Freelance writing, Florida Wildlife, pays $75-$250 per article

Deadlines: (see below)

Submissions

We prefer to purchase first-time, one-time rights to manuscripts and photographs. If submissions are being considered by other publishers, please notify us of this fact. Articles, artwork and photographs will appear on the Florida Wildlife Web site as well as the printed magazine.

Submissions are on speculation. Florida Wildlife reserves the right to use either all or part of your submission and to edit for content and/or size. Proper credit is given to authors, writers and photographers. Queries will be answered as time permits. Self-addressed return envelopes with sufficient postage should accompany all submissions you wish returned.

Writers' Guidelines

Florida Wildlife is looking for well-written and exciting Florida fishing, hunting and nature-based recreation stories. These stories should emphasize the appreciation of the overall outdoor experience and not focus solely on the taking of game. Stories should also reflect the concern hunters, anglers and other outdoor enthusiasts have about conserving wildlife and the habitat.

Typed manuscripts of 300 to 800 words may be submitted via e-mail or be mailed with CD and/or hard copy. We prefer that electronic copy be composed in MS Word, but will accept other formats. The first page should include the writer's name, address, telephone number and e-mail address. Poetry and handwritten manuscripts will not be considered for publication.

Manuscripts that include photographs or artwork are more likely to be considered for publication. Include the photographer's name, address, telephone number and e-mail address (if not the same as the writer's) and a description of the action, person or place pictured.

We are looking for:

* Freshwater and saltwater fishing articles.
* Hunting and hunting-related stories.
* Articles about outdoor activities such as tracking, diving, boating, hiking, wildlife watching, etc.
* How-to articles with tips and techniques for both beginners and experienced enthusiasts.

Tips & Techniques

* Be sure to include who, what, where, when, why and how in your story.
* Maintain a tight focus on your subject matter.
* Write in the active voice, not the passive voice. An example - Passive: Three suspects were arrested by wildlife officers. Active: Wildlife officers arrested three suspects.
* Use quotes and attribute them accurately. Quotes add to the reliability of a story.
* Include sidebar information such as where to get additional information, the best place(s) to participate in the activity, how-to tips, how family members may join in or how they may participate in complimentary activities, etc.
* Thoroughly research your story—use at least four sources. Include a wide range of perspectives to give your story depth and balance.
* When citing research, be specific but avoid being pedantic. Readers want to know what the point of the research was, what was learned and what it implies for them, wildlife and the management of resources. Remember, Florida Wildlife is not a technical journal for researchers.
* Avoid anthropomorphism -- attributing human feelings or thoughts to animals.

Photographers' Guidelines

Florida Wildlife has a long history of showcasing outstanding and award-winning photography and artwork. In order to continue this tradition, only extremely sharp, in-focus and well-lit photographs are considered for publication. We prefer high-resolution scans rather than film to avoid damage to or loss of original work. Low-resolution images enlarged via a computer program and other obviously retouched images will not be considered. We cannot accept soft-focused or blurred images.

When taking photographs which include people, look for shots illustrating that everyone enjoys outdoor activities—young and old, male and female, able bodied and disabled and those from various cultural backgrounds. Take advantage of naturally occurring shots—set-up shots are easily identified as such.

Each image submitted, whether digital, transparency or glossy print, should be labeled with the photographer's name and a number. The number should correspond with a separate caption sheet. The caption sheet should describe the action, place and/or person pictured. Include the name, address, telephone number and e-mail address of the photographer.

Images may be cropped, rotated, flipped or otherwise edited by a graphic artist to suit the magazine's style or to fit in available space.

We accept:

* High-resolution digital images, at least 300dpi and 2M-15M. If e-mailed, larger files should be sent singly and as JPEGs. If submitted via CD, images may be JPEG, TIFF or EPS. Color may be RGB or CMYK.
* 35mm or larger first-generation slides or negatives.
* High quality, large color prints, preferably 8x10.

All images should:

* Be shot in Florida or illustrate species living in Florida.
* Portray hunting, fishing and all other activities conforming to Florida's legal regulations, safety practices and to high ethical standards.
* If the photograph is taken on a boat or dock, any people in the photograph should be pictured wearing personal flotation devices.

Other Policies

All submissions are on speculation, and payment is made upon publication. Payment varies, depending on length, complexity and quality. In general, we pay $50 for each photograph (up to $200 for a front cover) and $75-$250 for articles.

Materials will be handled carefully, but due to the risk of mailing and shipping, Florida Wildlife and its agents will not be responsible for damage or loss of submitted material.

Stories and photographs will not be accepted for publication if they:

* Refer to alcohol or tobacco products.
* Use profanity or picture profane printed products such as explicit t-shirts.
* Advertise or promote a business or product.
* Fail to show respect for the game being taken and/or contain overly graphic details of the harvest.
* Are strictly "trophy" in content—pictures of a sportsperson with harvest or "how I got my biggest . . ."stories.

Mail address: Editor, Florida Wildlife, 620 S. Meridian St., Tallahassee, FL 32399-1600

E-mail: floridawildlife@MyFWC.com

Fax: 850-488-8974

Phone: 850-410-4944 or 1-800-416-4081

Deadlines:

January/February
Speculation Submission: July 15
Assigned Article: September 1

March/April
Speculation Submission: September 15
Assigned Article: November 1

May/June
Speculation Submission: November 15
Assigned Article: January 1

July/August
Speculation Submission: January 15
Assigned Article: March 1

September/October
Speculation Submission: March 15
Assigned Article: May 1

November/December
Speculation Submission: May 15
Assigned Article: July 1

Contact Information:

For inquiries: floridawildlife@MyFWC.com

For submissions: floridawildlife@MyFWC.com

Website: https://www.floridawildlifemagazine.com/