NEWSPAPERS
VS MAGAZINES
Newspaper travel editors are overworked and go through lots of material. North American papers often rely on wire service copy supplemented by a few freelance or in-house writers. They want to see completed pieces (and if you have photos tell them so). It is usually fine to send pieces that have appeared in non-competing markets (see the section on self-syndicating for more about this). Many particularly like pieces about places relatively close to home.
UK newspapers are a little different. They often want First World Rights. That doesn't mean they want to publish in the first world (but the third world is all yours), that means the piece must not have appeared anywhere else. In contrast, even the pickiest North American papers often only ask for first North American Rights. For more on rights, see that section of this website.
Magazines want to see pitch letters. They have more time and want to be more involved in the writing process. If you are approaching a magazine for the first time, send in ideas for their shorter 'Front Of the Book' (F.O.B.)and 'Back Of the Book' (B.O.B.) sections (the first and last sections of the magazine). Of course, read the magazine carefully first.
Also remember that there is a lot of room for a 'travel' piece in non-travel magazines and sections of the newspaper (i.e. road trip through Italy can work in the automotive section). Diversify.
In general, newspapers pay much less than magazines. So, to earn as much from newspapers as from magazines, you need to spend a lot of time trying to resell. But newspapers also take a lot less rewriting. So it's a bit of a trade-off.
Writing pitch (also called 'query') letters is an art unto itself. You are on your own for that one.
In general, newspapers pay much less than magazines. So, to earn as much from newspapers as from magazines, you need to spend a lot of time trying to resell. But newspapers also take a lot less rewriting. So it's a bit of a trade-off.
• 10 Ways To Piss Off An Editor
• 10 Ways To Annoy A Freelancer
• Random Advice from Professionals
• Self-Syndicating, The Holy Grail
• On The Road E-Practicalities
• All-Purpose Bad Travel Story
