work the author/presenter(s) used [NAME TOOL/SERVICE] in order to [REASON]. After using this tool/service, the author/presenter(s) reviewed and edited the content as needed and take(s) full responsibility for the content of the publication.

This declaration does not apply to the use of basic tools for checking grammar, spelling, references, etc. If there is nothing to disclose, there is no need to include a statement.

Style and Grammar Guide:

Follow Associated Press Stylebook for style and grammar. Review the Academy style and grammar guide as well.

Follow the Academy Editorial Policy.

Submission and Deadlines:

Submit articles by the deadline provided. Send submissions to the newsletter editor: monica.stewart@tyson.com.

Feature Author, How-To Series, and Student Corner Additional Guidelines:

Author Agreements

Author agreements will be provided by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Signed author agreements are required and will include conflicts of interest and/or affiliation/financial interests. Please return signed agreements to the newsletter editor