| ........... | Sacramento Fit Writers Guidelines
The mark of a really great writer is that he or she gives expression to what the masses of mankind think or feel without knowing it. The mediocre writer simply writes what everyone would have said. --G.C. Lichtenberg, 1799 So you want to write for Sacramento Fit Magazine? Great. We'd love to have you. Our writer's guidelines will help you get started. However, we only except queries from writers who have read our guidelines and the example articles in their entirety. Otherwise, you may submit a query that does not meet our requirements. And unfortunately, any queries that do not meet our requirements will be immediately discarded. Magazine Description Sacramento Fit Magazine (SFM) is a health and fitness magazine covering the Sacramento Metropolitan area for people who crave an active and healthy life. SFM covers topics on nutrition, fitness training, healthy living, local athletes, regional sporting events, product reviews, the latest gear, as well as a comprehensive calendar of local activities and events. Published bi-monthly, SFM also features regular articles dedicated to Sacramento style and life, because being fit means more than just working out, it means feeling and looking your best. Mission SFM’s mission is to inform, inspire, educate and entertain a growing base of fitness-conscious people of all levels who crave an active, well-balanced, healthy life. Audience SFM targets "fit consumers", ages 25-50, who are defined as the 50 million adult Americans who exercise at least three times a week and participate in at least one sport every chance they get. SFM's audience is style-oriented, health-conscious, educated and highly concerned with self-image. Distribution SFM is a free magazine that will be widely distributed at hundreds of locations throughout Sacramento and the greater metropolitan area. Locations include: health clubs, sporting goods stores, races/events, health food stores, restaurants, medical offices, coffee shops, colleges, bookstores, libraries and other selected locations. What kind of contributors are we looking for? Writers come in all ages, types and backgrounds. Some make their living as writers; others are teachers, business owners or health professionals. More important than journalism experience is knowing a subject very well and being able to write clearly about it. Good candidates include degreed health professionals and/or freelance writers who have experience writing health and fitness-related articles for other publications. What kind of articles are we looking for? Make your ideas unique. Think creatively. Stories should be original, though not outlandish. Remember, we don't know exactly what we're looking for--if we did, we'd simply assign it or write it ourselves. Show us something we haven't seen. And please--no boring "How aerobics is good for you" type stories, and make sure your cliché filter is turned on before you start writing. What kind of articles are we NOT looking for? SFM does not accept polemics, fiction or poetry. This is not a forum for rants; we welcome hard-hitting stories, but they must be well-researched and objective. SFM does not accept as “editorial” articles that profile and promote a specific business or service. (Please call our advertising department for rates and advertising information.) SFM does not accept anecdotal stories or stories that are written in the first person. SFM does not accept stories on keeping in shape while pregnant and getting in shape after childbirth. ________________________________________________________________________ GETTING STARTED: WRITING DEPARTMENTS AND FEATURE ARTICLES FOR SFM Feature Article Examples SFM publishes two or three features per issue that are drawn from our six categories, including one that is the cover story. The feature articles are usually assigned at a length of 1,500 to 2,500 words, and the contributor is required to produce the piece at or near the assigned length. However, if in putting the piece together it appears the length should be significantly shorter or longer, the contributor must consult with the editor before submitting the finished piece to see if the different length can be accommodated. See example feature articles below:
Successful Features Should:
Successful Features Should Not:
The following six categories (Fitness, Health, Diet, Sport, Style and Life) and their respective departments make up SFM. Department Articles
SFM department articles run 200 to 600 words. In every issue, we run one to four departments under each category: fitness, health, diet, sport, style and life. Topics underlined are always “regional ” in scope (see department topics below):
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STYLE GUIDELINES
QUERIES
Submission of Queries
We accept queries submitted through our online query form (see links below.) The query should describe in two or three paragraphs your idea, the article’s proposed length and scope, why SFM readers would find the material interesting, and what qualifies you to write about it. The more specific and original the query, the more likely we will want to work with you! Contributors should expect a response within two weeks. However, if you have not received a reply within that time, please e-mail us to confirm that we received your submission. Queries will not be accepted by telephone, fax or U.S. postal mail. Please click on one of the links below to submit a query for a department or feature article. Before submitting a query, you must be sure to read through the SFM example articles so that you can get aquainted with the article requirments. Lastely, you can review the SFM editorial calendar.
Note: Proof your work thoroughly! Typographical and grammatical errors distract the reader. Such errors may disqualify your submission, and will certainly make a less-than-favorable impression on our editors. We may instantly reject any submission containing multiple spelling or grammar errors. Assignments SFM will provide detailed guidelines for a specific assignment, such as what elements the featured article or department should include, the expected length, and the contributor's responsibility for providing contact information for people or places to be photographed, etc. Any assigned articles submitted to SFM must be original, previously unpublished work that is not currently under consideration by any other publication. Acceptance of Assignment If your work is accepted for publication, you can expect to participate in a collaborative editing process until consensus on a final draft is reached between you and the editor. On average, be prepared to take your submission through two to three edits or rewrites over the course of a month.
________________________________________________________________________ PAYMENT & RIGHTS SFM pays $250 for feature articles and $50 for department articles. SFM pays within 30 days of publication, not on acceptance. About the rights we buy SFM purchases all First North American Serial Rights, First-exclusive electronic rights and Non-exclusive archival rights. About kill fees We do not pay kill fees. ________________________________________________________________________ GUIDELINES FOR PHOTOGRAPHS
SFM encourages contributors to submit photos that support the stories they write. Photos can be scenic or action, but they must be unique and they must be exceptional. Compensation:
CAPTION GUIDELINES
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Contact Information
Sacramento Fit Magazine P.O. Box 975 Sacramento, CA 95628 916-862-5333 |
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