Readership description: HeartLand Boating magazine is devoted to both power and sailboating enthusiasts throughout middle America. Primary readership areas include Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, West Virginia and Wisconsin.
Publication description: HeartLand Boating reflects the lifestyle of the boater, the challenge, joy and excitement of life afloat. The content is informative and warm, with some personal observations and humor mixed in. We record some trips, especially to areas we don't see too often. We like profiles of unusual and noteworthy people along the waterways and places to visit, things to see and do, tips and hints. We rarely use poetry or strictly humorous articles, and do not accept fiction.
Free-lance submissions: HeartLand Boating welcomes submissions of photographs and written material for possible publication, particularly in May and June. Our focus is on the freshwater inland rivers and lakes of the Heartland, primarily the waters of the Tennessee, Cumberland, Ohio, Mississippi and Missouri rivers, the Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway and lakes found along these rivers. The magazine caters to all kinds of boating: sailboats, houseboats, cruisers, runabouts, pontoons, etc. Writers not familiar with HeartLand Boating should write for a sample issue. Enclose $5. We are looking for materials with a fresh snap and a new angle on life afloat. Please be correct, concise, clear and colorful.
Regular features open to free-lance writers include:
Marina Profile: A feature highlighting a marina in the coverage area; ask for examples of the format this feature uses. Writers should provide comprehensive information about facilities, restaurants, services, things to do, and so forth—the kind of information traveling boaters want to know about marinas they might visit. A good selection of color photos and a navigation chart showing location of the marina should accompany the article. Two marina profiles appear in each issue. No more than 800 words total.
Near the Water: The lead story of each issue, this feature requires information about shore-based, close-to-the-water places accessible to boaters. Articles should be knowledgeable and informative, with background about the area. Articles should be accompanied by a good selection of color photos. 1,500-2,000 words.
Cruises: A description of a particularly interesting cruise on one of the waterways we cover. Topics should be anything out-of-the-ordinary and can be human-interest pieces or purely descriptive. Articles should be accompanied by a good selection of color photos. Sidebar possibilities. 1,000-1,500 words.
Maintenance/nuts and bolts: Technical articles about boat maintenance/repair. Supply charts/graphics. 500-1,000 words.
Nature: Articles on flora and fauna along waterways. Sharply focused color photos. 500-1,000 words.
Electronics: Technical articles. 300-1,000 words, with art, if possible.
Miscellaneous: Query first.
Manuscript specifications: We prefer that prospective contributors query with an idea first, rather than submit an unsolicited manuscript. However, an unsolicited manuscript must be in hard-copy format and accompanied by a self-addressed stamped envelope (SASE), to ensure return of the material. HeartLand Boating will not be responsible for the return of unsolicited material sent without a SASE. Manuscripts must be typed and double-spaced on 8 1/2 x 11 paper. Please indicate the approximate number of words and mark all sheets with the page number, feature title and author's name. Please note that e-mail submissions are deleted unread.
Free-lance photographers: HeartLand Boating buys color photographs of boats or boat-related topics for each issue. Query first with samples of your work. Digital photos may use jpg or tif formats, but each file must be at least 800 KB large to be suitable for print. Covers require a minimum of 1 MB. Photo essays are occasionally awarded to an artistically outstanding series centered on a single facet of boating in our editorial area.
Free-lance illustration: HeartLand Boating has few requirements for illustration and works with illustrators on an assignment basis only. Professional illustrators interested in consideration by the magazine should have a well-developed style, be strong in line art and familiar with the contents of the magazine. Non-returnable standard file-size samples of work should be accompanied by a brochure or résumé that can be kept on file. Illustrations requiring return of samples or other information must include a SASE. No electronic submissions, please.
Free-lance cartoons: HeartLand Boating occasionally uses freestanding single panel or gag cartoons. Submissions should be prepared in black line art on 8 1/2 x 11 paper and must include a SASE for return of submission. Remember, send only material slanted for this specialty audience. No electronic submissions, please.
General: HeartLand Boating pays for contributors upon publication. We are looking for a core of free-lancers who also boat on the inland waters of middle America.
EDITORIAL AND PHOTOGRAPHY MATERIALS:
Ms. Lee Braff, Editor
HeartLand Boating
319 N. Fourth St., Suite 650
St. Louis, MO 63102
e-mail: lbraff@heartlandboating.com
ILLUSTRATIONS OR CARTOONS:
Mr. John Cassady
P.O. Box 310
Murphy, NC 28609
e-mail: info@heartlandboating.com
