Archives for September 2009

Funny Times

From the Web Site:

First, thanks for thinking of us. We are always looking to expose our readers…. to hilarious new material. Everything we publish is funny, so please don’t send in something that isn’t. We only publish cartoons and funny stories. Cartoons should be “scannable” (good quality photocopies are fine) and stories should be about 500-700 words.

There is no limit to our scope and we cover just about everything that can be funny including politics, news, relationships, food, technology, pets, work, death, environmental issues, business, religion, seasonal events and everything else relating to the general human condition. Since we carry no advertising we don’t have an editorial calendar, but we have a lead-time of several months, e.g., December holiday material should be mailed for consideration in September. We only buy one-time reproduction rights and do not require exclusives; all other rights stay with the copyright holder. We pay $25-40 for cartoons based on reproduced size and $60 for stories. We pay upon publication. In addition to being paid, we also provide our published contributors with a complimentary Funny Times subscription and will swap website links.

Yes! Magazine

From the Web Site:

Overview

YES! Magazine documents how people are creating a more just, sustainable, and compassionate world. We welcome submissions that relate directly to this focus.

Each issue of YES! includes a series of articles focused on a theme—about solutions to a significant challenge facing our world—and a number of timely, non-theme articles. Our non-theme section provides ongoing coverage of issues like health, climate change, globalization, media reform, faith, democracy, economy and labor, social and racial justice, and peace building. For past examples, please see our back issues page.

Content

YES! is not interested in simply bemoaning the problems that face our society. Instead, we highlight solutions in action that address the roots of our deepest ecological, social, and political problems. We emphasize engaging storytelling and factual accuracy. We are especially interested in authentic stories of positive change from the grassroots that can serve as models and inspiration for others. We also publish essays that frame or re-envision societal trends—and how these could bring about transformation and progress.

We do not accept unsolicited poetry or fiction. Personal essays are sometimes considered if they illuminate a relevant cultural, political, or environmental topic. We do not endorse any candidate, party, or legislation, although we cover legislation and political races as news items, to the degree that they relate to our core mission. We do not adhere to any particular spiritual tradition, although we welcome articles that are explicitly founded in any faith (or in secularism).

Compensation

Pay rates for articles vary and are negotiated based on the circumstances of the writer and the assignment. YES! pays higher rates for original reporting and deeply researched stories that break new ground. YES! is a nonprofit publication and accepts no advertisements.

Connecticut Magazine

From the Web Site:

Connecticut Magazine is a general interest, service and issue-oriented magazine that covers all aspects of life in the state—arts, politics, travel, people, business, health, environment and newsworthy issues. Connecticut Magazine readers are generally affluent and well-educated. They enjoy intellectual pursuits, entertainment, dining out and recreation. They are inquisitive, active. They are concerned about the state in which they live and are looking for information and entertainment in our pages.

Unsolicited Articles: Many of the articles we publish, including restaurant reviews, interiors, politics, and gardening, are written by our regular contributing writers. Connecticut Magazine does, however, purchase unsolicited articles from free-lancers. We look for service articles, investigative pieces, personality profiles and other pieces of interest to Connecticut readers. We do not publish fiction or poetry. Writers are encouraged to read recent issues of Connecticut Magazine to get a sense of the types of articles and styles appropriate for the magazine.

Query Letters: The editors request that free-lancers query their ideas by letter and not by telephone. A query letter should contain a detailed outline of the proposed piece and a list of sources. Copies of articles previously published should be attached, if possible. Query letters are reviewed by the editors, and if the idea is accepted, the piece may be assigned.

Deadlines: Our deadline is two months prior to publication date. For example, the final manuscript for a piece slated or intended for the December issue is due on or before October 1. Because most issues are planned well in advance, queries should be submitted as early as possible, in the case of seasonal pieces four to six months ahead of the proposed publication date.

Manuscript Requirements: Manuscripts must be typed, double- or triple-spaced, on 8½” by 11″ paper with 1½” margins. All pages must be numbered. Onion skin and corrasable paper are unacceptable. Writers should retain a copy. Writer’s name, address, phone number and social security number should appear on the first and last page of each article. Phone numbers and addresses of article subjects and resource persons as well as a SASE should be included with all manuscripts submitted. Length requirements vary from piece to piece, but generally range from 1,800 words for columns and departments to 3,000 words or more for features. If possible, a choice of titles should be included.

Expenses: In certain circumstances, and if agreed to by the editor at the time of assignment, Connecticut Magazine will reimburse writers for expenses incurred with their articles. In these situations, copies of itemized phone bills and other receipts for expenses incurred must be submitted before reimbursement can be made.

Payment: The amount of payment is determined at the time of assignment and is made within one month of publication. A kill fee not to exceed 20 percent may be paid in the event a commissioned article is still unpublishable after reasonable attempts at revision either by the assigned writer or the magazine staff. Payment is determined on an individual basis. Articles assigned on speculation and unsolicited articles carry no kill fee and no expenses unless otherwise stated in writing.