Writers' Guidelines

The mark of a really great writer is that he or she gives expression to what the masses of mankind think or feel without knowing it. The mediocre writer simply writes what everyone would have said.
--G.C. Lichtenberg, 1799

So you want to write for Paddler? Great. We'd love to have you. Here's all we ask: Send us stories that are informative, entertaining, and well-written. If your article only has one of these ingredients, then try again before sending it to us. For example, if your destination piece tells us everything there is to know about a particular place to paddle, but doesn't make us want to go there and paddle, then you've only achieved half your goal. To paraphrase Steve Martin (In Planes, Trains and Automobiles): "If you're going to tell a story, have a point—it makes it so much more interesting for the reader." Keep this in mind, too: you don’t have to be a good writer to be a good reporter, but you have to be a good reporter to be a good writer. If you’ve never written for Paddler before, the odds of us accepting a 4,000-word feature on a paddling trip are slim. Perhaps shoot for a shorter article (Lead-In section, Opus, or My Trip) your first time. And we are always looking for unique storylines that haven’t been told before.

Paddler is published six times a year by and for knowledgeable paddlers. We cover the whole spectrum—whitewater, flatwater, canoeing, sea kayaking, rafting, sit-on-tops—if you do it with a paddle in your hand, we're all over it. Our core audience is the intermediate to advanced paddler, yet we strive to cover the entire range from beginners to experts. If you're the type of contributor we're looking for, you already know this because our first requirement is that you be familiar with Paddler magazine. We ask that you not just read the magazine before querying us, but that you know it. Check out a few issues.

Keep in mind that we are looking for stories with visual appeal. If good photos are available—either your own or those of an established photographer—we are much more likely to accept your query. (It's a good practice to include one or two representative photos in queries. If querying by e-mail, attach low-res jpegs.)

We prefer to receive queries and manuscripts by e-mail, as either inline text or an attached Microsoft Word file. Include your name, address, e-mail, telephone number and a word count with every submission, in both your e-mail and in the attached file. We also accept queries by postal mail. No phone queries, please! We’re busy putting out a magazine! Please allow up to an eternity for a response, but feel free to bug us along the way—e-mail is best. A SASE must accompany all material if it is to be returned. We assume no responsibility for unsolicited manuscripts, photographs or other material or for loss due to postal negligence, natural disasters or dogs carrying envelopes off to parts unknown. We look at manuscripts on speculation.

Make your ideas unique. Think creatively. Stories should be original, though not outlandish. Remember, we don't know exactly what we're looking for--if we did, we'd simply assign it or write it ourselves. Show us something we haven't seen.

Features: Paddler publishes 2-3 features per issue. Features should be between 2,000 and 3,000 words. Original, high-quality photos must be available. Please, no boring "Me and Joe" Stories, and make sure your cliché filter is turned on before you start writing.

Lead-In Section: timely news, exciting developments, or humorous happenings relating to the paddling community. Stories must be lively and newsworthy. Query first. (150-800 words)

Book and Video Reviews: Current reviews of interest to a large number of Paddlers. Query first. (300-400 words)

Earth Matters: Issues related to the paddling environment, from dam updates to pollution and access issues. This is not a forum for rants; we welcome hard-hitting stories, but they must be well-researched and objective. (400-800 words)

Opus: 600-700 words. This is a light- or heavy-hearted, regularly running column. It can be about anything related to paddling. Doesn’t have to be about a paddling trip. Make us laugh, cry, think. In Person: Profiles of unique individuals involved in the sport. Could be a “famous” or not-so-famous paddler. (400-800 words)

Traveling Section: Mostly places to paddle, plain and simple. We often run many small blurbs of paddling places in a particular region (Alaskan sea kayaking, Colorado whitewater, for example. These are about 200 words each. Follow this format: A lead paragraph or two; When to Go (Time of Year); Time: (3-4 days, for example); Local Persuasion (beta from a local expert, guide, writer, etc.). Submissions should include photos. My Trip: This is a 600- to 800-word column about a particular trip one has taken. Tip: Like Opus, make us think, make us laugh, make us cry, andmake us want to go there. Good photos a must, including one of yourself. We occasionally run stories about traveling tips, too.


Know How: Any how-to piece related to paddling, such as a skill, gear maintenance, or fitness. Technique: A "how-to" forum in which experts share their paddling knowledge, from playboating techniques to backcountry safety. Query first with paddling resume. (400 words)

Body Shop: Articles that are related to health (diet, for example) and fitness (fitness training, avoiding injuries, treating injuries, etc.) 500-1000 words.
Address all submissions to the appropriate department and send to Paddler Magazine/Paddlesport Publishing, 12040 98th Ave. NE, Suite 205, Kirkland, WA 98034. or contact us for more information.

Paddler pays 25 to 35 cents per published word 30-45 days after publication. Rates are based on the experience of the writer and the amount of work we put into the piece. We reserve the right to substantially edit all submissions, and we frequently do. Letters to the Editor ("Eddylines") are unpaid, and may be edited for brevity, clarity, and grammar. Paddler buys First North American Serial Rights and One-Time Electronic Rights. (Stories used in the magazine may also be published on www.paddlermagazine.com.) All subsequent rights revert back to the author.

Address all submissions to the appropriate department and send to Paddler Magazine/Paddlesport Publishing, 12040 98th Ave. NE, Suite 205, Kirkland, WA 98034. or contact us for more information.

Photographers' Guidelines

To take photographs means to recognize--simultaneously and within a fraction of a second--both the fact itself and the rigorous organization of visually perceived forms that give it meaning. It is putting one's head, one's eye and one's heart on the same axis.
--Henri Cartier-Bresson

Photo submissions may be either digital images or transparencies. Digital submissions should be accompanied by a printed proof sheet. Embedded metadata is also useful. Especially when sending transparencies, please edit your submission; if you send us 300 nearly identical images we're not going to look at all of them, so send only your best work. Digital images must be available at 300 dpi at publication size. If you send smaller files for review, please be prepared to send high-resolution files on short notice. Please contact us for more information. 

Editorial photos must be technically excellent. We're looking for unique and creative photographs that support the story for which they are taken. Avoid clichés and obviously posed images. Also, paddlers shown using improper technique or without appropriate safety equipment (PFDs for all paddlers, helmets for whitewater, etc.) will generally not be considered.

Photos for the "Focus" section can be scenic or action, but they must be unique and they must be exceptional.

Photos for the "Runout" page should be humorous and original, and they must be of publishable quality. Feel free to suggest captions. We prefer high-resolution digital images or slides.

Include your name, address, phone number or e-mail on each image. We give one photo credit per image and pay 30 days after publication. Please allow eight weeks for return of photos.

Our photo rates are: $200-$300 for cover; $150-200 for a two-page spread; $100-$150 for full page; $75-$100 for a half-page; $50-$75 for quarter page or smaller. Paddler buys First North American Serial Rights and One-Time Electronic Rights. (Photographs used in the magazine may also be used on www.paddlermagazine.com.) All subsequent rights revert back to the photographer.

Address all submissions to the appropriate department and send to Paddler Magazine, 12040 98th Ave. NE, Suite 205, Kirkland, WA 98034. or  contact us for more information.