Magazine Markets to Share Your Passion With the World

by Sharon Pettis

Do you have a flair for faux finishes? Or maybe you are a master of the Macintosh? Whatever your passion is, chances are there is a magazine out there just waiting for your query. And if you can master the “how-to” article format (aka Service Journalism), you can really clean up in this category.

Today I've rounded up ten markets to share your passion with the world. I've hand-picked some mainstream hobbies as well as some off-beat ones. So enjoy your research and knock-em-dead with your expertise!

DECORATIVE ARTIST'S WORKBOOK
F&W Publications, Inc.
4700 E. Galbraith Rd.
Cincinnati OH 45236
Phone: (513)531-2690, ext. 1461
E-Mail: dawedit@fwpubs.com
Website: www.decorativeartist.com
Contact: Anne Hevener, editor

While writing may be your job, suppose painting is your true passion. This magazine's audience includes those looking for new textures for faux finishing, and unique ways to implement other painting techniques on all types of textures. They are in need of well-written, step-by-step how-to pieces with photos.

Pays on acceptance. Buys First North American serial rights
Submit seasonal material 8 months in advance. Accepts queries by Mail and E-mail. Include slides or photos of works in progress, as well as the finished piece. Expect a response in 2 weeks. Sample copy for $8 and 9x12 SAE with 5 first-class stamps. Article length: 1,200–1,800 words. Pays 15-25¢/word.

GARDENING HOW-TO
North American Media Group
12301 Whitewater Dr.
Minnetonka MN 55343
Phone: (952)988-7474
Fax: (952)936-9333
E-Mail: mpestel@namginc.com
Website: www.gardeningclub.com
Contact: Mary Pestel, associate editor

Bimonthly publication for members of the National Home Gardening Club in Minnetonka, Minnesota. Readers are intermediate- to advanced-level home gardeners, so be sure that your information is a little more intriguing than how to keep your family dog away from the tomato patch. Also include what kind of climates the information will work for.

Pays on acceptance. Publishes manuscript 4 months after acceptance, with a lead time of 6 months. Buys One-time rights. Query via Mail or E-mail with published clips. Guidelines by e-mail. Length: 1,000–2,000 words. Pays $200-1,000, and sometimes covers expenses.

LAPTOP
Bedford Communications
1410 Broadway
21st Floor
New York NY 10018
Phone: (212)807-8220
E-Mail: jmckenna@bedfordmags.com
Website: www.bedfordmags.com
Contact: Jessica McKenna, managing editor

The mobile computing source; covers Laptops, PDAs, peripherals, etc. They focus on technology for small office, and their primary readers are technology buyers (THINK service journalism such as simple hardware installs and low-cost product reviews ).

Pays on publication, and publishes manuscript 3 months after acceptance. Buys all rights
Query via E-mail with resume and technology clips. Except a response in 4 months. Article Length: 300–3,500 words, pays $150-1,250. Pays expenses sometimes.

MACADDICT
Imagine Media
150 North Hill Dr.
Brisbane CA 94005
Phone: (415)468-4684
Fax: (415)468-4686
E-Mail: editor@macaddict.com
Website: www.macaddict.com
Contact: Rik Myslewski, editor-in-chief
Niko Coucouvanis, online editor (for web submissions)
Frequency: Monthly

You know who you are. You proudly display the Apple logo on the bumper of your car and shudder at the word “Microsoft.” If you rebuild your desktop weekly and can give me 10 reasons why you still haven't upgraded to OSX, this magazine is dying for your expertise! Readers are Mac users of all levels.

Pays on publication, and publishes manuscript 3 months after acceptance. Buys all rights
Editorial lead time 3 months. Accepts queries via E-mail, and include screenshots. Also send info on your area of expertise to try for winning a product review assignment. Expect a response in 1 month. Feature Length: 250–7,500 words. Pays $50-2,500.Reviews are assigned, but “how-to's” are always welcome. For fillers, Length: 50–500 words, and pay is $25 –200 .

MEMORY MAKERS
The First Source for Scrapbooking Ideas
Satellite Press
12365 Huron St.
Suite 500
Denver CO 80234
Phone: (303)452-1968
Fax: (303)452-2164
E-Mail: editorial@memorymakersmagazine.com
Website: www.memorymakersmagazine.com
Contact: Deborah Mock, editor.
Format: Magazine published 8 times/year

Some people like to take their photo albums a step further. You know who you are. Whether you enjoy photo journaling or scrapbooking, this is the place to let others know how you did it. Do NOT try the “my first scrapbook” essay here. Think thematically (hope that's a word). Maybe a unique book for your wedding, kid's graduation, etc. Or a step-by-step article on how you overcame an obstacle with your scrapbook (no time to work on it).

Pays on project completion. Publishes manuscript 6 months after acceptance. Buys First rights
Editorial lead time 6 months. Accepts queries by Mail or E-mail. Submission method: Query with published clips Length: 1,000–1,500 words. Pays $500-750, $200–350 for columns.

ORGANIC GARDENING
Rodale
33 E. Minor St.
Emmaus PA 18098
Phone: (610)967-8363
Fax: (610)967-7722
E-Mail: og@rodale.com
Website: www.organicgardening.com
Contact: Willi Evans, editorial assistant
Frequency: Bimonthly

If you pick your salad from your backyard and use milk without BGH, this is the market for you. Covers gardening without chemicals, and also includes ecological (garden-related) topics such as soil-building and pest control.

Pays after acceptance, but before publication. Buys all rights Accepts queries by Mail Responds in 3 months to queries. Pays up to $1/word.

PHOTO TECHNIQUES
Preston Publications, Inc.
6600 W. Touhy Ave.
Niles IL 60714
Phone: (847)647-2900
Fax: (847)647-1155
E-Mail: jwhite@phototechmag.com
Website: www.phototechmag.com
Editor: Joe White.

Readers of this magazine are advanced amateur photographers and developers. Covers photochemistry, lighting, optics, processing, and printing, Zone System, digital imaging/scanning/printing, special effects, sensitometry, etc. .

Pays within 3 weeks of publication. Publishes manuscript 8 months after acceptance. Buys One-time rights Guidelines online. Send complete manuscript (see guidelines for requirements).

Sharon Pettis is a freelance writer and graphic designer in Northern Virginia. She has written a variety of articles for the web, and is a nonfiction slush pile reader for Writer Online. She specializes in customized marketing communications solutions for small business. Email her at slpettis@yahoo.com or visit her website at www.geocities.com/slpettis.