Pitches wanted (personal essays, forests, grasslands) | ~$1 per word

COMPANY/PUBLICATION: YOUR NATIONAL FORESTS MAGAZINE

Deadline: 6 July 2023

Erin Riley is looking for pitches for Your national Forests Magazine:

Do you have a story about a memorable experience about a connection to water on a National Forest or Grassland?

The National Forest Foundation is seeking a personal essay from a US-based writer for the Winter/Spring 2024 issue of our magazine, which aims to showcase the ways in which our forests and grasslands are inextricably tied to the health of their water systems. We welcome both literal examinations of this relationship—a travelogue about canoeing Minnesota’s Boundary Waters or wheelchair-accessible boating on Detroit Lake in Oregon’s Willamette National Forest—and more symbolic explorations, e.g. a meditation on how changes to the Mulberry River in Arkansas’ Ozark National Forest have mirrored chapters in your own life.

We’ll prioritize stories that exhibit unique perspectives and some kind of narrative arc exploring how an experience has brought you new understanding or appreciation. Specs: 1,000 words for $1,000, first draft due August 7. We encourage writers of all backgrounds and experiences to pitch us. Email erinvriley@gmail.com with A story hed and subhed; two paragraphs that provide a sense of voice (feel free to include a potential lede) and outline the what and the why; information about the availability of relevant, high-quality photos; and two clips. Use the subject line: NFF Personal Essay Pitch.

Deadline for pitches is Thursday, July 6. Past issues can be found on our website, but note that the Winter/Spring 2024 issue will have a different look and format.

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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