Home > How to Submit Articles and Photographs to Florida Wildlife

Submissions

We prefer to purchase first-time, one-time rights to manuscripts and photographs. If submissions are being considered by other publishers, please notify us of this fact. Articles, artwork and photographs may appear on the Florida Wildlife Web site.

Submissions are on speculation. Florida Wildlife reserves the right to use either all or part of your submission and to edit for content and/or size. Proper credit is given to authors, writers and photographers. Submissions are acknowledged upon arrival. Queries will be answered as time permits. Self-addressed return envelopes with sufficient postage should accompany all submissions you wish returned.

Writers' Guidelines

Florida Wildlife is looking for well-written and exciting Florida fishing, hunting and nature-based recreation stories. These stories should emphasize the appreciation of the overall outdoor experience and not focus solely on the taking of game. Stories should also reflect the concern hunters, anglers and other outdoor enthusiasts have about conserving wildlife and the habitat.

Typed manuscripts of 300 to 1,000 words may be submitted via e-mail, computer disc or in hard copy format. We prefer that electronic copy be composed in MS Word, but will accept other formats. The first page should include the writer's name, address, Social Security number, telephone number and e-mail address. Poetry and handwritten manuscripts will not be considered for publication.

Manuscripts that include photographs or artwork are more likely to be considered for publication. Include the photographer's pertinent information (if not the same as the writer's) and a brief description of the action, person or place being pictured.

We are looking for:

• Freshwater and saltwater fishing articles.
• Hunting and hunting-related stories.
• Articles about outdoor activities such as tracking, diving, boating, hiking, wildlife watching, etc.
• How-to articles with tips and techniques for both beginners and experienced enthusiasts.
• Game recipes - for camp sites, backyard grilling and kitchen cooking.

Tips & Techniques

• Be sure to include who, what, where, when, why and how in your story.
• Maintain a tight focus on your subject matter.
• Write in the active voice, not the passive voice. An example - Passive: Three suspects were arrested by wildlife officers. Active: Wildlife officers arrested three suspects.
• Use present tense when possible.
• Use quotes and attribute them accurately. Quotes add to the reliability of a story.
• Include sidebar information such as where to get additional information, the best place(s) to participate in the activity, how-to tips, how family members may join in or how they may participate in complimentary activities, recipes, etc.
• Thoroughly research your story—use at least four sources. Include a wide range of perspectives to give your story depth and balance.
• When citing research, be specific but avoid being pedantic. Readers want to know what the point of the research was, what was learned and what it implies for them, wildlife and the management of resources. Remember, Florida Wildlife is not a technical journal for researchers.
• Avoid anthropomorphism of animals.

Photographers' Guidelines

Florida Wildlife has a long history of showcasing outstanding and award-winning photography and artwork. In order to continue this tradition, only extremely sharp, in-focus and well lit photographs are considered for publication. We prefer high-resolution scans rather than film to avoid damage to or loss of original work. Low-resolution images enlarged via a computer program or other obviously retouched images will not be considered. We cannot accept soft focus or blurred images.

When taking photographs which include people, look for shots illustrating that everyone enjoys outdoor activities—young and old, male and female, able bodied and disabled and those from various cultural backgrounds. Take advantage of naturally occurring shots—set-up shots are easily identified as such.

Each image submitted, whether digital, transparency or glossy print, should be labeled with the photographer's name and a number. The number should correspond with a separate caption sheet. The caption sheet should describe the action, place and/or person pictured. Include the name, address, Social Security number, telephone number and e-mail address of the photographer.

Images may be cropped, rotated, flipped or otherwise edited by a graphic artist to suit the magazine's style or to fit in available space.

We accept:

• High-resolution digital images, at least 300dpi and 2M-15M. If e-mailed, larger files should be sent singly and as JPEGs. If submitted via CD, images may be JPEG, TIFF or EPS)
• 35mm or larger first-generation slides or negatives.
• High quality color prints, preferably 8x10.

All images should:

• Be shot in Florida or illustrate species living in Florida.
• Portray hunting, fishing and all other activities conforming to Florida's legal regulations, safety practices and to high ethical standards.

Other Policies

All submissions are on speculation, and payment is made upon publication. Payment varies, depending on length, complexity and quality. In general, we pay $50 for each photograph (up to $200 for a front cover) and $75-$250 for articles.

Materials will be handled carefully, but due to the risk of mailing and shipping, Florida Wildlife and its agents will not be responsible for damage or loss of submitted material.

Stories and photographs will not be accepted for publication if they:

• Refer to alcohol or tobacco products.
• Use profanity or picture profane printed products such as explicit t-shirts.
• Advertise or promote a business or product.
• Fail to show respect for the game being taken and/or contain overly graphic details of the harvest.
• Are strictly "trophy" in content—pictures of a sportsperson with harvest or "how I got my biggest . . ."stories.

Deadlines

Mail address: Editor, Florida Wildlife, 620 S. Meridian St., Tallahassee, FL 32399-1600
E-mail: floridawildlife@MyFWC.com
Fax: 850-488-8974
Phone: 850-410-4944 or 1-800-416-4081

The inclusion of advertising, logos or Web site links on this Web site does not constitute an endorsement by the State of Florida, the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission or Florida Wildlife Magazine of the products or services so advertised.