More about Firstline

Our mission

To inspire receptionists, registered technicians, practice managers, and veterinary assistants to build strong relationships with co-workers, improve their communication skills, and educate clients with confidence in order to enhance their contributions to a veterinary practice and maximize every patient's well-being.

Our readers

The receptionists, registered technicians, veterinary assistants, and practice managers who work in veterinary practice and make their success possible.

Firstline Contributors' Guidelines

Who we are

Firstline is a professional trade magazine for veterinary team members-receptionists, veterinary assistants, technicians, and practice managers-that provides detailed articles about the business of client and patient care. We cover topics related to communication and practice management, including professional growth, client relations, team building, and the human/animal bond.

What we want from you

We encourage freelance writers to submit proposals or outlines for articles. Most of the pieces we publish include interviews with the veterinary team and industry experts nationwide or case study examples of team members' experiences, lessons learned, and tips. We accept only a small number of unsolicited manuscripts each year. However, we do assign many articles to freelance writers. Here's an overview of the types of articles we're always looking for:

Pearls of Practice (250 words or less, $40)

Do you have a great idea that you've used in your practice and think will work for others? We'd like to hear about it. We're looking for practical, how-to tips on client relations, client education, marketing, staff rewards, hospital décor, hospital maintenance, accounts receivable, and more. (No clinical tips, please.)

Room to Grow (500 words or less, $40)

Did you start a doggie daycare at your practice? Apply to veterinary school? Become a behavior trainer? Share tips about how you've grown in your profession with your colleagues.

Making it Meaningful (600 to 1,2000 words, $150)

Have you had a real-life experience that demonstrated the bond between people and pets? Have you had a client and patient that you'll just never forget? Tell us how these moments illustrate the bond and how this experience changed your approach or your perspective.

Product News (300 words or less, $0)

Do you have a new product that veterinarians need to know about? Send us your press release with a digital photo (3 inches at 300 dpi).

Features (800 to 2,000 words, $250 to $350)

We're looking for team members to share their stories and lessons from practice life. Let us know if you've experienced any of the following and would be willing to share your story, including your picture, with our readers.

• Supporting clients who've made the decision to euthanize a beloved ailing pet

• Dealing with a bully in your practice-what happened, and how did you cope?

• Abusive clients. Tell us your horror stories and how you handled them

• Struggling with burnout and ready to quit. What's pushing you to the edge?

• Best and worst bosses

What you can expect from us

We review all material submitted by first-time contributors, and we generally respond within 12 to 16 weeks. We pay on publication. Our rates vary depending on the length and scope of the article and the writer's experience. Firstline buys all rights to published articles.

Firstline's style is concise yet conversational, and all manuscripts undergo a rigorous editing process. We encourage writers to provide specific examples to illustrate the points they make in their articles.

Ready to become famous in the veterinary profession?

Please send queries to Editor, Firstline, 8033 Flint, Lenexa, KS 66214, or firstline@advanstar.com.