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A D D L E R · C O N T R I B U T O R S'
· G U I D E L I N E S
(Scroll down for Photographers' Guidelines)
Writers' Guidelines
The mark of a really great writer is that he or
she gives expression to what the masses of mankind think or feel
without knowing it. The mediocre writer simply writes what everyone
would have said.
--G.C. Lichtenberg, 1799
So
you want to write for Paddler? Great. We'd love to have you. Here's
all we ask: Send us stories that are informative, entertaining, and well-written.
If your article only has one of these ingredients, then try again
before sending it to us. For example, if your destination piece tells
us everything there is to know about a particular place to paddle, but
doesn't make us want to go there and paddle, then you've only achieved
half your goal. To paraphrase Steve Martin (In Planes, Trains and
Automobiles): "If you're going to tell a story, have a point—it makes
it so much more interesting for the reader." Keep this in mind, too: you don’t have to be a good writer to be a good reporter, but you have to be a good reporter to be a good writer. If you’ve never written for Paddler before, the odds of us accepting a 4,000-word feature on a paddling trip are slim. Perhaps shoot for a shorter article (Lead-In section, Opus, or My Trip) your first time. And we are always looking for unique storylines that haven’t been told before.
Paddler is published six times a year by and for knowledgeable
paddlers. We cover the whole spectrum—whitewater, flatwater, canoeing,
sea kayaking, rafting, sit-on-tops—if you do it with a paddle in your
hand, we're all over it. Our core audience is the intermediate to
advanced paddler, yet we strive to cover the entire range from
beginners to experts. If you're the type of contributor we're looking
for, you already know this because our first requirement is that you be
familiar with Paddler magazine. We ask that you not just read the
magazine before querying us, but that you know it. Check out a few
issues.
Keep in mind that we are looking for stories with visual appeal. If
good photos are available—either your own or those of an established
photographer—we are much more likely to accept your query. (It's a
good practice to include one or two representative photos in queries.
If querying by e-mail, attach low-res jpegs.)
We prefer to receive queries and manuscripts by e-mail, as either
inline text or an attached Microsoft Word file. Include your name,
address, e-mail, telephone number and a word count with every
submission, in both your e-mail and in the attached file. We also
accept queries by postal mail. No phone queries, please! We’re busy putting out a magazine! Please allow up
to an eternity for a response, but feel free to bug us along the
way—e-mail is best. A SASE must accompany all material if it is to be
returned. We assume no responsibility for unsolicited manuscripts,
photographs or other material or for loss due to postal negligence,
natural disasters or dogs carrying envelopes off to parts unknown.
We look at manuscripts on speculation.
Make your ideas unique. Think creatively. Stories should be original,
though not outlandish. Remember, we don't know exactly what we're
looking for--if we did, we'd simply assign it or write it ourselves.
Show us something we haven't seen.
Features:
Paddler publishes 2-3 features per issue. Features should be between
2,000 and 3,000 words. Original, high-quality photos must be available.
Please, no boring "Me and Joe" Stories, and make sure your cliché filter is turned on before you start writing.
Lead-In Section: timely news, exciting
developments, or humorous happenings relating to the paddling community.
Stories must be lively and newsworthy. Query first. (150-800 words)
Book and Video Reviews: Current reviews
of interest to a large number of Paddlers. Query first. (300-400 words)
Earth Matters: Issues related to the paddling
environment, from dam updates to pollution and access issues. This is
not a forum for rants; we welcome hard-hitting stories, but they must
be well-researched and objective. (400-800 words)
Opus: 600-700 words. This is a light- or heavy-hearted, regularly running column. It can be about anything related to paddling. Doesn’t have to be about a paddling trip. Make us laugh, cry, think.
In Person: Profiles of unique
individuals involved in the sport. Could be a “famous” or not-so-famous paddler. (400-800 words)
Traveling Section: Mostly places to paddle, plain
and simple. We often run many small blurbs of paddling places in a particular region (Alaskan sea kayaking, Colorado whitewater, for example. These are about 200 words each. Follow this format: A lead paragraph or two; When to Go (Time of Year); Time: (3-4 days, for example); Local Persuasion (beta from a local expert, guide, writer, etc.). Submissions should include photos. My Trip: This is a 600- to 800-word column about a particular trip one has taken. Tip: Like Opus, make us think, make us laugh, make us cry, andmake us want to go there. Good photos a must, including one of yourself. We occasionally run stories about traveling tips, too.
Know How: Any how-to piece related to paddling, such as a skill, gear maintenance, or fitness.
Technique: A "how-to" forum in which
experts share their paddling knowledge, from playboating techniques to
backcountry safety. Query first with paddling resume. (400 words)
Body Shop: Articles that are related to health (diet, for example) and fitness (fitness training, avoiding injuries, treating injuries, etc.) 500-1000 words.
Address all submissions to the appropriate department and send to
Paddler
Magazine/Paddlesport Publishing, 12040 98th Ave. NE, Suite 205,
Kirkland,
WA 98034. Phone: (425)814-4140, Phone: (425)483-0220 or email to Mike(at)paddlermagazine(dot)com.
Paddler pays 25 to 35 cents per published word 30-45 days after
publication. Rates are based on the experience of the writer and the
amount of work we put into the piece. We reserve the right to
substantially edit all submissions, and we frequently do. Letters to
the Editor ("Eddylines") are unpaid, and may be edited for brevity,
clarity, and grammar. Paddler buys First North American Serial Rights
and One-Time Electronic Rights. (Stories used in the magazine may also
be published on www.paddlermagazine.com.) All subsequent rights revert
back to the author.
Address all submissions to the appropriate department and send to
Paddler
Magazine/Paddlesport Publishing, 12040 98th Ave. NE, Suite 205,
Kirkland,
WA 98034. Phone: (425)814-4140, Phone: (425)483-0220 or email to Mike(at)paddlermagazine(dot)com.
To take photographs means to
recognize--simultaneously and within a fraction of a second--both the
fact itself and the rigorous organization of visually perceived forms
that give it meaning. It is putting one's head, one's eye and one's
heart on the same axis.
--Henri Cartier-Bresson
Photo submissions may be either digital images or transparencies.
Digital submissions should be accompanied by a printed proof sheet. Embedded metadata is also useful.
Especially when sending transparencies, please edit your submission; if you send us 300 nearly identical images
we're not going to look at all of them, so send only your best work. Digital images must be available at
300 dpi at publication size. If you send smaller files for review,
please be prepared to send high-resolution files on short notice.
E-mail art(at)paddlermagazine(dot)com.
Editorial photos must be technically excellent. We're looking for unique and
creative photographs that support the story for which they are taken.
Avoid clichés and obviously posed images. Also, paddlers shown using improper technique or without appropriate safety equipment (PFDs for all paddlers, helmets for whitewater, etc.) will generally not be considered.
Photos for the "Focus" section can be scenic or action, but
they must be unique and they must be exceptional.
Photos for the "Runout" page should be humorous and original, and
they must be of publishable quality. Feel free to suggest captions. We prefer
high-resolution digital images or slides.
Include your name, address, phone number or e-mail on each image. We
give one photo credit per image and pay 30 days after publication.
Please allow eight weeks for return of photos.
Our photo rates are: $200-$300 for cover; $150-200 for a two-page
spread; $100-$150 for full page; $75-$100 for a half-page;
$50-$75 for quarter page or smaller. Paddler buys First North American
Serial Rights and One-Time Electronic Rights. (Photographs used in the
magazine may also be used on www.paddlermagazine.com.) All subsequent
rights revert back to the photographer.
Address all submissions to the appropriate department and send to
Paddler Magazine, 12040 98th Ave. NE, Suite 205, Kirkland, WA 98034. Phone: (425)814-4140, Phone: (425)483-0220 or e-mail to Mike(at)paddlermagazine(dot)com.
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