Contributor Guidelines

Thank you for your interest in contributing to Wood Work Science. We explore the science behind woodworking—wood materials, behavior, finishes, adhesives, tools, and every curious question about wood. If you love evidence, experiments, and the smell of freshly planed shavings, you’re in the right place.

Please read these guidelines carefully before pitching. We value lived shop experience, lab-grade rigor, and writing that helps makers do better work—safely, repeatably, and with confidence.

What We Are Looking For

We accept articles that are:

  • Original: Content must be 100% unique and unpublished elsewhere (including your own site). We run plagiarism checks. If you used assistive tools, disclose that and ensure human editing and firsthand insight.
  • Actionable: We prefer how-to experiments, test-backed guides, and analytical deep dives over opinions. Show your setup, steps, measurements, and results. Make it reproducible.
  • Depth: Aim for 1,200–2,200 words. Go longer if the data warrants it. Clarity first. Jargon only when necessary—and define it.
  • Evidence-based: Reference primary sources and standards where relevant (e.g., ASTM, AWPA, AWI, ISO). Cite data, not hearsay. Charts, tables, and photos are welcome.
  • Experience-driven: Hands-on testing is gold. Share what you measured, what failed, and what you’d do differently next time. Wins and misses both teach.
  • Safety-first: Call out PPE, hazards (dust, VOCs, kickback, fire), and compliance considerations. Never encourage unsafe practices.
  • Ethical and transparent: Disclose affiliations, sponsored materials, or samples. No hidden promos. Links must serve readers, not SEO schemes.
  • Clear visuals: Provide original, well-lit images or diagrams you own the rights to. Include figure captions and units (imperial and metric when useful).
  • Reader-first structure: Strong headline, tight intro, scannable subheads, concrete takeaways, and a short summary of key findings at the end.

Topics of Interest

  • Wood science fundamentals: anatomy, grain, density, Janka hardness, EMC and movement.
  • Moisture management: drying, conditioning, acclimation, seasonal gaps, coatings permeability.
  • Adhesives and joints: PVA vs. epoxy vs. polyurethane, bond strength, creep, shear tests, joinery design.
  • Finishes and coatings: film vs. penetrating, durability, UV/weathering, VOCs, curing chemistry.
  • Species and material profiles: hardwoods/softwoods, bamboo, veneer, plywood, MDF, LVL, CLT—data-driven comparisons.
  • Tooling science: saw blade geometry, chip load, feed/speed, cutter wear, CNC machining of wood and composites.
  • Testing and experiments: screw withdrawal, bending, shear, adhesion, finish failure analysis—methods, raw data, and conclusions.
  • Durability outdoors: rot resistance, treatment, coatings maintenance cycles, fastener corrosion.
  • Sustainability and sourcing: certifications, lifecycle impacts, reclaimed wood, environmental trade-offs.
  • Standards and best practices: ASTM, AWI, AWPA, ISO/EN guidance interpreted for real-world shops.
  • Shop environment and safety: dust collection, filtration, noise, static, ventilation, fire safety.
  • Case studies: quantified project outcomes, cost/time analysis, process optimization, lessons learned.
  • Reference tools: calculators, lookup charts, templates, and decision frameworks for wood selection and process planning.

What We Do Not Accept

  • Press releases or sales pitches.
  • Posts with excessive self-promotion.
  • Content generated entirely by AI tools without thorough human editing and firsthand insight.
  • Thin listicles with generic tips, unverified claims, or no data/sources.
  • Link-building schemes, affiliate-heavy content, or undisclosed sponsorships.
  • Unsafe instructions, code violations, or advice that disregards basic safety practices.
  • Plagiarism or images you don’t have rights to use.
  • Off-topic lifestyle pieces not grounded in wood science or materials.

How to Submit

Please send a concise pitch (2–3 sentences with your proposed headline, key takeaway, and why it matters), plus links to two writing samples via the contact us page. Include your relevant credentials (shop experience, certifications, testing background), a 3–5 point outline, and 3–5 primary sources you plan to cite. If we’re interested, we’ll reply within 5 business days with next steps, formatting specs (citations, image requirements, units), and our editorial process. Note: we reserve final editorial decisions, may edit for clarity and accuracy, and do not guarantee publication. One brief author bio is included with accepted pieces; no promotional links beyond a portfolio/author page (nofollow) and neutral citations to reputable sources.