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Freelancing for Travel Magazines: 10 Online and Print Publications That Want to Publish Your Work

Posted on 02. Nov, 2009 by Writer in On Writing

Here are 10 print and online publications that are currently looking for freelance contributors.  When querying a new publication it is a good idea to read several back issues of the magazine and tailor your pitch specifically to the voice of that publication.

Print Magazines

1.  Arthur Frommer’s Budget Travel Magazine

• Budget Travel Magazine is published monthly and is primarily focused on detailing affordable vacations.
• Sent your query letter, published samples of your work and a cover letter to Budget Travel.
• Find detailed contributor’s guidelines here.

2.  National Geographic Traveler

• National Geographic Traveler publishes eight issues a year and focuses on both domestic and foreign destinations.
• Features are usually narrow in focus and profile destinations such as state or national parks, undiscovered places, and train or driving trips.
• Service-oriented, front-of-book departments feature practical information such as food and restaurants, great places to stay, quick getaways, and essays on travel experiences.
• National Geographic Traveler prefers queries of a page or less with a strong headline and lead and a clear premise for the piece.  The query should answer the following: “Why now, and why in Traverler?”
• See detailed writer’s guidelines here.

3. Sunset Magazine

• Sunset is published 12 times a year and covers travel, home, and gardening specific to the American West.
• The magazine is largely staff written, but is seeking freelance writers for their travel department.
• Sunset magazine is looking for what they call “take-action” travel ideas that will appear to their primary audience (70 percent women and rural or suburb dwelling).
• Submit query letters outlining the proposed story along with a suggestion for the appropriate month or season.
• See Sunset’s editorial guidelines for travel writers here.

4.  Mountain Gazette

• Mountain Gazette is another magazine focused on the spirit of the American West.
• The Mountain Gazette says it  “is open to virtually any subject, style or length, as long as the story has a direct relationship with Mountain Country and mountain life.”
• The publication only accepts full manuscripts submitted on speculation.
• See the Mountain Gazette’s contributor guidelines here.

5.  Outpost

• Outpost is both a print and online magazine that focuses on adventuresome and realistic approaches to travel.
• The magazine is published six times a year and is based out of Toronto, Canada.
• To be considered for publication, submit a one-page query letter that outlines the proposed story including its angle, elements, and length.
• See the contributor’s guidelines for Outpost here.

Online Magazines

6.  Road Junky

• Road Junky is an online publication featuring destination guides, travel tips, and travel culture.
• Road Junky is looking for travel writers to expand their city and country guides.  The publication is also interested in travel stories, but does not pay for these.
• Road Junky is also looking for translators, editors, and marketing experts.
• See travel writing and photography submission details here.

7. Galavanting

• Galavanting is an online travel magazine specifically catering to women.
• The publication features stories about traveling women and self-discovery.
• Galavanting is actively seeking feature travel essays, blog posts, and travel tips.
• See detailed contributor’s guidelines here.

8.  BootsnAll

• BootsnAll is an online travel community that publishes travel stories, blogs, and guides.
• BootsnAll is currently taking applications for travel writers.
• See jobs at BootsnAll for more information here.

9.  Fodors

• Both a popular guidebook series and travel website, Fodors is taking applications for research writer positions.
• Send a cover letter, resume, and published clips to Fodors.
• See Fodor’s contact information here.

10.  The Backpacker Daily

• The Backpacker Daily is a relatively new online magazine devoted to stories, reviews, and the arts inspired by travel.
• See submission information here.

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