American Small Farm & Country Life

Writer's Guidelines

Thank you for your interest in our magazine. We hope you find the following guidelines helpful in preparing any future submissions. Address all correspondence to: Paul Berg, Editor, American Small Farm & Rural Life Magazine:  Editor@SmallFarm.com .

Please allow six to eight weeks for a response.

Magazine Focus
American Small Farm & Country Life is a general-circulation magazine, directed to hobby and small farmers or those simply living (or wishing to live) in the country. Hobby farmers are homesteaders, as well as those living in rural areas near larger, suburban areas. They raise traditional livestock like cows, horses, goats, pigs and chickens and alternative livestock, such as alpacas, llamas, emus, Jacob sheep, Scottish Highland cattle and other rare breeds. The magazine caters to the on-farm aspects of rural living.

Suggested Articles
The best way to determine if your idea fits American Small Farm & Rural Life is to look over a sample copy of the magazine, available here: http://mydigimag.rrd.com/publication/?i=71728 , Review the issue to get a feel for the material we use and our voice. You can also read archived feature articles at www.Back40Forums.com .

We need informative, in-depth, upbeat articles (about 2,000 to 2,500 words in length) that will help readers better understand and enjoy the rural lifestyle. Topics include: livestock breed profiles; how-to guides; rural, country and farm events; profiles of successful small or hobby farmers; gardening; produce profiles; and marketing ideas and opportunities for cottage industries.

We accept shorter, news-oriented articles (less than 500 words) for our “Happenings” column. We do not publish fiction.

We also need first-person stories of how you became a small or hobby farmer or what you do on your farm today for our “Report from Them That's Doin'” section. Send your typewritten story of 1,000 words or less, accompanied by several high-quality photographs to the address above.

Manuscript Requirements
The best time to send feature article queries is January 1- June 1. News and trend queries are accepted year-round. Manuscripts should be typed and double spaced with wide margins, either emailed or mailed. We appreciate manuscripts accompanied by professional-quality color photographs (digital only). Additional guidelines are available for photographers.

Reviewing Material
We are always happy to review material on speculation, but the best procedure is to send us a query along with a few writing samples before preparing an article. We do not accept simultaneous submissions and require First North American Serial Rights. Please specify if your material does not need to be returned. Otherwise, include an appropriately sized SASE with each submission.

Payment
Articles are paid upon publication. Rates of payment are based on quality and the amount of time we’ve been working together. We pay $200 and higher for feature articles; “Happenings” articles receive $50 to $75 per piece. Accompanying high-quality photographs are paid additionally for any that are used.

Responsibility
We cannot assume responsibility for material submitted, but reasonable care will be taken in the handling of your work.