Freelance writing, Turkey Country, topics: outdoors/ wildlife conservation/ nature, pays $350-$550 for features

The NWTF publishes three magazines -- Turkey Country for our adult members, JAKES Magazine for members 12 and younger and Xtreme JAKES eZine for our teen members.

Articles submitted for publication fulfill the promise of the author's query and, more importantly, the editor's assignment. Familiarize yourself with our publications to ensure your material is compatible with the magazine's format or needs. Articles must be free of spelling errors, grammatically correct and accurate.

Failure to follow these guidelines may result in the rejection of your manuscript or photographs.

We purchase first North American serial rights, as well as Web rights, to articles. All written material should be original and unpublished and must consist of accurate information that appeals to our special-interest readership. While most feature stories deal with non-fiction subjects, we do accept fiction that contributes to the education, enlightenment or entertainment of our readers. We pay upon publication. Kill fees are 20 percent of contracted payment.

Our readers enjoy articles that are easy to read. Feature stories are typically supplemented with sidebars, bulleted lists, subheads, pull quotes and other graphic-friendly elements.

Queries

Written queries may be submitted via conventional or electronic mail and must fully explain a proposed article and its main points. Queries should include ideas for potential graphic aids and sidebars. Because queries exemplify an author's writing talent, verbal queries are not acceptable.

Queries allow us to assign specific articles according to our needs. Even though you may have a fantastic article idea, we may have recently published a similar story or have one in our files.

We typically respond to queries within 15 business days. However, we may ask to hold certain queries for review at a later date. An editor will contact you with assignment specifications if your idea is accepted, or a rejection if it is not. Provide e-mail (preferred), telephone or other contact information with each query.

Turkey Country

Turkey Country is the flagship publication of the NWTF, and goes to all of its adult members. It is published bi-monthly with issues in January/February, March/April, May/June, July/August, September/October and November/December.

While limited use of the author's experience is acceptable, articles should feature advice from experts and not rely too heavily on biological terms to emphasize points. Preference centers on anecdotes about people besides the author.

Send individual queries; no laundry lists.

Articles should:

* Appeal to a national readership
* Be meticulously researched
* Be accurate; dates, figures and the names and titles of agencies and people involved must be correct
* Provide documentation and contact information for all sources, including people interviewed and quoted within the story

Turkey Country works four months to a year ahead of each issue. Most feature story material is planned a year in advance.

Features run 1,000 to 1,200 words and range $350 to $550 in payment. Departments run 500 to 1,000 words and range $250 to $350 in payment. Note: We purchase both First North American Serial Rights for print and for electronic usage on turkeycountrymagazine.com, which includes a digital version of the magazine.

Turkey Country is divided into six sections, each with specific content for our readers:

* Conservation
* Cause & Effect
* The Caller
* Outreach & Education
* On the Hunt
* Get in the Game

Conservation

This section is devoted to wildlife conservation on a national scope, specifically the NWTF's involvement. It includes features, as well as two departments open for freelance contribution: Sweat Equity, which covers projects and programs that benefit wildlife habitat, and Wildlife Connections that shows how the work of state agencies and NWTF staff and volunteers benefits other species (game and non-game) besides the wild turkey.

The NWTF has expert biologists who are available for interview.

Cause & Effect

This section contains a feature that covers issues that affect sportsmen and women, from gun rights to conservation hot topics and much more in between. It also is home to a regular department titled NWTF Track Stars, which tells the story of individuals (both notable and everyday) and their involvement in the outdoors and the NWTF.

The Caller

The primary purpose of The Caller is twofold: to communicate to the membership news related to hunting, wildlife habitat management and the programs available to them through the national office of the NWTF; and to give the membership an outlet to publicize the work of local chapters.

NWTF members are encouraged to submit information, with photos, about their chapter to The Caller. No payment is issued for publication unless noted by editor.

Outreach & Education

Although this section is divided into subcategories meant for specific portions of the NWTF membership, content should be informative and entertaining for all Turkey Country readers.

Note: We purchase both print rights and for electronic usage on turkeycountrymagazine.com, which includes a digital version of the magazine. Additional usage on the Web site, other than in the digital magazine, will be negotiated.

Editorial staff:

Editor: Karen Lee klee@nwtf.net
Managing Editor: Gregg Powers gpowers@nwtf.net
Senior Editor: P.J. Perea pperea@nwtf.net
Photo Editor: Matt Lindler mlindler@nwtf.net
Publishing Assistant: Michelle Jones mjones@nwtf.net

More information here.