AMC Outdoors inspires readers to get outside and get involved by providing high-quality coverage of outdoor recreation, education, and conservation topics throughout the Northern Appalachian region, from Maine to Virginia. Our goal is to provide a balance of coverage that appeals to people new to the outdoors as well as experienced backcountry users. Our primary focus is recreation, but we also work to educate our more than 90,000 members on environmental issues that could affect the activities and natural areas they love. The magazine is published ten times per year.
Features
In each issue, two compelling features tell stories about people and place that stimulate readers’ curiosities and engage their passions. These features are generally determined six months to a year in advance by an editorial team and assigned to professional writers four months before publication date. For a list of topics for 2008, please request our editorial calendar.
We are always on the lookout for stories that have a unique hook, showcase an outdoor sport in a new and exciting way, offer a tangible sense of place and meaning, or profile individuals with unique approaches to conservation in the Northeast. We are interested in stories that lend themselves to stunning color photography or other visuals and that feature people of diverse backgrounds and ages talking about their connection to the outdoors and recreation.
Features range from 2,000 to 2,500 words and often include sidebars.
Departments
Our editorial departments make up the front matter of AMC Outdoors. They are designed to be short, in-depth articles that provide readers with news and advice on a variety of outdoor recreation and conservation topics. Some departments are written by staff editors or contributing writers, but the following are open to freelancers:
- “Vistas – News and Views From the Northeast Outdoors” is a timely roundup of the news and issues facing our region. Whether reporting on nature deficit disorder, energy efficiency, or newly opened recreation trails, Vistas offers hard news stories on topics our readers care about. The department is made up of three pieces: a lead story of 700 to 750 words and two shorter articles of 300 to 350 words.
- “Out + Fit –Bodywise Advice for a Healthier You” offers the latest in fitness and nutrition for readers who want to get the most out of their outdoor experiences. Topics can cover a variety of activities or be sport-specific. They should also be timely for the season and provide a fresh look at ways to stay healthy in the outdoors. 600-700 words.
- “Learn How – Skills for the Great Outdoors” provides readers with useful lessons to enhance their experiences in the outdoors. Articles can feature skills-building for various recreational activities, instruction on how to reduce one’s environmental impact, or hands-on tips for home-based projects such as composting or wood chopping. 600-700 words.
Queries
While we occasionally accept unsolicited manuscripts, it’s best to send a query letter that conveys the tone of the proposed piece and explains what it would cover. If you’re interested in possible assignments, please send a cover letter and clips to the appropriate contact below.
When submitting ideas, it’s important to keep in mind that AMC Outdoors is a membership magazine; proposed topics should be of interest to the organization’s membership. We recommend that you look over several issues with an eye for the subject matter and tone before drafting your query. We work several months in advance of publication date, which means writers must be writing at least three months in advance of publication (longer for features). Please submit your queries with sufficient lead-time for assignment, reporting, and writing.
Please allow two to four weeks for replies. All queries can be sent to amcpublications@outdoors.org with a subject line drawing attention to the appropriate editor below:
Features: Heather Stephenson, publisher
Vistas and Out + Fit: Karen Finogle, senior editor
Learn How: Fred Durso, managing editor
Assignments & Payment
All assignments require a signed, written contract, and AMC Outdoors retains all rights to the story. Contributors may be reimbursed for some expenses and receive complimentary copies of the issue. Payment is based upon the length and complexity of the assignment, as well as a writer’s demonstrated expertise regarding the subject matter. We generally pay $500 to $700 for features and $150 to $400 for department columns.
Photography
AMC Outdoors relies on the talents of regional photographers throughout the Northeast for powerful images and we welcome submissions for review (see below for common subject areas). We will occasionally commission photo shoots for cover and feature images. For cover images, we look for action-oriented, exceptional images set in jaw-dropping landscapes. The images are specific to that issue’s theme and are often solicited from professional photographers. Lead-time for photo selection is generally three months before issue publication.
Stock photography subjects:
- Outdoor activities: hiking, climbing, skiing, camping, snowshoeing, cycling, canoeing, kayaking, etc. The images we’re most likely to use will be ones where the person or people in the image are in the foreground and are clearly having fun at what they are doing.
- AMC-related events and facilities in all seasons
- AMC members, volunteers, or staff at work on the trail, on the water, or at a facility
- Landscapes, waterways, and wildlife of the Northeast in all seasons
All photograph submissions should include a description of where the photo was taken and be a minimum resolution of 300 dpi. Please send at least three sample images or a web address if your photo library is available online. Please do not email files larger than 2MB.
Payment
Fees are negotiated on an individual basis; the general range is $50 to $300. AMC Outdoors retains one-time publishing rights for each image used, unless an agreement exists for multiple uses. We also welcome complimentary or donated images for our library, to be used as needed in the publication.
Contact
Karen Finogle, Senior Editor, amcpublications@outdoors.org
