Writer's Guidelines
Thanks for your interest in writing for Washington Travel and Life magazine. We look forward to receiving your queries, but before you send them please read this information carefully; it answers many frequently asked questions and will help you understand our magazine.
What Are We About?
Washington Travel and Life is the definitive resource for people who want a deeper experience of living in or visiting Washington State. Our articles and photographs help them make choices, avoid another routine weekend and provide perspectives that explores deeper than chamber of commerce fluff. Washington Travel and Life is an upscale travel/lifestyle magazine focusing on everything from wine to architectural design, popular dining spots to hidden recreational opportunities. Washington Travel and Life is smart and fun and seeks to celebrate our unique corner of the country; its cities, its people, its wildlife, its wonders.
Who Are Our Readers?
Washington Travel and Life readers are highly mobile people who live, work and play in our beautiful state. The magazine has a readership of more than 100,000 per issue. It is also distributed at thousands of hotels, boutiques, health clubs, restaurants and medical offices statewide. Washington Travel and Life readers are affluent, travelers, frequent shoppers, diners, hotel guests, active and involved.
What Makes a Washington Travel and Life Story?
Subjects that will remain fresh during our two to four month lead time and have a unique and unexpected angle. A tone that is personal and highly narrative. Stories that are about or that illustrate a sense of mobility (not only dealing with travel, but all on-the-go lifestyles) and that have a state-wide perspective. Fresh ideas that go beyond traditional reporting and essays. The goal is to make our (your) readers feel more tuned in to the state than they did before picking up the magazine.
What Sparks Our Interest?
A better question would be what sparks our reader's interest? Anyone can just spout off "Leavenworth" or "Port Townsend" or "The Columbia River" or "Hiking" - we already know the obvious things. Instead, we need specific, concrete ideas with unique angles, like "Washington's best private gardens", "Washington's wild horses: how one ranger is saving them", "Four great wine tours, one for each corner of the state," etc. First and foremost, articles must be well-researched and entertaining to read. Tell us a story! Introduce us to fascinating people, places, events, or issues. Take us places we’ve never been before . . . if we have been there before; help us find new perspectives, hidden pathways and new friends. You care about your subject-make us care about it, too.
Photographs?
Yes, please. Your first objective is to write a compelling article, but we urge writers to help us find high-quality photographs and illustrations. Ask the subjects you interview if they have photos, historic or current that they can supply to go with the story. When you start researching your story give our editor any photo ideas, contacts, etc. so that we can start gathering images as early as possible. Electronic images are preferred and should be saved as JPEG files, at 300 dpi or higher at no less than seven inches on the long side. All submissions should include the name of the photographer as it is to appear in the credit line and a description of the place or name of the subject for the caption.
How Do You Pitch Your Ideas?
Your best bet is to a brief query with a few samples of your previously published work. Tell us why your idea is right for our magazine and why you're the one to write it. Tell us specific details about the subject and angle, not just, “I would like to write about whitewater rafting.” Please do not submit more than three story ideas per query letter. If you send a query via regular mail, please include a self-addressed, stamped envelope for our reply. Please allow four to six weeks for a response. You can also e-mail us with a pitch, clips, etc. We do not accept unsolicited verbal/phone queries.
A Note to Advertisers
: If you're an advertiser you are welcome to suggest story ideas as long as it's not self-serving. You will be held to the same standards as all writers and must submit story ideas in writing, with previously published clips. Our decision to publish or not does not affect the advertising agreement.How Do We Pay?
Assigned articles range from byline only up to $250 depending on length and complexity of subject matter. As a general guideline, the pay scale is: $50-$100 for shorts and articles up to 600 words; $100-$250 for features up to 2,000 words; $50 extra for photo(s) to accompany articles. *We do not pay for news, press releases, announcements, or stories submitted by advertisers or public relations firms.
Payment is made 60 days from date of publication When we assign an article, we will send you a formal writing assignment/contract that will include word count, fee, deadline, etc. Any additional expenses related to the assignment must be negotiated and agreed upon in writing.
A few more details:
- Upon final submission, the editor has the right to edit any or all text.
- Washington Travel and Life magazine has the right to use the author's article on Washington Travel and Life web site without additional compensation.
- Washington Travel and Life magazine has the right to use the author's article in promotional material related to publicizing Washington Travel and Life magazine; the publisher will not compensate the writer for any reprints, providing that the published article is for promotional purposes only.
- Washington Travel and Life magazine and all articles and photos are copyrighted. After the author's article has been published, the publisher will pay the author for the edited version.
- Submissions become the property of Washington Travel and Life magazine
- Before incurring expenses, get prior approval.
- The author agrees that he or she is the sole author, that the work is not libelous and that it does not violate any other copyright.
- Washington Travel and Life magazine is under no obligation to publish the work.
For more information, please contact us.