Guidelines for entrants to Ingenuity Unlimited
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The Ingenuity Unlimited column published in Everyday Practical 
Electronics is a famous, long-established feature which enables 
readers to submit their own circuit suggestions for publication. The 
column tries to appeal to all levels and abilities, and is partly 
designed to encourage novices and younger readers to try their hand 
at circuit design. Ingenuity Unlimited  is also an ideal outlet where 
more experienced readers can pass on their own pet ideas to others.

We are looking for novel circuit ideas and tips, not simply 
"electrical" ideas. There should be a reasonable degree of 
originality, or perhaps using a circuit configuration in an unusual 
and novel way to solve a particular problem neatly and effectively.

There is always a limit on the space available and therefore 
Ingenuity Unlimited cannot usually accommodate complex circuits which 
demand considerable space for the schematic and text. We prefer 
circuits which can be printed within, half a page or so.

WE WILL NOT ACCEPT CIRCUIT SUBMISSIONS VIA E-MAIL.

Please follow these guidelines when submitting a circuit:

1. Circuits must be inherently safe and not promote any dangerous or 
   undesirable practices.
2. Please ensure that all drawings are as clear and neat as possible, 
   since it will pass through several departments during preparation 
   for publication. Label all i.c. pin numbers clearly, and show ALL
   relevant component values.
3. Please avoid using obsolete components. A suggested source for 
   unusual parts is helpful.
4. Please show all power rails clearly, labelling the various 
   voltages etc. to avoid confusion. Also please show the polarity of 
   parts clearly, where required.
5. It is not necessary to submit full artwork because we will 
   invariably need to redraw the circuit to conform with our house 
   style. A clear ruled sketch is fine, but the information should be 
   clear and complete.
6. Text should preferably be typed or word-processed, printed on one 
   side of the paper only.
7. Text should contain sufficient material to describe the circuit 
   operation. Usually, only a few paragraphs of text are necessary, 
   and lengthy text will be edited to fit the available space. 
   Approximately 100-500 words is the maximum needed, so please try 
   to be brief and to the point.
8. We regret we cannot accept material which requires a software 
   listing. This includes PIC or EEPROM-based circuits.
9. We do NOT accept material for possible publication, by e-mail.

Copyright Issues
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Material should be original, although it is accepted that there may
be the need to use standard circuit configurations (e.g. a 555
astable) as part of a larger system, for which no originality is 
claimed.

Copied circuits are DISHONEST and UNWELCOME. A minority of readers 
have in the past abused the spirit of Ingenuity Unlimited by 
submitting copied circuits, sometimes even declaring in writing that 
the ideas are their own. Loyal readers always spot this. 

Successful entrants are required to sign our standard disclaimer in 
which they agree to indemnify us in the event that the copyright of a 
published circuit belongs to a third party. Please avoid multiple 
submissions to all magazines, because of copyright issues which 
follow.

It is our practice to purchase All Rights, and payment is made at the
time of publication. It may take many months before publication,
depending on the number of entries currently pending. We pay between
GBP10 - 50 for all ideas printed.

Lastly, if  your entry is not successful, it could simply be because 
we have simply covered that topic previously. Don't be disheartened - 
keep trying!  -  Alan Winstanley.

Last updated June 2001