BootsnAll Travel Community

Anyone here ever pitched a story idea to NG Traveler? Or for that matter any other travel mag?

If so, any tips? Any specific editors to address?

A few tips for travel pubs in general:

Travel mags are one of the most over-solicited markets in existence. Make your pitch concise and flawless, because they are looking for a reason to throw yours out and go to the next one.

Get their writers guidelines and follow them to the letter. If you want to make your pitch or piece stand out, do something extra, but DON'T violate any of their rules.

If they have a editorial calendar, read it. Link your pitch to something that's on their radar screen, and give a compelling argument why they should use your work instead of any of the umpty-nine others who have pitched them. Which is related to...

Know their audience. They need to think your piece is the coolest read for the people who buy their magazine. Write for the people who subscribe, or better yet, for the people they want to be. A niche viewpoint (mountain biker, first time traveller, etc) can work for or against you, depending on the mag. Think that through, and pitch them a story that is natural for you and works for their audience.

Pitch for a department or a humor story the first time. Most editors are more likely to take a chance on a newbie in these areas than a feature.

Let them know if you will be taking pictures. That can be a huge selling point.

For Traveller specifically:

Read their guidelines and follow them completely, theirs are better than most. They give some detail on what kind of perspective and voice works for them.

http://www.nationalgeographic.com/traveler/writer-guidelines.html

They really do want to see some published clippings. If you don't have any, publish something here first. They don't say right out that they won't touch new writers, but something to show makes a lot of difference.

DISCLAIMER: THE NEXT PARAGRAPH IS MY OPINION ONLY. (As opposed to the stuff above, which has some objective basis.)

NGT is all about AN adventure in A place. They don't want a general travelogue, they want a specific experience, but one that can appeal to an audience that is slightly more monied and slightly less adventurous than the average bootie. Their subscribers want to read about things that are a little out there, but that they can conceive of doing (at least, that's what they seem to buy.) They say there are no limits to acceptable writing style, but it looks to me like the want understated...the reader should pay more attention to the story than the teller. Humor and personal observations are fine, but they shouldn't overpower the place or the adventure.

Oh, and since you asked about the editor, use the address on the submission page unless you have a specific referral to an editor from someone to whom that editor listens. Otherwise, gaming the system tends to annoy them.

Good luck!
La

Thanks for the very detailed notes -- I appreciate you taking the time to help me out!

I sent in my pitch today so now it's the waiting game. My pitch is for a very detailed and unique experience, a definite niche for a city that's been written about time and time again.

I wasn't able to drum up the name of a specific editor so I just sent it to the address on the site, which hopefully doesn't mean I get lost in the mountain of mail they must receive daily.

I also attached a published clip and even a CD-ROM of a short 4-minute video that someone shot of the experience I will be having. Even if the editor doesn't watch it (and I'm pretty sure he/she won't) I figure it will make my clip stand out a bit more and seem a bit more professional.

Keeping my fingers crossed...I need to hear back in the next few weeks because I'll be in Paris in March!

quote:

Originally posted by iamadonut:
I wasn't able to drum up the name of a specific editor so I just sent it to the address on the site, which hopefully doesn't mean I get lost in the mountain of mail they must receive daily.

Well, sure, but it's their job to read it. The challenge isn't getting the editor to pick up your pitch, it's getting them NOT to discard it after the first glance. Sounds like you've done everything you can to support that.

Good luck!
La

Hi Iamadonut,

I'm laughing - did you also post this question on Media Bistro? It seems like you'll get nicer responses here - I'm amazed at how rude/bitter some of the posters seem to be over there. I recently pitched NG Adventure and called to get the name of someone there before I sent it just to be sure it got to someone. I just sent it so, who knows!

Good luck.

Yup, I sure did! haha

That was my first experience with the MB boards and, even though you can get some good info, those people are a bunch of primadonnas.

Good luck with your pitch!
We'll have to trade tips if either of us have any luck.

PS: How did your phone call go when you called NG Adventure? Who did you talk to (an EA?), what did you say?

Hiyas, just wondering if you guys have heard back about your pitches yet? Hope you do soon!

Thanks for asking...got a big fat rejection.

I was able to drum up the name and email address of an editor. Got a response from him so that was a nice touch. Basically to the tune of "we have so many writers already but thanks for asking."

Oh well...moving on to the next target!

Hey, same here. Actually, not a rejection per se, but I figure six months without a reply, even after I followed up, is a No Thanks. Hope springs eternal, but...

As Iamadonut says - Next target!

Great attitude guys, keep it up. Move on to the next. Good luck.