Pitches wanted (grasslands, national forests, outdoors) | ~$1 per word

COMPANY/PUBLICATION: LIGHT & SEED

Deadline (extension): 13 May 2024 

Erin Vivid Riley, Editor for Light & Seed, is looking for pitches: 

Do you have a story about how you’ve been able to connect to or rely on a National Forest or Grassland despite residing in a major city? The National Forest Foundation is seeking a personal essay for the Winter/Spring 2025 issue of our magazine, Light & Seed, which will celebrate the essential and surprising ways in which urban communities depend on these lands, from climate regulation and recreation to economic benefit.

We welcome both literal examinations of this relationship—an essay about, say, how a non-profit program in Atlanta, such as a public transit initiative or a hiking community, has given you access to Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest and changed your connection to the outdoors—and more symbolic explorations, e.g. a meditation on how the Angeles National Forest has come to represent more than just a backdrop to city life in the face of climate change-induced threats such as wildfire and drought.

We’ll prioritize stories that exhibit some kind of narrative arc, in which an experience has brought you new understanding or appreciation. After a recent redesign, the magazine now has a deeper focus on diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. We encourage writers of all backgrounds and experiences to pitch us. Past issues can be found on our website, and a past example of an essay can be found here.

Please include the following in your pitch: A story hed and subhed; two paragraphs that give a sense of your voice (feel free to include a potential lede); the availability of high-quality photos; and any relevant clips.

Send pitches to Erin at erinvriley@gmail.com by Monday, May 13.

Specs: 1,000 words, pay is $1,000. First drafts due July 31, 2024. 

CONTACT INFORMATION (please do not share the email address publicly):

• Questions/submissions: erinvriley@gmail.com

• Website: https://www.nationalforests.org/our-forests/your-national-forests-magazine

TO HELP YOU CRAFT YOUR PITCH:

• Learn more about the publication: Your National Forests Magazine is published twice a year by the National Forest Foundation, the nonprofit partner of the U.S. Forest Service. It aims to engage America in community-based and national programs that promote the health and public enjoyment of the National Forest System.

• Read through a selection of recent articles/stories on its website.

• Check out our collection of pitch excerpts on this page and find more sample pitches at The Open Notebook and at SuccessfulPitches.com.

• Do not forget to end your pitch with (1) a short introduction about yourself; (2) a few lines highlighting your writing experience, relevant credentials and publication credits; and (3) links to your strongest work or portfolio, and online profile.         

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