Writer's Guidelines
Photographer's Guidelines
Writer's Guidelines . . .
Restless Me is an online travel magazine dedicated to providing a forum for creative, alternative travel
writing. We are published monthly (beginning February 2007), and we look for irreverent,
unconventional travel stories that you generally would not find in most
mainstream travel magazines or newspapers. We work with beginning
writers who want to learn the craft of travel writing, and experienced
writers who want to stretch their creative legs in ways they wouldn’t be
able to elsewhere. Story subjects we are open to include travel
narratives, interview/profile, reviews of travel books and world music,
tips, culture, festivals, events, humor, vice, essays, book excerpts,
news affecting travel and places, and generally anything offbeat and
alternative dealing with world travel. If you’re unsure whether a story
idea is right for us, send us a query anyway and let us decide. You
might be surprised.
WHAT WE LOOK FOR
We want stories with a strong, unique, narrative voice. Write how you
speak. We want to hear YOU tell the story. Let us know what you are
thinking and how you feel. Be personal and conversational. Give us vivid
description. You probably know the old axiom “Show me, don’t tell me.”
That’s what we want. Paint a picture of what you are seeing and
experiencing using metaphors and similes. Use all the senses — sight,
sound, smell, taste, touch. And write tight. Don’t just empty your
notebook; choose the best anecdotes and details. Top travel writers may
write 3,000-word stories, but they are not wordy. Every sentence is
tightly written. For a few good online articles about writing, check
these out:
Poynter Online — the articles by
Chip Scanlan and Roy Peter Clark are especially helpful.
Why Is So Much
Travel Writing Boring? — Thomas Swick’s insightful essay on what’s
wrong with the state of travel writing.
How
To Write the Perfect Travel Article — While any use of “perfect” is
usually a bad sign, this story has some good tips.
Adventures in Travel Journalism — This CNN article on travel-writing
icon Tim Cahill talks about Cahill’s take on the craft.
Our main features run between 1,000 and 3,000 words. Shorter pieces may
run anywhere from 200 to 1,000 words. Reviews of travel books and world
music run from 100 to 400 words. We are in a way creating the site as we go, so even if you
have an idea that doesn’t fit neatly into this criteria, pitch it
anyway.
WHAT WE DON’T WANT
We are not interested in luxury hotels and cruises, or any experiences
that avoid the culture of a place. (That is unless your story makes fun
of luxury travel. That’s cool.) Also, avoid clichés. No description of
“quaint” or “charming” or “perfect” villages. No “rich” history. And no
describing a place as “a hidden treasure that beckons to be explored.”
You get the picture.
SUBMISSIONS AND EDITING
To submit a story, e-mail us at
editors@restlessme.com. While we prefer
writers send completed manuscripts, we will also occasionally consider
stories based on a query letter, provided the writer include writing
samples and/or demonstrate their talent for writing with description and
voice within the letter. We respond to writers within 12 weeks. We
accept previously published material. We currently do not pay for
stories. When we agree to publish a story, we will feature it on our
website. Afterwards, the story will be available in our archives.
Writers retain all other rights to their stories.
Photographer's Guidelines . . .
We are now excepting photos and photo
essays for publication in Restless Me. The terms are the same for photos
as they are for articles: When we agree to publish a photo, we will
feature it on our website. Afterwards, the photo may be available in our
archives. Photographers retain all other rights to their photos.
We only accept images via e-mail. For
questions or information, contact us at
editors@restlessme.com.
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