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Frequently asked

QUESTIONS

  • Nominations and Features
    To suggest someone for a feature, please visit the Nomination Form on this page. What to expect when you have been nominated for a feature in American Paranormal Magazine APP (formerly APM) makes the process of being featured simple and convenient for all. The entire process can be accomplished efficiently through email instead of traditional phone calls, recordings, or videoconferences. Once you have responded to your invite, you will be asked to submit the following in order for our writers to create a well-rounded profile story for you and/or your research or investigative team: Your team’s origin and background info (a team bio for our reference is helpful if you already have one prepared) and members 4 photos and (a logo would be great) in the highest resolution you have Research/investigation methods Any community outreach/involvement Plans for future research and development Websites/social media handles/contact information (for public use) Brief descriptions of your favorite experiences/locations Anything else you would like to include is always welcome. You'll find our volunteer staff is very friendly and accommodating, and you are welcome to give us a call at 512-387-4437 should you need any assistance though we ask that you also send an accompanying email for a faster response. All of our staff members are volunteers and work remotely. ​Inside Features vs Cover Page Features Upon accepting a nomination and choosing to proceed with your feature, you will be initially scheduled for a free, 2-page inside feature by default. There is never any cost associated with a standard feature in our magazine. Are the magazines online only? No. Our magazines are available in both print and digital in our webstore. However, we are not on newsstands. Newsstand sales are meant to increase circulation and promote a company's brand, not to generate revenue. Because we do not have a marketing budget of this magnitude, this simply does not suit our organization. We do fulfill print orders through a third party, shipped directly to customers. Our magazine is also currently available at independent book stores throughout the US. Please refer to our Ads and Distribution section below for more information. Will I be on the cover of the magazine? We schedule everyone as a standard, inside feature by default. We do have a Cover Page Feature option and one may be available to you if scheduling allows. Simply inquire when you respond to one of our emails to discuss availability. Cover Page researchers and teams must meet the following criteria and are required to make a Quid Pro Quo Contribution (QCD) of $150 in exchange for the copyright license and official media kit: 1) Candidates should be able to claim five or more years of experience in the field of paranormal investigation and research. Legally registered entity formation is not currently required, but the team or researcher should provide evidence or a statement that it/they plan to do so in the form of a DBA, for example, or other formal registry with their state, province or local government. 2) An established website or social media outlet is required and should display your contact information, such as an email address for clients to use. A public access phone number is not currently required. If you use a social media page as your main website and point of contact, it should have a following of 1,000 or more. Another example is the use of a creator Facebook page as your main website wherein Messenger would be an acceptable point of contact for public use. 3) A group photo or photo that best represents the core of the team or the solo researcher/investigator with at least 300 dpi is required for the cover page image. 4) The investigator or team should exist for research purposes beyond entertainment. Our organization prioritizes social value over entertainment value when it comes to content creation. Those who create paranormal content with little to no effort in furthering paranormal research are welcome for a standard feature but will not be considered for a Cover Page feature. Our staff uses the following core criteria for evaluating content but is not limited to (content includes everything from video documentation to written works): a) Clearly defined investigation methods and protocols b) Clarity and resolution of video footage c) Respectful treatment of locations and property owners d) Clear and concise reporting of findings and observations e) Contribution to the advancement of paranormal research and understanding f) Demonstrated commitment to the field and continuous learning g) Positive influence on the public perception of paranormal investigation h) Sharing of methods and techniques to allow others to replicate findings If you are interested in a Cover Page feature and feel you met the criteria, please let us know in your response to the invitation email. If we have availability, you will be able to purchase the copyright by receiving an invoice, and you can choose your preferred payment method such as credit card, debit card, PayPal, Klarna, Afterpay, or an in-house payment plan. Because we are a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization, the QCD is tax deductible. What comes with my magazine feature? This depends on whether you are the Cover Page Feature or a standard inside feature. Inside features receive an official As Seen in American Paranormal Press emblem, and we will announce and tag your feature across social media, mention you in a Press Release, and you will automatically be entered into our spreadsheet of potential bestowal winners. We do not release the license and use copyright for our standard features so you will not receive a final copy of your article or files to share, but you are more than welcome to purchase copies of the magazine to distribute and share the link to the magazine which you will be featured in. We upload every issue to our website for free viewing for a full month, and visitors are not required to login or register in order to read them. If chosen for a Cover Page Feature, you would receive a PDF of the complete magazine along with a media kit with files and a press release to share and distribute however you wish, a spot in our Premier Paranormal Researchers section, lifetime promotion on our social media sites, and should you ever write a paranormal genre book, we will design your cover for you free of charge (this is a one-time service for Cover Features but it never expires). Otherwise, you're more than welcome to a free standard feature! Standard features are published in our magazines but we do not release the rights to these articles to anyone for their personal distribution, just to further clarify. Covers are understandably limited, but we will do our best to schedule you for one as quickly as possible based on your region and our regional editions/availability.  Cover Features are also mentioned in a press release, receive an American Paranormal Magazine Cover Story emblem, announced and tagged across social media, and automatically entered into our spreadsheet of potential bestowal winners. Who nominated me? Nominations now come from many sources, including social media, email, the nomination form on our website, and even word of mouth. In the majority of cases, individuals are nominated by someone they know well, and typically, this person informs the nominee beforehand. However, if our invitation email came as a surprise, it is possible that the nominator prefers to remain anonymous. Out of utmost respect for their privacy, we are committed to not disclosing this information without their explicit consent. If the nominator has provided an email address along with the nomination, we will reach out to them and inquire whether they are comfortable revealing their identity to you. Please note that our policy, effective as of May 2023, has been updated: if we do not receive a response or are unable to contact the nominator, we will uphold their anonymity and refrain from sharing their identity with you. Can I nominate someone for a Cover Page feature? Please feel free to nominate as many researchers, investigators, podcasters, authors, or teams as you like. Cover Page Stories are not guaranteed, however. We will invite them for a feature in one of our magazines as long as they are operating and in good standing in the community. View our most recent magazines by visiting the home page. Please note that a feature in our magazine does not count as a vote for the OWLY© Award. Visit the bottom of this page to nominate a team or individual for a feature. Our vetting process includes researching an individual, company, or other entity before making a decision to go forward with a feature offer. With a limited number of spaces per year, many candidates will not be chosen although they may be qualified. Factors we review are history and experience, social media and website development, activity, community standing, and more. This is a lengthy process with much to consider. Please note that our paranormal publication does not perform criminal background checks. A standard feature in American Paranormal Magazine and the accompanying promotion is entirely free. Researchers are allowed to nominate themselves only once.
  • Credited Internships
    As part of our organization's volunteer program, we work with schools to provide credit to students who work on our behalf. Whether you are interested in writing articles for our magazines or creating social media content for our outlets, we will be able to provide you with the credentials required by participating institutions. We are committed to helping students gain real-world experience and supplying them with the tools to succeed. You can contribute to our volunteer program while gaining valuable skills and building your resume. Anyone, whether a student or not, is welcome to volunteer for our organization, and we will be happy to provide you with a job or experience reference. We look forward to hearing from you and helping you take the next step. Please email inquiries regarding credited internships to publishing@paranormalzine.org.
  • Privacy
    DISCLAIMERS All the information on this website - www.paranormalzine.com - is published in good faith and for general information purpose only. American Paranormal Press (formerly American Paranormal Magazine) does not make any warranties about the completeness, reliability and accuracy of this information. Any action you take upon the information you find on this website (American Paranormal Press), is strictly at your own risk. American Paranormal Press will not be liable for any losses and/or damages in connection with the use of our website. From our website, you can visit other websites by following hyperlinks to such external sites. While we strive to provide only quality links to useful and ethical websites, we have no control over the content and nature of these sites. These links to other websites do not imply a recommendation for all the content found on these sites. Site owners and content may change without notice and may occur before we have the opportunity to remove a link which may have gone 'bad'. Please be also aware that when you leave our website, other sites may have different privacy policies and terms which are beyond our control. Please be sure to check the Privacy Policies of these sites as well as their "Terms of Service" before engaging in any business or uploading any information. CONSENT By using our website, you hereby consent to our disclaimer and agree to its terms. Update Should we update, amend or make any changes to this document, those changes will be prominently posted here. LAST UPDATED 6/4/2023 THE PRIVACY POLICY OF AMERICAN PARANORMAL PRESS Our paranormal publication believes privacy is an important part of our life, so we want to make sure you have a safe and enjoyable experience on our website.  This Privacy Policy describes our policies and procedures on the collection, use, and disclosure of your information when you subscribe to our magazine or newsletter. Upon placing an order you will have the option to opt in for electronic communications. We will collect your name and email address for communication purposes, as well as your shipping address in order to fulfill your purchase. We collect your personal data exclusively for our use. Your information is never shared with a 3rd party.  "We" refers to American Paranormal Press. Nonprofit EIN 88-3547696 If you require any more information or have any questions about our site's disclaimer, please feel free to contact us by email. Please also visit this page.
  • All About The OWLY©
    Each December, the winner of the OWLY Award for Paranormal Researcher of the Year is featured on the cover of the Nationwide magazine issue and receives a commemorative plaque. Voting is now open for international candidates. Voting closes at midnight on November 1st CST. Only one vote allowed per person - per email address. The winner will be announced at 8:00 PM CST on November 1st. Candidates should be active and in good standing in their communities. The winner must submit a shipping address to receive their OWLY plaque. The winner must be able to submit a high-resolution photo for the December Nationwide & International magazine cover. Email us for more details. Visit this page to vote now.
  • Book Design Services
    We design economical book covers for both fiction and nonfiction paranormal authors. eBook covers are only $10 while paper and hardback covers are just $20. We use original artwork and elements so your design will be 100% unique. Having a professional book cover designer do the job for you is a must if you are a professional or aspiring author. An experienced cover designer knows what will sell on the market and will be able to create a unique style for your book that will make it stand out from any other book on the market. You will be able to work with us to create a book cover that is tailored to your vision while incorporating our knowledge of genre conventions and publishing trends to give your book that sought-after impact.   All Cover Feature Researchers can take advantage of this as a free, one-time service. Visit this page for more information and examples.
  • Ads and Distribution
    For those interested in become a stockist, please reach out via email or by phone. Bulk pricing for our magazines is remarkably low. Our nonprofit paranormal publication offers the most affordable rates in magazine marketing with 13 sizes to choose from, and all proceeds go right back into the paranormal community in the form of awards, recognition, bestowals, promotion, and more. Doing business with American paranormal is making a contribution to a worthy community of researchers. American Paranormal Magazine is online and in print. Your ad will appear in ALL issues for the month. We run 8-10 regional editions each month, including Canada and the UK, so your ad will reach international readers. We receive thousands of weekly visitors to our website who are able to read our magazines online for free, no login or registration required. 5 star reviews come in weekly and our readership is rapidly growing since our launch in January of 2022. Our magazine is shipped worldwide with most copies sold in North America. Copies are currently sold in independent bookstores in Caldwell, ID, Austin, TX, and Santa Fe, NM. If you have any additional questions, we are more than happy to answer them for you. Please send us an email inquiry with any questions and for a list of our rates and options.
  • Annual Bestowals
    Awarded by American Paranormal Press on behalf of Fellow Earthlings Nonprofit EIN 88-3547696. Bestowal criteria has significantly changed as of October 2023. American Paranormal Magazine is committed to supporting outstanding paranormal researchers and research teams through our bestowal program. We award an amount TBD in cash awards to up to three paranormal researchers or research teams who demonstrate merit and an intent to use the fund toward developing their research and investigation methods. This amount is entirely dependent on revenue in excess of operational costs which is fluctuating, thus a predetermined figure and date is not possible. The cash awards are divided between the selected teams to support their investigative efforts and help advance the field of paranormal research. We believe that by recognizing and supporting the most promising investigators, we can promote greater understanding of the unexplained and contribute to the advancement of the paranormal community. If you are a paranormal researcher or research team who is passionate about your work and in need of financial assistance, we encourage you to have someone nominate you for a feature. We welcome all nominations for those actively contributing to the field and look forward to supporting the next generation of paranormal investigators. As of May 2023, all potential recipients of the award are required to provide consent for publicly announcing both their receipt of the award and the corresponding amount received. This essential step is taken to ensure the award's legitimacy and to effectively promote awareness of its existence. Additionally, this disclosure serves as a crucial measure of accountability for the recipient, reinforcing transparency and trust in the process. There is no voting system in place for this award. The award is only open to those who have been featured in an issue of our magazine. The bestowal of the award is open to both organizations and sole proprietorships. This inclusive approach aims to recognize and appreciate outstanding contributions and achievements from various entities, regardless of their size or structure. The awardee(s) must fulfill one of the following criteria to be eligible for consideration: a) Be a registered nonprofit organization: The award is open to nonprofit entities that have obtained official registration as per the legal requirements of the relevant jurisdiction. These organizations must be actively engaged in paranormal investigation or related services, making meaningful contributions to the community. b) Provide paranormal investigation services to the community at no cost: Alternatively, individual entities or groups engaged in paranormal investigation activities may be eligible if they offer their services to the community without any financial charge. Their commitment to providing valuable assistance, insights, or support to the public without expecting monetary compensation demonstrates a strong dedication to the field and the welfare of the community. In the selection process, past featured investigators and contributors will be accorded first consideration for the award. Priority will be given to those who have previously been featured on the Cover Page, showcasing their significant contributions and achievements in the field of paranormal investigation. However, it's important to note that the awarding process is comprehensive and takes into account various factors, ensuring a fair and thorough evaluation of all candidates. While past recognition plays a role, it is not the sole determinant. Other crucial factors include, but are not limited to: Community involvement and reputation: The extent to which the nominee has actively engaged with and positively impacted the community through their paranormal investigation efforts. Community recognition and support are valuable indicators of the nominee's impact. Mission and goals: The alignment of the nominee's organization or individual mission with the broader objectives of advancing knowledge, understanding, and awareness in the field of paranormal investigation. Consistency: Consistency in their dedication and commitment to paranormal investigation, demonstrated through a track record of ongoing efforts and contributions. Withstanding and resilience: The nominee's ability to withstand challenges and overcome obstacles in the pursuit of their paranormal investigation goals. Award dates and frequency may change at the discretion of American Paranormal Press. Awards may be distributed to more than one investigator or group, depending on total annual proceeds collected through donations and sales. California Ghost Investigations (CGI) was the sole recipient of the January 2023 Bestowal. Our next bestowal event is scheduled to take place in January 2024, and we are excited to continue honoring remarkable individuals and organizations within the paranormal community.
  • Shipping and Returns
    Magazines are printed on demand by a third party. We place orders with the printing company every Friday. It then takes the company 5-7 business days to fulfill the order at which time it will be dispatched. Please allow an additional 5-7 business days for receipt of your order. While it is not ideal, the magazine printing industry does have a rather slow turnaround time. If you have not received your order within 15-20 business days, please reach out to us and we will either track the package or send a replacement if lost in transit. Returns and exchanges are managed on a case-by-case basis. ​American Paranormal Press does its duty to accommodate everyone, and has no formal return and exchange policy in place. Send us a message via email if you would like to open a support ticket. ​When ordering a printed magazine, please ensure that we have your correct shipping address. We cannot be held responsible for mail tampering, lost mail, or carrier mistakes or delays related to misinformation. 
  • Writer Submissions
    Are you a paranormal-genre writer looking to be published in a rapidly-growing, international magazine? You may submit your original work for consideration for publication. Our writers do not receive compensation for their contributions at this time. You will have the opportunity to be published in an international magazine that is rapidly growing, as well as to build your resume and be recognized for your work. Submit your original, paranormal-themed articles or short fiction. Articles and short stories should be roughly between 750 - 3,000 words in length in doc or docx format. Are you looking for a book publishing company to endorse your book in lieu of self-publishing? Please email at publising@paranormalzine.org us for more information about our hybrid book publishing service coming in 2024.
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