SUBJECT MATTER—Our emphasis is on saltwater fishing in Florida, both inshore and offshore, with added coverage of the state’s freshwater fishing and hunting. Additional material is used periodically on Florida camping, diving, environmental topics and fishing adventures in The Bahamas, the Caribbean or Latin America. Some offbeat material is published—including history and fiction—but such topics require unusually entertaining or interesting material and strong writing. We normally don’t cover boat racing, sailing, adventure narratives and “celebrity” or “hero” articles in which an individual is the story’s primary focus.
STYLE—Features lean heavily on “how-to” and “where-to,” written in a relaxed, anecdotal style in which first-person experience is used to illustrate information that will entertain and benefit the reader. A submission that makes the readers want to “go there and do that” stands the best chance of acceptance. A review of some past issues will illustrate the preferred writing style.
LENGTH—Features should run 1,500 to 2,000 words. Short sidebars are often used to provide additional detail and their word count should be included in the total. FS Seminar how-to articles run 500 to 800 words.
PHOTOGRAPHY—Manuscripts must be accompanied by high resolution digital photos (at least 2 MB JPEG, TIFF or RAW). No color correction, Photoshop work or other doctoring of images, please. A suitable selection for a fishing feature would include scenics of anglers fishing, catch shots, anglers fighting with fish and close-ups of the catch and lures or baits. Photos should emphasize action and movement, be correctly lighted and sharply focused. An indexed caption sheet must be written. Vertical format cover photo submissions are also sought, and the magazine occasionally purchases images for supplemental inside use; discuss with Art Director. Simultaneous submissions to other magazines or Web sites are not accepted.
SUBMISSION FORMAT—Do not e-mail us your manuscript or photos. For each assignment, send by conventional mail one complete package, with manuscript and all supporting photos, on a single Compact Disc (CD). Be sure to label the CD with your name and the title of the article. Manuscript must be in PC-compatible format, preferably Word for Windows Document (.doc). In addition, hard copy must be included, with pages numbered and text double-spaced. A cover letter containing the story’s key contacts and their telephone numbers is helpful.
RATES
- Feature Articles: $500 for a full-length feature package that includes acceptable photography
- FS Seminars: $200 for copy and photos
- Photographs: Cover $750
- Spread $250
- Full Page $120
- Small $60
QUERY LETTERS—Send a written query to the editor before mailing a submission. A query letter or e-mail should provide details about the proposed article(s), describe photography that will accompany the manuscript, suggest the best time of year to publish it and provide a date when the package will be delivered to the editors. Sample photography (small format JPEG) is encouraged. A go-ahead response from the editors does not constitute an assignment for which a kill fee will be paid in the event of rejection.
LOST OR DAMAGED SUBMISSIONS—Contributor assumes all risk and liability for loss of or damage to editorial submissions, including but not limited to photographs, transparencies and electronic storage devices, incurred during regular publishing practices, including but not limited to scanning, handling and shipping.
TERMS & CONDITIONS—Final acceptance and payment may be affected by style, photographic support, extent of editing necessary and timely completion. Author acts as an independent freelance contractor and warrants that submission is original, not previously published and not in violation of any laws. Unless otherwise explicitly agreed, payment covers all rights, including exclusive print, electronic or other use by the Magazine or related entities involving first use and subsequent publication for one year thereafter. The provider's rights refer to the material as originally submitted. After one year the Magazine and Author share publishing rights to the material. rights to the material.
CONTACTS
Editor: Jeff Weakley
Florida Sportsman Magazine/FSCN
2700 S. Kanner Hwy.
Stuart, FL 34994
phone 772-219-7400
fax 772-219-6900
Contact Information:
For inquiries: jeff@floridasportsman.com
For submissions: jeff@floridasportsman.com
Website: http://www.floridasportsman.com/
