Mountain Gazette depends upon submissions from writers, photographers and illustrators. An intimate familiarity with the magazine is essential before submitting work to us. Any work that would be appropriate for other magazines that might seem similar on a superficial level will likely not be appropriate for us. PLEASE scrutinize several copies before sending us your work, as we have a distinctive voice and attitude.
Articles
We do not accept query letters, only completed manuscripts submitted on speculation. Due to the overwhelming volume of submissions, it can take several months for us to read manuscripts, and it often takes a year or more before stories we accept appear in print. We do however acknowledge receipt of manuscripts within a few days, so, if you do not receive such an acknowledgement, please request an update. Please submit stories via email as Word attachments to Editorial Director, M. John Fayhee at mjfayhee@mountaingazette.com. Please include story title and byline on the attachment.
Mountain Gazette 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 bulk of the stories we run at least tangentially fall under the heading “outdoor recreation” (backpacking, skiing, etc.) We are looking for more bicycling and snowboarding stories. We do not run destination articles. Please let us know about the availability of art when you send your story in.
Think in terms of seasonality before making submissions, as we rarely run, say, skiing stories in summer or backpacking stories in winter. Deadline is May 10 for July, July 10 for September and so on.
Features
We run 4-6 full-length features per issue. Preferred length is 1,500-3,500 words. Though we hesitate to limit word counts, shorter stories certainly stand a better chance of getting published. We are known for our first- and third-person experiential essays, but we are currently looking for more journalistic essays, pure journalism, trend pieces, personality profiles and quirky pieces about uniquely mountain places, businesses and events. Pay is $150-600, with journalism work at the top end of the scale.
Mountain Notebook
Usually shorter versions of our features section, but we’re looking for more journalism work covering lifestyles, issues, environmental topics, personalities and events. Length: 800 words or less. Pay: $75-125.
Obituaries
Anything that once existed but no longer does. We have done Obituaries on dogs, cars, events, concepts, bars and even people. The sky is the limit, as long as it’s now dead and gone. Preferred length is under 800 words. Must include name of deceased, birth date, death date and cause of death. Pay: $75-125.
Bumpersticker
The idea here is that we all see interesting bumperstickers as we cruise around and we wonder what they are about. In this department, we tell the story behind individual bumperstickers — who came up with the idea, what does the message mean, etc. We are particularly open to environmental subjects. We run Bumpersticker every other issue. Length: 800 words. Pay $75-125. Submissions must include copy of sticker.
Orientation
This section is devoted to maps, map-reading, getting lost, getting found, directional technology, trends, events, anything to do with the subject of orientation. Map subjects are preferred, though. History of maps, new maps, map lore, whatever. We run this section every other issue. Length: 800 words. Pay: $75-125. Orientation submissions must include appropriate art.
Cartographic
Currently written in-house.
Reviews
We run 2-3 reviews per issue, mostly of books. We are looking to expand the scope of the Reviews section to include gear, CDs, film, events and non-traditional subjects, such as, well, dog pooper-scoopers and high-tech earmuffs (both subjects we’ve reviewed before). The thing being reviewed in our Reviews section generally serves as the excuse to discuss some larger topic. All reviews must include pertinent info, such as ISBNs, contact info, web addresses, etc.
Art
We actively solicit art submissions. We accept black-and-white and color photographs, paintings and illustrations. Our preference is that all art be sent as low-resolution jpegs or tiffs to Art Airector, Andy Outis - andy.outis@skrammedia.com. If we are interested in running art submitted electronically, we will ask that a high-rez version be sent electronically or loaded onto an FTP site. We do accept snail mail submissions for photographs and illustrations, but please note that, try as we might to take care of art, shit does happen. Under no circumstances should artists submit original work, only copies, and all art submitted by snail mail must include a self-addressed, stamped envelope, or we will assume no responsibility for returning the work.
We also like to get website/gallery information from photographers and artists. Please send that info to the Art Director, Andy Outis - andy.outis@skrammedia.com
We pay $50-75 for interior photos and illustrations and $150-200 for cover work. Model releases are required for cover shots with identifiable personages.
Poetry
Mountain Gazette accepts poems on mountains, mountain life, and mountain culture. What we look for are poems that capture a specific part of the mountain experience-- on the trail, back of beyond, in town, on the road, at work, or cutting loose. We love a good sense of humor. And we appreciate poems on aspects of mountain life and culture that are less commonly written about. We also have seasonal issues on rivers (May) , climbing (June-July), and winter (December, January, and February). Desert poems work well in late winter/early spring. The poems that work best for us in terms of layout are poems with relatively short lines (about ten words max). Shorter poems (no longer than about 40 lines altogether including spaces and title) work best. Please include a short bio note, several sentences long. Please send poems as Microsoft Word attachments (please, no DOCX files!) and include your name, email address, and any other contact issue in the footer of each page. Our response time varies but you can expect to hear from us within 3 or 4 months. Send seasonal material well in advance. If we accept your poem, you'll be getting a copy of the issue and a check shortly after the issue appears on the street.
***We no longer accept manuscripts by mail.***
Please email poems to poetry@mountaingazette.com.
