Guidelines for Writers & Photographers

AN EDITORIAL INTRODUCTION

Sierra Heritage Magazine, established in 1981, strives to provide its readers a wide spectrum of interesting and entertaining editorial focused on life in the Sierra Nevada and adjoining foothills. Editorial includes articles and accompanying photography on recreation, history, nature, wildlife, restaurants, accommodations, pioneer diaries, personal profiles, weekend getaways, family activities and environmental issues.

The editorial content is complemented by award-winning, color photography and black and white historical photography. Our vision is to draw readers into the experience by weaving a tapestry of magnificent photographs and captivating writing.

In each issue we try for a balanced blend of articles about the old and the new. Our aim is to inspire a sense of appreciation for the heritage and beauty of the region - and in that way seek to ensure the preservation of both.

Within Sierra Heritage Magazine we are looking for strong, carefully researched, entertaining articles. We have no team of fact checkers - there's just a small editorial staff - so correctness must depend, for the most part, on the writer's accuracy. More than just a body of facts, these articles should have a theme or clearly focused thesis around which the article is built, leading the reader into the experience or subject.

STYLE AND TONE

Editorial content aims for the middle style - not high-flown and not colloquial. Style should be sincere, plain, clear, conversational and intelligent. We try to invite the reader into the article with an appealing lead and encourage him or her to read on with a myriad of quotes, anecdotes and interesting facts. Active over passive construction is favored. We try to edify without preaching and look for articles that will wear well.

Feature and department articles should range from 600 to 2,000 words, along with sidebar contact and detail information and a location map. Submit your editorial photography by e-mail or on a Macintosh compatible CD.

PHOTOGRAPHY

Most issues contains photographic essays based on the season or a particular place or subject. This is usually accompanied by quotes about the subject, or an emotion or thought the photograph evokes. For a photographic essay, please submit between 20 and 30 shots.

The editor is constantly seeking photography to complement editorial. If the feature is historical, we can work with old, faded prints - even from books.

The breathtaking beauty of the Sierra adorns the magazine in four-color photography from fields of wildflowers to skiers catapulting off cornices, from kayaking on alpine lakes to wildlife portraits. We encourage the submission of high-resolution (300 dpi) digital images scanned to size. In some cases we still do accept prints, original slides or transparencies. Our cover demands a vertical format. Here we look for photographic beauty, originality and technical excellence. Digital images must be scanned to at least 8.5" X 11".

RATES

Payment for full-length feature articles, including photography and art work, is between $85 and $175; sidebar pieces with photographs are $35 to $75. We purchase One-time North American Serial Rights and occasionally consider second rights. We also need permission to display features on our web site, and to archive articles on the web site.

Payment is within 60 days of publication.

Fee for photographic essay is negotiable. Inside color is $25 to $75 per shot (depending upon number) and cover payment is $100.

INQUIRIES

Query by email or letter. Enclose a representative sample of your published work, or if you haven't been published, mention your qualifications for writing the article.

WRITER/PHOTOGRAPHER PROFILE

Please enclose a brief synopsis of your personal/journalistic background. If we publish your work we may ask you to provide a couple current photographs of yourself for our Contributors section.

SIERRA HERITAGE MAGAZINE
Robert Evans, Editor-in-Chief
Post Office Box 9148
Auburn, California 95604
Phone: (530) 823-3986 (530) Fax: 823-0209
E-Mail: shm@sierraheritage.com