10 Markets for Pet Lover’s
by Karri Watson
More than 63 million U.S. households own pets according to a 2001 survey by the American Pet Products Manufacturer’s Association. As a result, the pet magazine market has a huge audience to satisfy. This gives pet owning (or in my case pet owned, I have a cat) writers an opportunity to use their experiences as a starting point for articles. While these markets generally do not want “My first dog” stories, they do want articles that the average pet owner would like to read. Use the particular challenges you have faced with your chosen animal to build on. In my case, my cat has heart disease so the obstacles we face from that could become an article.
The following markets include typical pets, exotics, work animals, and pure breeds to give all animal loving writers an equal opportunity to benefit from the unbreakable bond they share with their pet.
AKC GAZETTE
American Kennel Club
260 Madison Ave.
New York NY 10016
www.akc.org/love/gazet.cfm
Writer's guidelines for #10 SASE
Nonfiction needs:
General Interest
How-To
Humor
Interview/Profile
Photo Feature
Travel
dog art, training and canine performance sports
Does Not Want: No poetry, tributes to individual dogs or fiction.
Length: 1,000–3,000 words.
Pays $300-500.
Photo contest guidelines for #10 SASE.
Pays $50-200/photo
Fiction:
Annual short fiction contest only. Guidelines for #10 SASE.
"Contributors should be involved in the dog fancy or expert in area they write about (veterinary, showing, field trialing, obedience training, dogs in legislation, dog art or history or literature). Author must be a credible expert or be able to interview and quote the experts. Veterinary articles must be written by or with veterinarians. Humorous features or personal experiences relative to purebred dogs that have broader applications. For features generally, know the subject thoroughly and be conversant with jargon peculiar to the sport of dogs."
THE BARK
The Modern Dog Culture
The Bark
2810 Eighth
Berkeley CA 94710
www.thebark.com
Accepts queries by Mail
Nonfiction needs:
Book excerpts
Essays
Exposé
Historical
How-To
Humor
Interview/Profile
New Product
Opinion
Personal Experience
Travel
Nonfiction needs:
Special Issues: Upcoming special issues include dogs in the visual arts and dogs in literature.
Does Not Want: No "death of a dog" pieces.
Length: 600–1,700 words.
Pays $50-400.
State availability of photos with submission.
Columns open to freelancers: Health (holistic), 1,000 words; Training (nonaversive), 1,000 words; Behavior, 800 words.
Pays: $50–300 for columns.
Fiction needs:
Adventure
Humorous
Mystery
Novel Excerpts
Slice-of-life Vignettes
Does Not Want: No religious.
Submission method: Query
Length: 400–1,200 words.
Accepts novel excerpts
Poetry needs:
Avant-garde
Free Verse
Haiku
Light Verse
Traditional
Fillers Needs:
Anecdotes
Facts
Gags to be illustrated by cartoonist
Newsbreaks
Short Humor
Length: 100–600 words.
Pays: $25–150.
CAT FANCY
Cat Care for the Responsible Owner
Fancy Publications, Inc.
P.O. Box 6050
Mission Viejo CA 92690
www.catfancy.com
Nonfiction needs:
How-To
Humor
Photo Feature
behavior, health, lifestyle
Submission method: Query with published clips
Length: 1,000–2,000 words.
Pays $50-450.
Photos needs:
Seeking photos of happy, healthy, well-groomed cats and kittens in studio or indoor settings.
Photos Require:
Captions
Identification of subjects
Model Releases
Most of our columns are written by regular contributors who are recognized experts in their fields.
"No fiction or poetry. Please read recent issues to learn the kind of articles we want. Then, show us in your query how you can contribute something new and unique."
DOG FANCY
Fancy Publications, Inc.
P.O. Box 6050
Mission Viejo CA 92690-6050
www.dogfancy.com
Accepts queries by mail
Nonfiction needs:
Book excerpts
General Interest
How-To
Humor
Inspirational
Interview/Profile
New Product
Personal Experience
Photo Feature
Travel
Does Not Want: "No stories written from a dog's point of view."
Length: 850–1,500 words.
Pays $200-500.
State availability of photos with submission.
Offers no additional payment for photos accepted with ms.
Columns open to freelancers: Health and Medicine, 600-700 words; Training and Behavior, 800 words.
Submission method: Query by mail only.
Pays: $300–400 for columns.
"We're looking for the unique experience that enhances the dog/owner relationship--with the dog as the focus of the story, not the owner. Medical articles are assigned to veterinarians. Note that we write for a lay audience (nontechnical), but we do assume a certain level of intelligence. Read the magazine before making a pitch. Make sure your query is clear, concise, and relevant."
HOOF BEATS
United States Trotting Association
750 Michigan Ave.
Columbus OH 43215
"We cover all aspects of the sport--racing, breeding, selling, etc."
Nonfiction needs:
General Interest
Historical
Humor
Inspirational
Interview/Profile
New Product
Personal Experience
Photo Feature
horse care
Length: open
Pays $100-400.
State availability of photos with submission.
PET LIFE
Your Companion Animal Magazine
Magnolia Media Group
3451 Boston Ave.
Fort Worth TX 76116
www.petlifeweb.com.
Accepts queries via email
Writer’s guidelines via email
awilson@mmgweb.com
Nonfiction needs:
How-To
Humor
Inspirational
Interview/Profile
Personal Experience
Photo Feature
Technical (book reviews)
Does Not Want: "We are apolitical--although we will occasionally publish stories on the prevention of animal abuse. We focus on the human-animal bond."
Submission method: Query with published clips
Length: 200–1,500 words.
Pays $50-400.
State availability of photos with submission.
Columns open to freelancers: Celebrity Interviews (well-known stars who are pet owners); DogLife/CatLife (info from the experts); Vet Perspective (info on specific health issues); Odd Pets (pets other than dogs and cats).
Submission method: Query
Pays: $100–300 for columns.
Fillers needs:
Anecdotes
Facts
Newsbreaks
Pays: $50.
"Be familiar with the magazine. Be specific--what will the story say, who will you interview, suggest visuals. Be brief in your query. Always send a query--no unsolicited manuscripts accepted."
REPTILE & AMPHIBIAN HOBBYIST
T.F.H. Publications
One TFH Plaza
Neptune NJ 07753
Writer’s guidelines are free.
"Colorful, varied monthly covering reptiles and amphibians as pets aimed at beginning to intermediate hobbyists. Pet shop distribution. Writers must know their material, including scientific names, identification, general terrarium maintenance."
Nonfiction needs:
General Interest
Interview/Profile
Personal Experience
Photo Feature
Technical
Travel
Submission method: Query
Length: 1,500–2,000 words.
Pays $100-120.
Send photos with submission.
Offers $20/photo.
Columns open to freelancers: Herp People (profiles herp-related personalities); In Review (book reviews); Invertebrate Corner (terrarium invertebrates), all 1,500 words.
Submission method: Query
Pays: $75–100 for columns.
"Talk to the editor before sending anything. A short telephone conversation tells more about knowledge of subject matter than a simple query. I'll read anything, but it is very easy to detect an uninformed author. Very willing to polish articles from new writers."
TROPICAL FISH HOBBYIST MAGAZINE
The World's Most Widely Read Aquarium Monthly
TFH Publications, Inc.
One TFH Plaza
Neptune City NJ 07753
Accepts queries by email
Writer’s guidelines via email
editor@tfh.com
Nonfiction needs:
"We cover any aspect of aquarium science, aquaculture, and the tropical fish hobby. Our readership is diverse--from neophytes to mini reef specialists. We require well-researched, well-written, and factually accurate copy, preferably with photos."
Pays $100-250.
State availability of photos with submission.
"With few exceptions, all communication and submission must be electronic. We want factual, interesting, and relevant articles about the aquarium hobby written by people who are obviously knowledgeable. We publish an enormous variety of article types. Review several past issues to get an idea of the scope."
WILDLIFE ART
The Art Journal of the Natural World
Pothole Publications, Inc.
1428 E. Cliff Rd.
Burnsville MN 55337
P.O. Box 22439, Eagan MN 55122
www.wildlifeartmag.com
Accepts queries by mail
Nonfiction needs:
General Interest
Historical
Interview/Profile
Submission method: Query with published clips, include artwork samples.
Length: 800–5,000 words.
Pays $150-900.
Pays: $100–300 for columns.
Best way to break in is to offer concrete story ideas; new talent; a new unique twist of artistic excellence.
FIELD TRIAL MAGAZINE
Androscoggin Publishing, Inc.
P.O. Box 98
Milan NH 03588-0098
Accepts queries by mail, email and fax.
birddog@ncia.net
Fax: (603)449-2462
www.fielddog.com/ftm
Nonfiction needs:
Book excerpts
Essays
General Interest
Historical
How-To
Interview/Profile
Opinion
Personal Experience
Does Not Want: No hunting articles.
Submission method: Query
Length: 1,000–3,000 words.
Pays $100-300.
Send photos with submission.
Offers no additional payment for photos accepted with ms
Fiction that deals with bird dogs and field trials.
Fiction needs:
Submission method: Send complete manuscript
Length: 1,000–2,500 words.
Pays: $100–250 for fiction.
"Make sure you have correct and accurate information--we'll work with a writer who has good solid info even if the writing needs work."
Karri Watson lives and works with her angelic black cat, Tough Cuss. Her career is heartily encouraged by her boyfriend Stan. A writer of short stories, creative non-fiction, and poetry, she is also an avid -- some would say obsessive -- reader, weight trainer, and power yoga enthusiast. She is a member of the National Writers Association and the National Writers Union.
|
Articles 