Smithsonian

General Writer's Guidelines

Thank you for inquiring about submitting articles to Smithsonian Magazine. We are no longer accepting submissions by email or postal mail. Please use the Web submission form to submit a written proposal of 250 to 300 words as a preliminary query. The proposal should convince us that we should cover the subject, offer descriptive information on how you, the writer, would treat the subject, and offer us an opportunity to judge your writing ability. Background information and writing credentials are helpful. The proposal text box on the Web submission form holds 10,000 characters (approximately 2,000 words), ample room for a cover letter and proposal.

All unsolicited proposals are sent to us on speculation, and you should receive a reply within three weeks to queries sent using the Web form. If you have supporting material or clips of your previously published work available on-line, please include the URLs (links) in the area provided on the web form. If we decide to commission an article, the writer receives full payment on acceptance of the manuscript. If the article is found unsuitable, one-third of the payment serves as a kill fee.

Smithsonian Magazine is buying first North American serial rights only. Our article length ranges from a 700-word humor column to a 4,000-word full-length feature. We consider focused subjects that fall within the general range of Smithsonian Institution interests, such as: cultural history, physical science, art and natural history. We are always looking for offbeat subjects and profiles. We do not consider fiction, poetry, political and news events, or previously published articles. We have a two-month lead time.

Illustrations are not the responsibility of authors, but it is helpful to know what photographic possibilities exist regarding your subject. Photographs published in the magazine are usually obtained through assignments, stock agencies or specialized sources.

Department Descriptions and Guidelines

The following is a list of departments open to freelance submission and specific guidelines for submitting to them.

Phenomena & Curiosities
The Phenomena & Curiosities department runs stories about science and nature. Stories may focus on a quirky natural history observation, the implications of a recent scientific discovery, or a fascinating ongoing research project, among others. Recent examples include stories on efforts to clone extinct species, mysterious towers in Tibet, and diatoms' impact on global warming. Pieces range in length from 1,000 to 1,500 words.

Points of Interest
Points of Interest is a monthly column focusing on Americana, particularly unusual places and events. The topics are varied and may be current or historical. Stories based on historical events should have a peg and include recent interviews. Some examples are: an archaeological dig for a forgotten colony in Maine; a Native-American language immersion school in Montana; a 24-hour birding marathon in New Jersey, and a reunion of America's first black military pilots in Tuskegee, Alabama. Stories are assigned at 1,250 to 1,750 words.

Presence of Mind
Presence of Mind is an occasional department featuring reported essays that advance a distinct argument or point of view. Recent examples include essays on why Lewis and Clark matter, who was Watergate's Deep Throat, and the extent to which the founding fathers' attitudes toward slavery diminish their achievements. Presence of Mind pieces range in length from 1,200 to 2,000 words.

Our departments and some of the features can be read on the magazine's main site at www.smithsonianmag.com. A copy of the current issue costs $4.99 (back issues are $7 per copy) and may be obtained by sending a check or money order, payable to Smithsonian Magazine, to:

Smithsonian Magazine
Single-Copy Sales
420 Lexington Ave, Ste 2335
New York, NY 10170

We publish only 12 issues a year, so it is difficult to place an article in Smithsonian Magazine, but please be assured that all proposals are considered.

The Last Page Humor Column Writer's Guidelines

The Last Page is a monthly column that aims at humor. Its length runs between 500 and 650 words. Because of the difficulty in judging humor by proposal, we require submission of a completed manuscript. The Web submission form's proposal text box will accommodate a manuscript and cover letter. Payment for the column is $1,000, and there is no kill fee.

The article should be amusing and the tone genial - a story rather than a list of jokes or situations. The story usually relates to the writer's own particular experience. For example, what happened after he shaved off his moustache; what it's like to be colorblind (or a hypochondriac); or how an innocent-seeming toy ant farm turned into an unintended lesson in life. A "Last Page" story has a beginning, middle and end, and something happens. The best way to learn what a successful last page piece is, and how it works, is to study several of them.

We buy first North American serial rights. In addition, the last page columns are included on the Magazine's Web site, and articles may be reproduced on electronic research databases, microfilm, microfiche and CD-ROM for libraries and educational institutions.

All unsolicited contributions are sent on speculation. We will respond to submissions sent using the Web submission form, within three weeks.

New contributions are welcome, and we appreciate your interest.

Read more: http://www.smithsonianmag.com/contact-us/humour-guidelines.html#ixzz1qnJHaIb3