There are three parts to these writers' guidelines:
**Pitching Advocate travel pieces (this is the next section and includes open assignments!)
**Pitching OutTraveler.com pieces (this follows the Advocate section)
**Becoming a correspondent (this is at the bottom so scroll, baby, scroll!)
PITCHING FOR ADVOCATE TRAVEL
I oversee the travel section in our sister magazine Advocate
Included in this 6 to 10-page section are four sections: Travel Advocate (what's new, hot and happening); 'big picture' (what we are talking about right now); 'unconventional travel' (a weekend planner for a gay business person taking a couple of extra days); 'vantage point' (an essay and a round up related to that essay).
Big picture
Our first 'big picture' is a pictorial look at the new JetBlue terminal at JFK. We are considering the new Standard Hotel and the Highline in NYC. These are big, visually compelling items that would make a great pictorial spread in the magazine. What other cool, major, travel-related stories of interest can you suggest? I can send samples in PDF format.
Unconventional travel
Some of the business cities we are covering include Atlanta, San Diego, New Orleans, Berlin and more. We have an example we can send you on New Orleans. The intro is about 300 words the remainder (900 words) includes 200 word side bar, a local's 'insider tip' and about 700 words of meat. Basically it's where to stay, eat, play/meet but there's a business angle to it. I can send samples in PDF format.
Vantage Point
Our packages run from 'top gay ski weeks' to 'Mediterranean hot spots.' Each one includes an essay that relates to the theme. The essay is first person, highly personal and experiential, loaded with specific details creating a sense of the atmospherics of the experience. The essay's around 500 words, the package about 200. An example is 'Why I love gay skiing' and a round up of upcoming gay ski weeks). Click here to see the online version of this piece. I can send samples in PDF format.
Pitches that get my attention have a definite interesting angle. They have also been researched and include a detailed description of the story idea, format, style, goal and angle.
THE ADVOCATE TRAVEL SECTION NEEDS WRITERS …
Please note the following is subject to change. Feel free to throw your hat in for any of the following pieces that are not assigned. You may also suggest topics not here that you think would be a good fit for the section. Tentative and subject to change
PITCHING FOR ONLINE TRAVEL CONTENT: MAKE IT HARD FOR ME TO SAY NO
Include compelling reasons why I should assign the story -- the angle plays an important role here. Is it timely; does it reflect or, better, anticipate current trends? Know what we've covered recently and know what we cover in general as well as the various styles we use. Please don’t simply say: I’m going to Paris, do you need anything? Is it better for OutTraveler.com or our blog, GPS.OutTraveler.com? Get familiar with the types of stories on both before pitching, in terms of voice, style, length, timeliness and the like.
ATTENTION WRITERS! CORRESPONDENT PROGRAM
A really good way of breaking into our team of writers is to become our correspondent. This position is unpaid but it allows you a voice and the opportunity to submit pieces to us. We are looking for correspondents from all over the world. If you are interested in this, please send an email with subject line "Correspondent program" to editor@outtraveler.com.
Contacts:
Nikko Lencek-Inagaki: outtraveler@gmail.com
Joseph Alexiou: outtraveler@earthlink.net
Send your ideas for pieces/events/etc. to write about to Nikko or Joseph at least a week in advance if they are time-sensitive. The more time-sensitive, the earlier you should suggest it so there is plenty of time to write and edit your pieces.
Word Count: 100 - 250 (somewhat flexible)
SOURCE
This blog is no longer updated. Please instead visit Writers For Diversity for new opportunities for women/ LGBT writers and writers of color. Thank you.
