How to Pitch

Q&A with Smithsonian Magazine's Amy Crawford

By Jennifer Pullinger, WIW Member

Smithsonian Magazine , now celebrating its 35th anniversary , is known for its monthly coverage of the arts, travel, history, sciences and American and international culture. For a taste of what stories appeal to its editors, the latest issue of Smithsonian Magazine includes features on Charles Darwin, the Kurdish struggle for independence in Iraq and California's stem cell pioneers. WIW recently spoke with Smithsonian Magazine's Amy Crawford to better understand what Smithsonian Magazine editors look for when they work with freelance writers.

What is the editorial focus of your publication?
The aim of Smithsonian is to be the great American magazine. Our content is diverse, and it reflects the areas of interest of the Smithsonian Institution itself: art, history, science, nature and culture. The main criterion for an article is that it be interesting, that it fascinate our readers.

Who is your primary audience?
We have more than seven million monthly readers. Our audience includes all ages, and Smithsonian's meant to appeal to everyone who loves learning about the world around them.

What are you looking for in freelance pieces?
We get thousands of unsolicited submissions each year, and can use a very small fraction. We're looking for stories that will spark reader's interest in the world around them. We consider focused subjects that fall within the ranges of the Smithsonian Institution's interests, as well as offbeat subjects and profiles of interesting people. All of our features and nearly all of our departments are freelance work. To get a better idea of what we're looking for, it's best to go over back issues of the magazine itself. Our article length ranges from 700-word humor pieces to 4,000-word features.

How should queries be submitted?
The only way we accept proposals is through our Web site, www.magsubmissions.com/ . We won't consider e-mail or snail-mail, and if you call we'll just direct you to the Web site. Send us a proposal or a cover letter with an excerpt, and don't miss the detailed instructions on the site, particularly if you're submitting a story for a specific department.

Is there a standard payment rate for freelance articles?
Payment varies, depending on the subject, author and length. There's no standard rate. We agree on fees and expenses with a writer before they submit the finished piece.

How do you work with writers once an article has been assigned?
We work closely with authors on each piece. We require detailed annotated source lists for our fact checkers, and, if a piece does not meet Smithsonian' s high standards, an author may be asked to rewrite it. We have a two-month lead-time on each issue, but editors begin with authors on stories several months ahead of time. After fact checking, tightening of prose and copy-editing, the writer sees galleys and layout before publication.

How do you suggest a writer who has submitted a story idea follow up?
While we try to get back to everyone promptly, sometimes it takes us longer than we'd like. My suggestion is to bear with us; you'll get a response eventually. If you do want to follow up with questions or additions, send them through our Web site. We find that this is the most orderly and efficient way to handle the thousands of submissions we get. E-mailing or calling does not get you an "in." Trust the Web site!

Above all, what's the smartest step writers can take to become published in Smithsonian?
If you're interested in becoming a Smithsonian writer, the most important thing you can do is familiarize yourself with the publication. Pore over back issues, learn our house style and tone and get an idea of the subject matter we publish. If you would like to write for a particular department, make sure you know what that department is all about. Above all, don't send us proposals for articles on subjects we've already covered. We're looking for fresh, original ideas and your best bet is to send us a proposal that will make the editor interested in learning more.

For more information, visit Smithsonian at www.smithsonianmag.si.edu/ .

To submit a story idea to Smithsonian , visit www.magsubmissions.com/ . This link covers their writer's guidelines more thoroughly as well as other frequently asked questions that a freelance writer might have.