We’ve all been there: you spend time researching a topic and interviewing sources, polish a query letter – maybe even workshop it with colleagues – and email it to a publication.
Then you never get a response.
Editors are barraged with hundreds of emails each day, so it can be challenging to catch their attention. That’s why we’ve implemented “Editor Insights.” We’re asking editors of dog-centric publications and sections to share the inside scoop on what it takes to freelance for them.
We hope this program will help writers break into new publications, and that editors will receive thoughtful, targeted queries from our members. If you are an editor (or know of an editor) who would like to participate, please email DWAA President Carol Bryant.
And if you’re a writer, please be sure to spend time honing your idea and crafting your query letter before hitting “send.” Let’s show them why DWAA members are at the forefront of dog writing!
What distinguishes your publication?
The Doll-McGinnis Publications, ShowSight, Top Notch Toys, Sight & Scent, The Doberman Digest and The Orient Express (all five now owned by AraMedia Group Inc. since April 21st of 2017) are known for dependability, reliability, beauty, customer service, and an upbeat tone to the content. All our magazines are very pro-AKC.
Is there a section/topic particularly open to freelancers?
We welcome all submissions but we’re geared mostly to judges and breeder/exhibitors, so many wonderful pet-related articles might not suit our audience.
What should members pitch (essays, service pieces, etc.)?
I personally love essays about the sport, breeding, and judging. We’re particularly interested in fostering the next generation.
What should members avoid pitching?
Anything negative without redeeming qualities.
What do you like to see in a query letter?
I want to see familiarity with our publication(s), an example of the writer’s work, and a willingness to interact with an editor to make sure the piece best fits the format.
What percentage of the publication is written by freelancers?
Perhaps twenty-five percent. We have a regular staff of experienced writers but we always welcome other viewpoints.
What is your response time to queries? Do you respond to all of them, or after a certain amount of time is it OK to submit elsewhere?
Usually a response comes almost immediately.
What do you see as the future of dog writing?
As we segue into a mostly digital arena, I’m seeing that shorter articles best fit the fast pace of readers’ lives (and shorter attention spans caused by a huge influx of information 24/7). Quick and to the point is probably the best model.
Where should members email queries?
editor@aramediagrp.com
Is there anything you’d like to add?
Having been at this for almost forty years, I have to say that keeping dog-related topics “fresh” is difficult because, let’s face it, how many times can you discuss hocks? Yet our ever-changing landscape leaves much room for opinion-gathering and the turnover in fanciers provides a fresh set of students on a regular basis. And as my mentor, Nigel Aubrey-Jones taught me, “any article over five years old is brand new.”
I wish everyone the very best of luck in their careers and look forward to hearing from you.
What distinguishes your publication?
Pet Sitter’s World is the only print publication created specifically for professional pet sitters and dog walkers. It is an award-winning, bimonthly, minimum of 56-page publication, and is printed on glossy stock in magazine format. Pet Sitter’s World is mailed to PSI’s more than 6,000 members, as well as industry affiliates, business partners, and select veterinary and veterinary-technician programs. The publication is consistently ranked by members as one of PSI’s top member benefits.
Is there a section/topic particularly open to freelancers?
Pet Sitter’s World includes a mix of business and pet-related topics. Freelance submissions have been used for our regular columns, including Tech Tools (focuses on ways technology can be used in pet-related businesses) and Market My Words (focuses on practical marketing tips – traditional or online marketing – for pet-care businesses), as well as for feature articles focusing on pet-care and pet-health related topics.
What should members pitch (essays, service pieces, etc.)?
Our primary focus is on educational, informative articles. “How-to” articles would also be considered.
What should members avoid pitching?
Because our publication focuses on educational, informative content that our members can apply to their business practices and/or their care of pets, personal essays are typically not a great fit (unless the personal essay is supplemented by outside research on a particular pet-health issue, for example). Submissions in the pet’s voice/from the pet’s perspective are also typically not a good fit for Pet Sitter’s World.
What do you like to see in a query letter?
The most appreciated (and effective) query letters are brief, but include information on the specific article content the writer is pitching, along with why the article would be a good fit with our publication. We also ask writers to include information on other published works, any education or professional background relevant to the article being pitched, and their required/requested fee, if applicable.
What percentage of the publication is written by freelancers?
This varies from issue to issue, but we are interested in working with more freelancers.
What is your response time to queries? Do you respond to all of them, or after a certain amount of time is it OK to submit elsewhere?
We will respond to all queries within 5-7 business days. If a response is not received, we encourage the writer to follow up, as email communication is not 100% reliable.
What do you see as the future of dog writing?
There’s a wealth of opportunity for dog writers, particularly those willing to diversify and write content for both print and online, including blog posts, e-Newsletters and social-media content. We believe writers who specialize in specific niche content areas (e.g., breed-specific, pet travel, health and behavior) will also be in higher demand. As the industry grows, developing expertise in specific areas such as those noted above or establishing a very unique voice/point of view will be necessary to “stand out.”
Lead time?
Varies, depending upon issue for publication. Pet Sitter’s World finalizes the editorial content schedule, including submission deadlines, by September for the following year—and will make the schedule available to interested writers, upon request.
Pay rate?
Varies. We’ve worked with many writers interested in submitting articles to gain exposure (no compensation requested), as well as those interested in some type of in-kind payment (ad space in our eNewsletter, for example). For other submissions, the pay rate varies depending on length of article and topic.
Rights purchased?
PSI’s standard publishing agreement grants PSI exclusive first-time rights to publish the manuscript, and grants the author the right to publish the article in other publications six months following its appearance in PSI’s publication if PSI is notified and the article is published with the credit line to read, “First published in Pet Sitter’s World, mm/dd/yy, by Pet Sitters International, www.petsit.com.). However, we are willing to review this on a case-by-case basis.
Where should members email queries?
Please send queries to editor@petsit.com.
http://www.akc.org/pubs/family-dog/
What distinguishes your publication:
It is an official publication of the American Kennel Club. Our focus is on the purebred dog, although we do cover mixed breeds as part of our Canine Partners program.
Is there a section particularly open to freelancers?
Features, mostly, because most of the columns are written by regular columnists or staff. But it never hurts to ask.
What should members pitch?
Most desirable:
Highly unusual personal stories–the journey of one person and one dog.
But there is a variety. In the last year, we’ve run stories on:
how the “class” of puppies at Penn Vet University choose their majors and life work;
how P.T. Barnum ran the first dog show in America;
training and working with cadaver sniffers;
people who dance with their dogs,
and a cancer survivor who returned the favor to the dog who saved her life.
I always like to have characters that people can relate to and love stories of overcoming adversity, but only if they are unique.
Interesting/unusual programs and research efforts.
Funny dogs. (Like the Labrador Retriever who paints.)
Queries for first-person accounts are always welcome. Most dog stories are love stories. I’m always happy to hear one, even if I can’t find a slot for it in the magazine.
That said, if you think it’s a story and it doesn’t fit that mold, still query. I may see something I like that you didn’t think of, and we can talk about whether you can make it work.
What should members avoid pitching?
Stuff about cats. (Well, actually, no. We did something on kitty agility.) No stories written in the dog’s voice, (unless it’s really really good, like Dean Koontz’s Trixie.) You get the picture. As long as you can take no for an answer, I’m happy to read any idea that pops into your head. But it helps if you read several issues of the magazine, which are online at akc.org.
What do you like to see in a query?
A clear idea and some sense of the person’s writing style. Try to distill your idea down to a headline. Then give some explanation of how you’ll execute it and why you are uniquely suited to write it. Use as few words as possible. If it looks like you’re padding—”Today, 80 percent of people treat their beloved furbabies like family….”—I stop reading. (The use of such words as “furbaby” is generally a deal breaker for me, but not always.)
Your query will get more attention if you have unusual credentials (“I’m a veterinarian who works in a wolf park.”) or something odd about your specialty (“I do freestyle with a Boerboel.”)
What percentage of the publication is written by freelancers?
At least two of the four to five features in the magazine are generally freelance, but not always.
What percentage of freelance submissions do you accept?
Very small. Less than 10 percent.
What is your response time to queries?
It depends. I try to get back quickly, right away, but sometimes things go on the back burner and stay there. So don’t be shy if you don’t hear back. Say upfront you are a DWAA member or if I met you somewhere.
Do you respond to all of them (Yes) or after a certain amount of time is it OK to submit elsewhere?
If you don’t hear from me within a month, send a reminder, with a paste of your original query.
Do you have an example of a recent freelance story that you particularly like?
A woman wrote about how her Labrador Retriever’s love helped her survive cancer, and how the woman’s love helped the dog recover after she was hit by a car. She included a sidebar on scientific research on how the human/canine bond spurs the healing process in both species. (“A Favor Returned,” March/April 2017, http://viewer.zmags.com/publication/8596d038#/8596d038/27)
What do you see as the future of dog writing?
Hmmm. Interesting stories and good reporting and writing are timeless.
Lead time?
Depends on the story. Sometimes you may query and it will fit in a theme issue, but you’ll have to turn it around fast, like in a week or two. Other times, it’s not urgent, so you get about two months. Keep in mind we publish six times a year. So some stories have waited for almost a year to see print. If it takes that long, you’ll get a chance to update before we publish.
Pay rate?
$200-$250 for two-pager (700-1000 words); $400-$450 for four-pager. Publication-quality photos can sell the story for you. Bad photos can kill it. We will ask to see photos before we commit, because good quality photos are essential. Once again, for images look at the magazine. (Look at the German Shepherd breed profile in the Jan/Feb 2017 issue and “They Seek Dead People,” same issue for examples of good photos. Photo specs are: 300 dpi at 5 X 7.)
Kill fee?
If the story is executed as we specified and we have to kill it, 20 percent.
Rights purchased?
First North American.
Where should members email queries?
mara.bovsun@akc.org and/or Liz.donovan@akc.org
What distinguishes your publication?
We write to the average pet parent – we like to keep it light, yet informative.
Is there a section/topic particularly open to freelancers?
I’m open to most sections or topics.
What should members pitch?
Topics they have a special interest in, or ones they’d like to explore more of. I love funny/interesting stories, or personal experiences.
What should members avoid pitching?
General stories we’ve already covered. Before you pitch, do a search of the site before you send your ideas.
What do you like to see in a query?
Personality and someone who’s done their research into the site and into my background.
What percentage of the publication is written by freelancers?
75 percent.
What percentage of freelance submissions do you accept?
About 5 percent – I find that queries are poorly written or copy-and-paste inquiries from marketing companies.
What is your response time to queries? Do you respond to all of them, or after a certain amount of time is it OK to submit elsewhere?
I usually take a week to get back to people. I don’t respond to them all, only the ones that I feel come from real people. Give me a week before you pitch the idea someone else, and let me know you’re part of the DWAA.
Do you have an example of a recent freelance story that you particularly like?
I have a regular roster of freelancers, and I usually pass along the stories ideas to them. If you produce good work and hit deadlines, I want to keep you writing for PetGuide and will pass you work. As well, I have other sites under my direction, and there may be extra writing for different subjects (family, DIY, automotive, etc).
What do you see as the future of dog writing?
Thinking outside the niche and becoming well-versed in that area of expertise.
Lead time?
It depends, but it ranges from 48 hours (news stories) to two weeks (longer, in-depth articles)
Pay rate?
$20-$50 (300-700 words)
Rights purchased?
For six months, then the rights transfer back to the writer.
Where should members email queries?
atokic@petguide.com
Is there anything you’d like to add?
I love cheesecake. And anything with the Canadian Maple Leaf on it. Am open to bribes.
http://www.tailsinc.com/
What distinguishes your publication?
We consider ourselves a magazine with a social purpose. All of our articles either have a rescue/adoption aspect, or concern treating pets as part of the family. As much as we can, we try to use our voice to support organizations that make the world a better place for animals.
Is there a section/topic particularly open to freelancers?
All of our sections – behavior, wellness, rescue, lifestyle – are available for freelance queries.
What should members pitch (essays, service pieces, etc.)?
We accept pitches for all types of stories, though the most successful ones are narrative and source-based articles, lists that feature actionable advice, and Q&As.
What should members avoid pitching?
I wouldn’t say there’s anything a writer should particularly avoid pitching. Even if it’s a format we don’t normally publish, we are always open to ideas!
What do you like to see in a query letter?
Above all, query letters should be well-written and free from grammatical errors. If you can’t send us a clean pitch, then how can we trust you to send us a clean draft of your piece? As far as information, we like to see a headline idea, short overview of what the piece will be about/what questions it will answer, and a general idea of your considered sources.
What percentage of the publication is written by freelancers?
We are a small publication, and generally only a small percentage of our print magazine is written by freelancers. A much larger percentage of our online content is written by freelancers, but it is important to note that compensation for online content is through bios and links, not a fee.
What percentage of freelance submissions do you accept?
We print six times a year, and with just a few features per issue, so unfortunately we can’t accept as many freelance submissions as we’d like. That being said, when we find a pitch that wows us, we find a way to work it in to a future issue.
What is your response time to queries? Do you respond to all of them, or after a certain amount of time is it OK to submit elsewhere?
We respond within about a week to all queries that meet our standards (that is, queries that are not messy or incomplete). If you don’t hear back from us within two weeks, chances are we have decided to pass on your pitch.
Is there an example of a recent freelance story you particularly like?
In March we published online a story from a freelancer on renting with an emotional support animal. Not only did this cover information we didn’t yet have on the site, it had actionable advice for people dealing with the issue.
What do you see as the future of dog writing?
At least for us, the future is on rescue. While we do support the work of responsible breeders, we believe that we have an important role in promoting rescue organizations and the amazing capabilities of rescued animals. Those in animal media have a responsibility to educate consumers about the horrors of commercial breeding, and one of the best ways we can do this is to be clear in our endorsement of rescue while also writing stories that tell the truth about pet store animals.
Lead time?
About three weeks to a month. Sometimes more, occasionally less.
Pay rate?
Our pay rate is based on experience and length of article. A new writer will get about $75-$100 for a feature article ($50 for a shorter article), up to $150 for someone who has written for us more than once. Stories are rarely more than 1,200 words.
Kill fee?
Yes. Depends on the original fee.
Rights purchased?
Yes. Once we publish a piece in print our writers are not able to submit the story elsewhere.
Where should members email queries?
Laura Drucker, Editor@TailsInc.com.
Is there anything you’d like to add?
We determine most of our feature topics in-house, so while we might not always be on the look-out for pitches, a writer who sends us a good pitch, or even just a well-written pitch, will always be considered for future opportunities.
What distinguishes your publication?
We are one of the very few publications for loving and dedicated dog owners whose articles are all vetted by an advisory board of veterinarians who are both clinicians and researchers on the cutting edge of the best way to take care of our canine family members. We also accept no advertising, so there are never conflicts of interest.
Is there a section/topic particularly open to freelancers?
No. The themes/topics are wide open.
What should members pitch (essays, service pieces, etc.)?
We are 7/8 service pieces. Our readers want to know HOW to better take care of their dogs, whether it’s about nutrition, wellness, disease, behavior, training, getting the best pet health insurance, fostering, buying the best harness, and so on. Once in a while we do short pieces — 375 to 750 words — on something interesting or adorable without a service angle, but that’ s not really what it’s about.
What should members avoid pitching?
Cute or interesting for its own sake. It should have a take-away.
What do you like to see in a query letter?
A well thought-out explanation of why readers need to read about a particular angle on something to take better care of their dogs. If it’s new advice from AAHA about vaccinations, say what you will cover and why readers need to know it. If it’s training tactics that many people try but that always fail, explain a few in a thumbnail way. Of course, if you thought of an angle on something that’s out of the box but will prove really useful to readers, you’ve hit the jackpot. Good to suggest a word count, too — it gives me a better idea of where you’re coming from and it helps you think through how you’d approach it.
What percentage of the publication is written by freelancers?
Currently very little, but that will change. I will be ramping up to using freelancers for about 25 percent of each issue.
What percentage of freelance submissions do you accept?
Too early to tell.
What is your response time to queries? Do you respond to all of them, or after a certain amount of time is it OK to submit elsewhere?
If you don’t hear from me within two weeks, it’s reasonable to move on.
Is there an example of a recent freelance story you particularly like?
Again, we’re too new to freelancers to have examples. But we’ve done some cool stories (or stories I think of a cool) on: whether your dog is training you rather than vice versa, good New Year’s resolutions for treating your dog better, whether anesthesia-free dental exams are a reasonable way to go, dieting WITH your dog, etc.
What do you see as the future of dog writing?
Dog owners are getting more and more sophisticated in their care of dogs, and treatment and understanding of dogs are also getting more and more sophisticated. People still need the basics, but whenever something new can be woven in, that’s great.
Lead time?
I’ll generally ask to have something assigned back to me in a month.
Pay rate?
Not great. Thirty-three to 50 cents a word depending on the writer and the difficulty of the assignment.
Kill fee?
50 percent.
Rights purchased?
All, in perpetuity.
Where should members email queries?
yourdog@tufts.edu. “Dear Larry” or “Hi Larry” is fine.
Is there anything you’d like to add?
Please read some articles before querying, so you’ll get a feel for the publication and the types of things we try to do — and for the tone and voice: www.tuftsyourdog.com