Submit A Manuscript

American Music Teacher is a refereed journal that welcomes submissions from all areas of the music teaching profession. We seek well-written, engaging articles that offer original perspectives.

General Rules

  • AMT will not consider manuscripts that have been submitted to any other publication.
  • If you have an idea for an article, but have not written a manuscript, you may e-mail a query  to gauge interest (amt@mtna.org). A query should include a brief outline, the angle and tone that will be used and a list of suggested illustrations or other supporting materials. In a separate document, include your name, address, telephone number, fax number and e-mail address.
  • AMT retains and controls the copyrights to all published manuscripts.
  • Authors are asked to sign an Article Submission Agreement to submit with their manuscripts.

Readership

  • Members of Music Teachers National Association receive AMT as a member benefit.
  • Nearly 75 percent of AMT's readers are independent music teachers; 15 percent are college/university instructors; 5 percent are students; the balance teach in other settings.
  • Approximately 75 percent of AMT's readers list keyboard as their primary instrument; voice, strings, woodwind, brass and percussion comprise the remaining primary instruments.

Length

  • Feature articles are any length up to 3,000 words.

Photos/Illustrations

  • Authors are asked to provide musical examples, photos and/or other artwork to accompany their manuscripts. Digital photos/scans are preferred; they must be high-resolution (300 dpi minimum) and a minimum 3"x5". Color photos are ideal, but black-and-white photos are acceptable.
  • Only files in JPEG, TIFF, EPS or PDF formats will be accepted. Printed photos must be 4"x6" or 5"x7". Other printed artwork may be from 3"x5" to 8 1/2"x11". No printed photos or artwork will be returned.
  • Authors are responsible for obtaining written permission to reprint musical examples and photos when necessary. If a publisher requests a fee for the right to reprint, the fee is the author's responsibility.
  • All copyright information (i.e. date, publisher, etc.) must accompany any copyrighted material that is being used.

Manuscript Preparation/Submission

  • AMT accepts only manuscripts submitted as a Microsoft Word or text document and sent via e-mail attachment.
  • Use endnotes, not footnotes or references (Consult the Chicago Manual of Style for examples.) For periodicals, include volume number and date of the issue.
  • Manuscript should include a brief abstract/synopsis of the article.
  • The author's name or other identifying marks should not appear anywhere on the manuscript.
  • The author's name, address, phone number, fax number, e-mail address and a 2-3 sentence biography should be on a separate page.
  • Manuscripts should be submitted to amt@mtna.org .
  • Receipt of the manuscript will be acknowledged.

Peer Review

  • Most manuscripts are reviewed individually by three members of AMT's editorial committee, who will recommend one of three courses of action: accept with definite publication, accept for further consideration or reject.
  • Based on these recommendations, a final decision will be made regarding a course of action.
  • The author's identity remains unknown to everyone but the managing editor throughout the review process.
  • This process can take several months.
  • Authors will be notified of the decision.
  • AMT will not provide commentary on rejected articles.

Compensation

  • Authors receive three complimentary copies of the magazine in which their article appears. Additional copies may be purchased.