Freelance writing?

[~z]

I have noticed a few here who do a bit of writing for some of the outdoor magazines. I would address this as a PM to those who do, but figure there may be others who just don’t advertise the fact.

I enjoy the time spent in the great out of doors and often times take the time to tell the tale, regardless of the fruit it may produce. I come from a long line of story tellers and various long winded type and received praise for my method of stringing words together from friends and listeners. I would like to share on a broader scale; I have no aspirations for becoming some great outdoor journalist, just interested in spinning some yarns.

For those of you who do write, how does one go about getting ones boot in the door for some “sometimes” work? Thanks, feel free to drop me an email if needed.
~z

 

[MCgunner]

If you have regional Zines in your area, submit articles or request info on submissions. The net has really made that easy. They usually take MS Word format.

I have written for two regional motorcycle magazines in the Texas area, was racing/sportbike editor of Thunder Roads Texas until recently, just getting in the door as you say. I'd written five or six articles which got published in Ride Texas/formerly Texmoto before that. I'm supposed to start writing for a new print Zine, but I've not yet seen it nor any pay info, LOL. Every dollar counts, even if it ain't much. I've got an article I need to finish and you'll find my articles at http://www.2wheelpassport.com/ , the new on line site. That's me on the 157 bike in the front page pic. My name is Jack Giesecke and all the articles I wrote for Thunder Roads are at that site. Not sure how the copyright thing works. But, hey, I didn't put 'em there.

I've thought about outdoor writing, but it's a lot more competitive. I've raced motorcycles for most of my life, started in high school, have been to the professional level in AMA road racing and race flat track. I have the resume to get me into the bike Zines, but I'm just another hunter with a Wildlife and Fisheries degree far as outdoor stuff goes. I have a friend who's a nature photographer and hunts ducks with me. We where going to shoot some shots and I was going to do an article up about Guadelupe Delta WMA public hunting and submit it to Texas Parks and Wildlife magazine, but it never got done.

You can see Jim's work at http://www.jameshersey.com . He's a fantastic photographer.

 

[birddog]

It is competetive, but not impossible to break into. Write what you know, write what you love. Send clean, mistake-free copy in to editors and hope for the best. I've written for outdoor magazines since 1989, but have never had an article assigned to me. It's all freelance work. I think that's the way to go. Sitting around waiting for an assignment will leave you...well...sitting around waiting for an assignment. Sure, try local or regional magazines, but don't be afraid to approach the bigger guys, too. Right now, the market seems down and it appears that magazines are using a lot of what they have in stock, rather than buying a whole lot of new stuff. Still, with enough persistence, you'll get your stuff read.

Good luck.

 

[ACP230]

Besides regional magazines, it might be possible to write an outdoors column for a weekly, or daily paper in your area. The pay is generally poor, but you'd get to work on your writing skills and get stuff published.

Regional magazines are a good place to try. Some use a lot of material, others are harder to get into. If your library carries them, take a look at a year, or more, of back issues. That'll give you some idea of what they publish. Be aware that magazines are working on acquiring stories for late summer or fall issues now. Writing ahead of the current season is a good idea.

If your library carries the Writer's Market /I] books, take a look at the outdoor magazines listed there. I prefer to submit articles to magazines that pay on acceptance. That is the kind of thing listed in WM.

Be willing to cut your stories. Sometimes 750 words work better than 1100. Sometimes it's because of space available. Sometimes it's just that shorter pieces can mean a better focus.

Good luck.

 

[JackOfAllTradesMasterAtNone]

I don't freelance. I just write because I like to. -You mean there's money to be had? I don't think I'm good enough to be published, so I just write stories and post them on my website. We all have memories with friends, dads and sons, mothers and daughters. Those should be brought to life in the form of the written word. As I get time, I am compiling many of those, many with my dad in the field, as memories so that my kids and thier kids can experience just a little of the good times I've had.

http://www.cnw.com/~hotrod/Adventures/PistolsAndElk.htm

http://www.cnw.com/~hotrod/Adventures/YellowEye.htm

http://www.cnw.com/~hotrod/Adventures/Skunk.htm

http://www.cnw.com/~hotrod/Adventures/Tractor.htm

http://www.cnw.com/~hotrod/Adventures/BearSuccess.htm

http://www.cnw.com/~hotrod/Adventures/PokerRunMarch2004.htm

-Steve

 

[Subby]

Fur, Fish, & Game usually has a couple of plain old stories. You might want to look into that. Pennsylvania Game News also runs huntin' stories, you might have a similar mag where you're at. Good luck.

Sub

 

[ACP230]

So, did you sell anything yet?

 

[~z]

ACP, me? No, I have not even tried yet, I'm bound to get around to it sooner or later. At the moment work, hunting, and fishing are keeping me pretty buisy, (in no perticular order) but soon I'll submit something to somewhere. Thanks to all that offered advice.
~z