Editorial Submission Guidelines for Backcountry Magazine
Backcountry Magazine welcomes pitches and speculative submissions for all editorial departments but will take no responsibility for them.
Send us researched, timely, original ideas with a strong backcountry hook, from current events to prolific characters to unique destinations. We are always looking for Feature ideas, as well as Destination stories for our On Location department. Pitch us Profiles and Newsworthy items, Mountain Skills pieces and Accounts of avalanches and other mountain mishaps.
FAMILIARIZE yourself with the stories we run in Backcountry, and pitch us sharp, relevant story ideas for specific departments. Sell us the story, not just the idea.
Please use this format for submissions via email:
SUBJECT LINE: QUERY
WHO ARE YOU? YOUR NAME, BACKGROUND, PUBLISHING CREDENTIALS
WHAT DEPARTMENT ARE YOU PITCHING TO? I.E. FEATURE, BLOWN IN, MTN. SKILLS, ETC.
IDEA: SELL US ON YOUR STORY! TELL US WHY IT’S TIMELY AND RELEVANT AT THIS VERY MOMENT IN TIME. ALWAYS PRESENT THE BACKCOUNTRY HOOK—WHY IS YOUR STORY IMPORTANT TO OUR MAGAZINE AND COMMUNITY? FOR DESTINATION PIECES, PLEASE INCLUDE PHOTOGRAPHER OPTIONS.
Send your pitches to Betsy Manero, Editor-In-Chief, at betsy@backcountrymagazine.com. Please list your phone number, plus contact info for photography. Remember, you might have an incredible story to tell, but without high-quality visuals, it won’t make publication.
Backcountry Magazine generally follows the terms and conditions of the National Writers Union Standard Journalism Contract. Our standard payment for manuscripts is $0.35 per word. In the case that the manuscript is not up to standards, we reserve the right to pay less or reject it all together.
Photo Submission Guidelines for Backcountry Magazine
We publish anything and everything related to the sport, lifestyle and culture that IS backcountry. But we have a few criteria:
1. All action subjects must be wearing a pack.
2. Typically not interested in shots that include helicopters.
Digital Submission Guidelines: (Pro DSLR cameras preferred)
All digital submissions must follow all guidelines to be considered for publication in Backcountry Magazine:
1. Processed RAW files in .DNG format
2. Preview JPEG images (10″x15″ @ 150 dpi)
3. Metadata embedded (Including: photographer name, contact info, athlete name and location)
4. Naming convention: [FirstInitial] [Last name]_123.jpg. ie. MLorenz_123.jpg/MLorenz_123.dng
For FTP login information, further questions or cute kitten videos please contact photo editor Mike Lorenz: photo@backcountrymagazine.com.
Photo submissions from original 35 mm slides:
Please send as low-res preview JPGs (10×15 @ 150 dpi). If you don’t have the capacity to scan original slides, or would prefer to send the originals to us for previewing, please email Mike Lorenz at photo@backcountrymagazine.com. If we decide to consider any images from your submission, we will contact you to arrange shipment of the original slides. Backcountry Magazine is NOT responsible for your materials until they are received. All unsolicited submissions must include postage for the certified return of documents, or an account number for your choice of traceable carriers.
Rates:
Photographers will be paid based upon placement.
Cover – $400
Spectacle Spread – $250
Spread – $175
Full page – $125
Half page – $85
Quarter page – $60
Spot – $35
The minimum rate for photographs placed in the Feature Contents, Intro section, or Spectacle will equal the full-page rate of $125.
Send all DVD photo submissions to:
Backcountry Magazine
Attn: Photo Editor
U.S. Mail: P.O. Box 190
Shipping: 60 Main St. Suite 201
Jeffersonville, VT 05464
