Adirondack Life, Inc. - Editorial Guidelines

Editorial Guidelines

Editorial Guidelines

Adirondack Life serves a region that is defined not by state borders but by environmental, political and economic boundaries. It is the only publication that addresses the unique natural and social aspects of New York State's Adirondack Park, and that gives those concerns local and national exposure. The magazine offers an important window into understanding this region.

In addition to the regular bimonthly issues of Adirondack Life—describing the history, culture, recreation, wildlife and personalities of the area—is the Annual Guide to the Adirondacks, which is sold on newsstands year-round. The Guide's emphasis is on how-to and where-to articles that meet the needs of new visitors and offer in-depth information about an array of recreational offerings. In 1998 Adirondack Life launched The Collectors Issue, whose theme occasionally changes each year—the 2003 Collectors Issue was "The Food Issue"; in 2004 and 2005 it was the Home Issue; we'll do another Home Issue in 2009.

Writers should become familiar with the magazine and can do so by requesting a sample copy. Please send an address label and a check for $3.00 to cover postage. Along with a writer's query we like to see a few published stories. For new writers, the best way to break into the magazine is through departments, which run from 1,200 to 2,000 words. Features run from approximately 2,000 to 4,000 words.

Payment is $.30 per published word approximately thirty days after publication. We are not interested in poetry, fiction, editorial cartoons or short essays of less than 1,000 words. Guidelines for submission of photographs and illustrations are available from the art director.

All work submitted must be the original property of the writer and should not have appeared in another publication. Adirondack Life buys first North American serial print rights.

Facts in all articles must be verified or substantiated in the text. Please double space manuscripts. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope with all correspondence.

DEPARTMENTS:
Special Places: Focused articles about unique locations that underline the special character of the Adirondacks. Recent examples include the Red Tavern, a backcountry roadhouse in Duane; Hoss's Author's Night in Long Lake; a timeless family camp in Keene; and Elizabethtown's Deer's Head Inn.

Barkeater: Short essays, from personal to political. Recent examples include a daughter's account of how the Adirondacks soothes her Alzheimer's-afflicted mother; a piece about a couple's love affair with Lake Champlain and a Boston Whaler; an article about companies across the country hijacking the Adirondack brand; and reflections on early-spring birding.

Sporting Scene: Outdoor recreation. Examples include cross-country skiing around Tug Hill; excerpts from world champion downhill skier Andrew Weibrecht's journal; and the challenges of a Saranac Lake race-car driver.

Yesteryears: Vignettes from regional history. Recent examples include a story about gangster Lucky Luciano's time at the prison in Dannemora; memories of the former girls' Moss Lake Camp; and an Elizabethtown man's Civil War odyssey.

Other departments include:

Adirondack Made: Locally crafted products
Kitchen: Distinctly Adirondack recipes
Profile local: Individuals and families
Historic Preservation: Important buildings and structures
North Country: Catch-all
Home: Crafts, skills or techniques of interest to homeowners
Wildlife
Watercraft: Pieces on boats, boatbuilders and boat-related events.
Wilderness: Descriptions of specific wild places and observations about legal or environmental issues affecting wilderness areas
Working: Stories of uncommon occupations in the Adirondack Park as well as characteristic employment.

The Annual Guide generally includes departments on:

Hiking
Biking
Paddling
Climbing
Fishing
Family activities
Touring
Access
Learning

Send queries and manuscripts to Annie Stoltie, editor, Adirondack Life, P.O. Box 410, Jay, NY 12941. We accept queries, but not unsolicited manuscripts, via e-mail: astoltie@adirondacklife.com.

Photography Guidelines
Adirondack Life works with freelance photographers on every issue. Most images are stock; some are assigned. Assignments generally go to photographers we've worked with previously. We accept any size format transparencies or black-and-white prints. All images must be taken in the Adirondack Park. Ideas for photo essays and photo features are welcome.

Photos must have been taken inside the borders of the Adirondack Park. Click here to see a map
Photos can be submitted as slides or in digital format on CD Rom.
Slides must be labeled with your name and the location of the scene. Please include self-addressed, stamped envelope for returns.
Duplicate transparencies must be labeled as such. If you have images that have already been published in Adirondack Life, please do not resubmit them.

DIGITAL PHOTO GUIDELINES:

We can accept Photoshop, tiff, jpeg, or raw files on CD
Digital photos must be shot at high resolution. (for example: a 1/4 page photo must be 800 pixels by 1000 pixels). Do NOT enlarge files from the original file size.
Digital images for cover consideration must be at least 3400 x 2600 pixels in dimension.
Please do NOT crop, color-correct or sharpen images before sending them
If possible, please include good color or B&W proofs. Proofs can be thumbnails or full size. Please include a list of locations for each image.

NEEDED FOR EVERY ISSUE:

Cover
Table of contents
Seasonal events forthe In&Out section
Our Towns

*Please note that we work on issues 3 to 4 months in advance of the current season.

COVERS:
We are looking for beautiful and unusual Adirondack landscapes. Generally without people, except for the summer Annual Guide issue. Medium (2 1/4") and Large format (4" x 5") vertical photos are preferable. If possible, digital photos should be 9"x11" at 300dpi. Please keep in mind that we need some open space (or solid color) at the top of the image for the logo and cover lines.

TABLE OF CONTENTS:
We are looking for interesting, seasonal macro (close-up) shots - rocks, leaves, bark, water, ice, etc.

Payment prices and schedule

Up to 1/4 page - $75
1/4 page to 3/4 page - $100
More than 3/4 page but less than full bleed - $125
Full-page bleed - $150
Table of contents - $150
Cover - $400
Dept photo - $100
Small dept - $75
Northern Lights - $75
Our Towns - $150

Adirondack Life pays contributors 30-60 days after publication of stock photos.

Assignments are paid within 30-60 days of receiving an invoice.

Assignments are paid $250 per day; plus expenses (unless other arrangements have been specified).

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Yearly wall calendar:

Cover - $400
Inside images - $300

Submission deadline: December 15 (horizontal scenics, almost always medium format and bigger)

Magazine Submission Deadlines
Issue Date Jan-Feb March-April May-June Outdoor Guide July-August Sept-Oct Collectors Issue Nov-Dec	Submission Due Date October 15 December 15 February 15 February 15 April 15 May 15 June 15 August 15

General Needs For Each Issue

Cover: We generally select the best seasonal image available. Close-up details or beautiful vistas of the Adirondacks, wildlife and people are all considered.

Table of Contents: We use a close-up detail shot for this page. The edges must be very sharp because they frame the page. Seasonal outdoor images are generally the theme.

Calendar of Events: Every issue has two or more images of events occurring during that two-month publication period. Outdoor events, festivals, indoor events, concerts, seasonal related images, people recreating, etc. are all considered for this page. Four-color transparencies or black-and-white images are acceptable.

Photo Feature or Essay: Every issue has a seasonal photo feature or essay. These images should represent the season at hand in the Adirondacks. They are usually four-color images, generally scenics. However, people and places or black-and-white seasonal images are also considered. We encourage interesting and obscure places and scenes, off the beaten path, as well as the classic shots.

Our Towns: This is a black-and-white image of an Adirondack town. It should portray an image that someone passing through will remember or identify. Interesting buildings, storefronts, architecture, bridges or any other characteristic image of the town will be considered. See list of the towns that we have already published below.

All images must have the photographer's name and proper identification visible on the mount. Images will be held until publication of the issue in which they are being considered. All images will be returned within two weeks after publication, unless otherwise requested. Providing a SASE is appreciated.

For additional information or to send your submissions contact:
Art Director
ADIRONDACK LIFE
P.O. Box 410, 12961 Route 9N
Jay, NY 12941
phone: 518-946-2191
fax: 518-946-7461.

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Our Towns
The towns listed below have already been featured in Adirondack Life.

Adirondack – October 05

Au Sable Forks – December 99

Bakers Mills – October 03

Batchellerville – February 06

Benson – June 02

Big Moose – August 91

Blue Mountain – June 97

Bloomingdale – June 05

Bolton Landing – August 98

Brant Lake – April 94

Brantingham – April 03

Caroga – December 90

Chestertown – December 94

Childwold – August 93

Clemons – February 03

Corinth – December 96

Cranberry Lake – June 95

Crown Point – April 06

Conklingville – May 07

Eagle Bay – June 01

Edinburg – April 01

Elizabethtown – October 98

Essex – August 01

Fine – April 02

Gabriels – February 93

Hadley – December 97

Hague – August 07

Harkness – December 05

Hinkley – December 98

Indian Lake – February 95

Inlet – June 93

Ironville – February 00

Jay – June 91

Johnsburg – April 05

Keene – February 01

Keene Valley – August 92

Lake George – August 99

Lake Luzerne – April 92

Lake Placid – December 93

Lake Pleasant – Jan 04

Lewis – October 96

Long Lake – February 91

Lyon Mountain – August 90

Mayfield – August 04

McColloms – August 02

Minerva – December 95

Mineville – October 06

New Russia – June 96

Newcomb – August 00

Newton Falls – December 02

Nicholville – April 00

North Creek – April 96

North Hudson – April 95

North River – December 00

Northville – April 93

Number Four – October 02

Ohio – August 06

Old Forge – August 96

Olmstedville – June 00

Onchiota – December 01

Oswegatchie – February 96

Otter Lake – April 98

Owls Head – December 91

Oxbow Lake – June 98

Paul Smiths – October 97

Piercefield – August 03

Pilot Knob – December 04

Piseco – October 92

Port Henry – October 90

Pottersville – February 99

Putnam Station – December 03

Raquette Lake – June 92

Ray Brook – April 04

Reber – October 99

Riparius – June 99

Sabael – June 06

St. Regis Falls – April 91

Santa Clara – June 04

Saranac Lake – February 92

Schroon Lake – February 98

Sodom – February 07

Speculator – October 93

Standish – April 07

Stillwater – October 07

Stony Creek – October 91

Thurman – December 92

Ticonderoga – June 03

Tupper Lake – October 95

Upper St. Regis – August 05

Vermontville – Jan 96

Wadhams – March 97

Wanakena – August 94

Warrensburg – August 97

Wells – June 95

Westport – February 94

Wevertown – October 01

Willsboro – August 95

Wilmington – April 99

Witherbee – February 02