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Unsolicited Articles: Many of the articles we publish, including restaurant reviews, interiors, politics, and gardening, are written by our regular contributing writers. Connecticut Magazine does, however, purchase unsolicited articles from free-lancers. We look for service articles, investigative pieces, personality profiles and other pieces of interest to Connecticut readers. We do not publish fiction or poetry. Writers are encouraged to read recent issues of Connecticut Magazine to get a sense of the types of articles and styles appropriate for the magazine.
Query Letters: The editors request that free-lancers query their ideas by letter and not by telephone. A query letter should contain a detailed outline of the proposed piece and a list of sources. Copies of articles previously published should be attached, if possible. Query letters are reviewed by the editors, and if the idea is accepted, the piece may be assigned.
Deadlines: Our deadline is two months prior to publication date. For example, the final manuscript for a piece slated or intended for the December issue is due on or before October 1. Because most issues are planned well in advance, queries should be submitted as early as possible, in the case of seasonal pieces four to six months ahead of the proposed publication date.
Manuscript Requirements: Manuscripts must be typed, double- or triple-spaced, on 8½" by 11" paper with 1½" margins. All pages must be numbered. Onion skin and corrasable paper are unacceptable. Writers should retain a copy. Writer's name, address, phone number and social security number should appear on the first and last page of each article. Phone numbers and addresses of article subjects and resource persons as well as a SASE should be included with all manuscripts submitted. Length requirements vary from piece to piece, but generally range from 1,800 words for columns and departments to 3,000 words or more for features. If possible, a choice of titles should be included.
Expenses: In certain circumstances, and if agreed to by the editor at the time of assignment, Connecticut Magazine will reimburse writers for expenses incurred with their articles. In these situations, copies of itemized phone bills and other receipts for expenses incurred must be submitted before reimbursement can be made.
Payment: The amount of payment is determined at the time of assignment and is made within one month of publication. A kill fee not to exceed 20 percent may be paid in the event a commissioned article is still unpublishable after reasonable attempts at revision either by the assigned writer or the magazine staff. Payment is determined on an individual basis. Articles assigned on speculation and unsolicited articles carry no kill fee and no expenses unless otherwise stated in writing.
Artwork: Photos and/or illustrations to accompany articles are independently assigned by the art department. However, if a writer has appropriate photos or a lead on available ones, this information should be made known. Photographers and illustrators should contact the art department for a portfolio review.
Contact: Please send all queries to:
Dale Salm, Managing Editor
Connecticut Magazine
35 Nutmeg Drive
Trumbull, CT 06611
dsalm@connecticutmag.com
