If you've ever wanted to know how publications are put together, or if you are interested in writing and journalism, this competition offers you an excellent chance to peek behind the scenes. We’re offering one reader the opportunity to edit the May 2005 issue of DeskDemon Express, choosing their own articles, on the issues they want to read about.

You might decide you'd like to write an article or two yourself, or to invite your colleagues to contribute features. Perhaps you'd like to interview someone in the sector to investigate an issue? Maybe you've always felt that publications aimed at support professionals should cover one particular topic? Here is your opportunity to have your say!

No experience is necessary. All that's required is ideas, enthusiasm - and a willingness to put a bit of effort in! You'll have a long lead time to put the issue together - planning will begin in January - to ensure that you can find the time alongside your daily work commitments. And if it sounds daunting, don't worry! Editor Penny Cottee will be there with you every step of the way to guide and help you.

The Guest Editor will work with the Editor to decide which features will appear in the May issue, and how best to use the Editorial Budget. Each issue of DeskDemon Express has a theme, and for this special issue we want you to come up with ideas and articles around "Celebrating Achievement", to tie in with Professional Secretaries' Week.

The Guest Editor will then commission the articles, edit them, discuss images to run alongside them, and check the final layout on screen before DeskDemon Express is e-mailed to its 35,000 readers.

1 Send us three feature idea synopses for your "Celebrating Achievement" issue of DeskDemon Express. Feature ideas should be no more than 75 words each, and should sell your idea, explaining:

(a) the main subject of your feature
(b) the key points the article would cover and why they're interesting/useful
(c) the format (eg, an interview, bullet points, a Q&A article, a quiz, etc).

Here's an example of a feature synopsis from the October issue of DeskDemon Express:

The article would look at the importance of your work image, and how giving out the right messages in the workplace is vital. The piece would focus on the ways in which you can build a dynamic set of work outfits, without spending a fortune - and how to maintain them. It should be light-hearted, but offer a very practical guide for readers. It could work well as an interview with an image consultant.

2 Write no more than 300 words on what you would like to include in your issue of DeskDemon Express, and why you think you would benefit from the experience

3 Submit your entry by e-mail to express@deskdemon.com

4 Closing date for entries is 30 November 2004

5 The winner will be announced in the January 2005 issue

6 Initial Editorial Planning Meeting will take place in January/February

Oh - and there's just one final thing. We'll also need a nice photo of you, to put in the Editor's slot on the e-magazine! It will, after all, be YOUR issue!