Freelance writing, Texas Highways, pays $0.50 per word

WRITERS’ GUIDELINES

Texas Highways, the official travel magazine of Texas, encourages and inspires travel within the state by documenting Texas destinations for readers throughout the United States and around the globe. The monthly magazine, published by the Travel Information Division of the Texas Department of Transportation, connects with a loyal readership through its award-winning writing, design, and photography. The magazine’s Web site, www.texashighways.com, offers not only some of the magazine’s content but also unique “Web-only” content as well. The magazine reaches a circulation of approximately 225,000, with subscribers in every one of the United States and in more than 100 countries. Surveys explain that Texas Highways readers particularly enjoy coverage of Texas scenery, history, small towns, and out-of-the-way places. A significant percentage of Texas Highways’ feature articles and much of its photography originate with freelance contributors.

QUERY GUIDELINES:

1. Briefly describe your proposed feature with suggestions for how the travel angle will be developed. The magazine’s goal is to inspire travel through descriptive and evocative language that describes the experience of visiting a Texas destination. E-mail queries are preferred (letters05@texashighways.com) , and they should include details of how the story would be developed. Writers new to Texas Highways should include PDF files of previously published articles. In most cases, Texas Highways does not accept queries by telephone. Texas Highways rarely publishes poetry or fiction, and the staff is not responsible for unsolicited material.

2. Before you send a query, please search the magazine’s index at www.texashighways.com, or review the indexes found in each December issue to determine if (and how) your topic has been covered previously.

3. Texas Highways features destinations across Texas, including historical, cultural, and geographic aspects, but always emphasizing the travel experience. Lifestyle and human-interest can be part of a feature, but not the primary emphasis. Text should be meticulously researched. Anecdotes, historical references, and quotations are welcome additions.

4. Texas Highways purchases first North American serial rights, and may reproduce the work in the printed magazine and on the magazine’s Web site. The author warrants that the work is his or her original creation.

5. If querying by mail, include a stamped, self-addressed envelope. Even though responses are made as quickly as possible, such a response can require a month or more.

MANUSCRIPT GUIDELINES:

1. After we have a writer’s agreement with you, submit a typed, double-spaced text file, preferably by e-mail, in Word format. Length will vary, but will generally be 1,200 to 1,800 words. Please include a suggested photographic shot list.

2. Good research is imperative. Check and double-check facts, dates, spellings, directions, distances, heights, and telephone numbers. Ask individuals how to spell their names, and always confirm event details.

3. Your style and approach should be readable and well-informed. Write a strong lead and ending, using active constructions and strong verbs. Avoid the passive voice and “to be” verb forms. A cornerstone paragraph that offers an overview of your composition’s direction can be considered for one of the first three or four paragraphs. This paragraph will no only keep the writer on track, but also it will help the reader stay focused.

4. Include the names and phone numbers of all persons quoted or used as information. Check the spelling of all names in your story, and include a list of published sources, as well. Texas Highways fact-checks all aspects of every story. We need a telephone number where we can reach you.

5. If you find interesting illustrations on the subject such as old photographs, engravings, maps, or paintings, please make a note of what they are and where they can be found. Include copyright information with your submission.

6. If you write about a place, please send us the most recent descriptive literature. If you write about an event, send us the latest program.

7. Send information for the “Essentials” box with your manuscript. Refer to recent issues of the magazine for the format and type of facts needed.

8. Please submit a brief bio that relates to your story. The Texas Highways staff will edit and use with the article.

9. Please submit two or three title suggestions with your story. Typically, the revision process requires two steps: The first round to confirm the overall structure and flow of the story and the final round to polish verb choices, adjectives, and general copy editing.

RATES:

1.Texas Highways pays 50 cents per word on acceptance. After we accept your manuscript, we will ask you to send us an invoice. Once the invoice is approved, payment takes two to four weeks.

2. Please include your name, address, and telephone number on the front of your manuscript. A signed agreement must be on file in the magazine office before payment can be made.

More information here.