Author Playbook for The Script

1. What is The Script: A brief history

To write for The Script, it is essential to understand its legacy and its role within the Transactional Analysis community.

Origin and purpose

The Script is the official newsletter of the International Transactional Analysis Association (ITAA). Founded in 1971, it was established with the mission of being the primary communication channel between the organization and its members worldwide.

Distinct from the Transactional Analysis Journal (TAJ)—which focuses on academic rigor, scientific research, and peer-reviewed theoretical advancements—The Script has a community and informational vocation. It is the "pulse" of the ITAA.

The meaning of the name

The title is an intentional and symbolic play on words. In Transactional Analysis, the concept of a "Script" (or Life Script) refers to the unconscious life plan created in childhood.

By naming the newsletter The Script, the ITAA recontextualizes the term for an organizational setting: here, the "Script" is not something that limits us, but rather the living record of our history, our news, and the vital exchanges that keep the association moving.

The Script today

Currently, the publication serves as a mirror of the ITAA's international diversity. It is the space where we celebrate member achievements, share board updates, announce conferences, pay tribute to colleagues (obituaries), and offer short articles that bridge theory with daily practice or association life.

For the author, writing for The Script means contributing to the ITAA’s historical archive and engaging directly with colleagues from every continent.

2. Reader profile and editorial dynamics

Writing for The Script requires keen cultural sensitivity. We do not write for a local niche, but for a vibrant global network.

Who reads us?

Our audience is comprised of professionals, students, and enthusiasts of Transactional Analysis spread across the globe.

• Geographic reach: We are present in over 50 countries.
• Linguistic diversity: Collectively, our community speaks more than 40 languages.

The language challenge:
Although The Script is published in English, for the vast majority of our readers, English is a second or third language.

• Golden rule for the author: Write simply and directly. Avoid local slang, complex metaphors, or overly long sentence structures that might hinder comprehension for a reader in Japan, Brazil, or Romania, for example. Clarity is our greatest ally in fostering inclusion.

How is content produced?

The Script is a hybrid construction. The content that reaches our readers stems from two main sources:

1. Editorial production (the newsroom)
These are institutional materials produced by the editorial team and the ITAA Board of Trustees.

• Focus: Official news, elections, governance updates, financial reports, and conference announcements.
• Objective: To maintain transparency and inform members about the organization's operations.

2. Member contributions (the community)
This is where you, the guest author or volunteer, come in. The richness of The Script comes from the voices of its members.

• Focus: Regional news, award celebrations, obituaries/tributes, reports on conference experiences, book reviews, and short opinion pieces or practical applications of TA.
• Objective: To connect people, share successes, and showcase how TA is lived across different cultures.

Our tone of voice

To harmonize these two content sources, we maintain a specific tone:

• Welcoming and communal: We are an association of people. The text should feel human and approachable.
• Professional, yet accessible: We respect the theory, but without the academic "weight" required in the TAJ.
• Inclusive: Whenever possible, contextualize cultural references so that everyone can understand.

3. Style guidelines and references: Balancing authority and accessibility

As The Script evolves, so does the depth of our content. We encourage authors to substantiate their ideas, allowing for a level of discourse that exceeds mere reporting without crossing into the heavy academic territory of the TAJ.

The role of citations and footnotes

Unlike in the past, articles in The Script now welcome the use of footnotes and references.

• Purpose: The goal of including references here is not to satisfy a peer-review board, but to reinforce the authority of your arguments. It allows authors to connect current discussions with established theory or external data, adding weight to their contributions.
• The difference from TAJ: While the Transactional Analysis Journal requires exhaustive academic rigor, The Script uses citations to support the narrative flow. We want the "why" and "how" to be clear, but the reading experience should remain fluid and accessible.

The dual standard: AP and APA

To achieve a professional journalistic feel while respecting our scientific roots, we utilize two distinct style guides. It is crucial for authors to understand where each applies:

1. For the narrative text: Associated Press (AP) style
for the body of your article—the storytelling, the grammar, the punctuation, and the capitalization—we follow the AP stylebook (latest edition).

• Why? AP Style is the gold standard for journalism. It prioritizes clarity, brevity, and consistency, which is essential for our diverse, international readership.

2. For references and citations: APA style
When you need to cite a book, an article, or a theory, you must follow the standards of the American Psychological Association (APA).

• Where to find it: Please ensure your citations comply with the current guidelines available at https://apastyle.apa.org/.
• Note: While the text about the citation follows AP style, the citation itself (and the reference list at the end) must be strictly APA.

Summary for the Author:

"Write your story like a journalist (AP Style), but cite your sources like a scientist (APA Style)."

4. Submission process and deadlines

We have streamlined our submission workflow to ensure every article is tracked, reviewed, and polished efficiently.

How to submit

All submissions must be sent via a single email to editorial@thescript.digital.

Please ensure your email includes the complete package:

• The text: Your article attached as a document (Word or Google Doc).
• Visuals: High-resolution images (if applicable) attached as separate files (e.g., .jpg, .png). Do not embed images inside the text document.
• Author notes: A brief biography and contact details.

Important guidelines on imagery:
The visual layout is critical to the digital reading experience.

• Separation is key: Images embedded in Word documents lose quality and cannot be extracted for web use. Always attach them separately.
• Editorial evaluation: All images will be assessed by the design team. We will determine if they should be integrated into the body text, if they require editing/cropping, or if they are better suited as a link leading to an external gallery or page.
• Functionality: The layout must always contribute to the narrative, never making the text more difficult to read. Furthermore, images should have stand-alone value—they must be interpretable and meaningful even when viewed in isolation.

The ticketing system

Sending your email to this address automatically generates a support ticket. This system manages the entire lifecycle of your article, from the initial receipt to the final editorial adjustments. It ensures that no submission is lost and that communication remains centralized.

Deadlines and editorial calendar

The Script operates on a strict monthly schedule.

• The rule: Submissions must be received by the 15th of the month prior to the target publication month.
• Example: If you wish to publish in the March edition, you must submit your material no later than February 15th.

Note: Submissions received after the deadline may be held for a subsequent issue depending on space and relevance. Any variations to this standard deadline, whether for shorter or longer submission periods, will be officially communicated to the community in advance.

Response time and author engagement

Every submission receives a response. While we do not have a fixed statutory deadline for our reply, our internal goal is to acknowledge receipt and provide initial feedback within one week.

Crucial: Post-submission collaboration
Submitting the article is just the first step. The editorial process is collaborative.
It is vital that you remain available to discuss your text after submission. You may be asked to clarify points, shorten paragraphs for layout purposes, or approve final edits. A responsive author helps ensure the article is published on time and to the highest standard.

5. Writing for the digital age: Optimization and metadata

We deeply value every word you submit. Your voice is the heart of The Script. However, publishing on a modern digital platform involves technical requirements that go beyond traditional print media.

To ensure your article is not only read by our current members but also preserved for history and discoverable by new audiences (and technologies), we need to format it for the web.

The "invisible" readers: SEO and LLMs

Today, your text is read by humans, but it is also processed by search engines (like Google) and Large Language Models (AI).

• Modern archiving: Historically, archiving meant storing paper in a library. Today, archiving means correctly filling out metadata. These are "invisible tags" that tell technology what your article is about, ensuring it remains accessible and categorized correctly for decades to come.

The anatomy of a title: Yours vs. the cover

We respect your creative choice of title. On the page where your full article appears, we strive to keep the title exactly as you wrote it.

However, on the website’s homepage, in email newsletters, or on social media cards, space is strictly limited.

• The cover title: If your original title is too long for the design layout (character count limits), the editorial team will create a shorter "Cover Title." This acts as a doorway; when the reader clicks on it, they are taken to your article, where your original, full title is displayed.

The editor's toolkit: Understanding "accessory texts"

You may notice various introductory or supporting texts surrounding your article. These are technical elements that the editorial team uses to structure the layout and "hook" the reader.

Here are the terms we use, so you understand the anatomy of a page:

1. The deck (or standfirst)
Depending on the region, this is called a deck (in the US) or a standfirst (in the UK).

• What it is: The introductory text that sits right between the headline and the body of the article.
• Function: It is not just a summary; it is the bridge that compels the reader to move from the title into your story.

2. Subheads (or subheds)

• What they are: These are the smaller headings used inside your article to break the text into sections.
• Function: In the digital world, large blocks of text can be tiring. We use subheads to create "breathing room" and help the reader scan the content effectively.

3. The Kicker

• What it is: A short, punchy line or phrase. Sometimes it appears above the main headline (like a label), and sometimes it serves as a visual hook within the layout.
• Function: It adds context or flair, quickly orienting the reader before they even start reading the main headline.

4. Teasers, blurbs, and lead-ins

• What they are: Short snippets of text used on the homepage "cards," in email subject lines, or on social media.
• Function: A blurb is the "elevator pitch" of your article—a few lines designed exclusively to generate a click. A lead-in is the textual path that guides the reader from the homepage to your full text.

Editorial discretion on "packaging"

Our commitment is to collaboration. Whenever possible, we will consult you regarding significant changes to the body of your work.

However, for the accessory elements listed above (decks, blurbs, cover titles, and metadata), the editorial team reserves the right to make adjustments without prior notice.

• The goal: This is never done to alter the meaning of your work. It is done strictly to ensure visual coherence, fit the text within the design modules, and maximize the technical performance (SEO) of your article.

6. Extending the reach: social media adaptation

Your article’s journey does not end when it is published on The Script website. In fact, that is just the beginning. To ensure your ideas reach the widest possible audience, we actively promote content across the ITAA’s official social media channels.

The rules of engagement on platforms like Instagram, LinkedIn, and Facebook are vastly different from a dedicated news site. Therefore, the "packaging" of your article must adapt again.

The art of the "remix"

When we translate an article into a social media post, we are competing for attention in a fast-moving feed. To "stop the scroll," the editorial and social media teams may significantly alter how your content is presented.

1. Transforming titles into hooks
This is where you may notice the most visible changes.

• The shift: On social media, a descriptive title often doesn't generate clicks.
• The strategy: We may transform your original headline into a provocative question or a curiosity gap.
  
  • Example: An article titled "Analysis of Structural Ego States in Corporate Settings" might be posted on social media with the hook: "Are you behaving like a Parent or a Child in your board meetings?"
• The goal: These changes are designed solely to generate interest and drive the user to click the link and read your full, original work.

2. Visual summaries
We may extract quotes, key statistics, or short concepts from your text to create carousel slides or graphic cards. These serve as "trailers" for the full movie that is your article.

Author collaboration and tagging

We want to celebrate you. Whenever we post about your article, our goal is to tag your personal or professional profile.

• Collab posts: On platforms that support it (like Instagram), we may invite you to be a "collaborator" on the post. This allows the content to appear on both the ITAA’s feed and your own, doubling the visibility.

Trusting the process

Just as with the website’s accessory texts, the creation of social media captions, hooks, and hashtags is managed by the editorial team.
By submitting to The Script, you acknowledge that social media optimization requires speed and flexibility, and you trust our team to adapt the presentation of your work to suit the algorithms, without altering the core meaning of your message.

7. A partnership for the future

We want to close this playbook by acknowledging the most important element of The Script: You.

Technology, SEO, style guides, and social media algorithms are merely tools. Without your stories, your research, and your community updates, these tools are empty. We are navigating a significant digital transition together, and we want this journey to be as smooth as it is exciting.

Our pledge to you:

• Open channels: Editorial decisions are never made in a black hole. We are always available to explain the "why" behind a change.
• Joyful collaboration: Writing for the ITAA should not be a bureaucratic burden. It should be a celebration of our shared knowledge. We want the process of publishing to be as rewarding as the act of writing.

Let us treat this relationship as a conversation—one that is open, transparent, and, whenever possible, filled with the joy of connection.

⚡ Quick reference guide

Ready to submit? Use this checklist to ensure your article flies through the editorial process.

📅 Deadlines & logistics

• The deadline: The 15th of the month prior to publication (e.g., Feb 15th for the March issue).
• Where to send: Email editorial@thescript.digital.
• What happens next: You will receive an automated ticket confirmation. We aim to reply personally within one week.

📝 The content package

• The text: Submit as a clean Word document or Google Doc.
• The images: Send high-resolution photos as separate attachments (do not paste them inside the Word doc).
• The bio: Include a short author biography and a headshot.

🎨 Style & formatting

• Narrative: Use AP Style (journalistic, clear, accessible).
• References: Use APA Style (strictly for citations and bibliographies).
• Language: Write simple, "International English" suitable for a global audience.

🤝 After submission

• Be available: Watch your email for questions or approval requests regarding the final layout.
• Be flexible: Understand that titles, decks, and social media captions may be adjusted by the editorial team for SEO and engagement.

Welcome to The Script. Let’s write history together.

Editorial responsibility & credits

This playbook was developed to ensure the continued excellence and professional evolution of the International Transactional Analysis Association's official publication.

Marguerite Sacco
President, ITAA

Jeanette Wygoda
Development Director & Journalist

Laurie Hawkes
Editorial Board Member, The Script

Vinícius Sgarbe
Managing Editor, The Script
Chair of the Communication Committee & Journalist

Clive Vanderwagen
Editorial Board Member, The Script & Journalist

February 2026