GUIDELINES FOR FREELANCE CONTRIBUTORS
BICYCLING magazine is eager to work with freelance writers and photographers who understand cycling and can convey helpful information and passion for the sport. If you want to write or take photos for us, please study several issues of the magazine. It is the best guide to what we are looking for.
We are an 11-issue-per-year how-to magazine that covers the entire world of cycling. Our focus centers on technique and training advice for both road and off-road riding, fitness and nutrition information related to cycling, bicycle advocacy, and racing and other competitive events.
Sold by subscription and on the newsstand, we are the world's largest cycling publication with a circulation of more than 300,000 and a worldwide readership of more than 2 million. Most of these readers are at least intermediate-level cyclists -- experienced recreational or fitness riders, or racers -- knowledgeable and well-informed about the sport. They look to BICYCLING for the latest information and definitive opinions on new equipment or training techniques.
But we don't snub novices. BICYCLING is friendly, helpful, and never elitist. We are the best resource for new riders, and every issue contains material suitable for beginners. Even this material, however, is written from an experienced and expert point of view. We rarely publish novice-eye-view stories such as "My First Tour" or "How I lost 30 pounds by Taking up Cycling at 40."
Our readership is well educated (38.9% are college graduates), and the majority 55.1% are between the ages of 18-34. The median age is 33.4. Although about 80 percent of our readers are male, we value our female readers and never ignore them.
Here's how our subscribers use their bicycles. (Because of multiple answers to our survey, the total adds up to more than 100 percent.)
Fitness 85.8%
Fast rec. riding 72.5%
Weight Control 50.9%
Day-long tours 37.8%
Rec. offroad riding 36.6%
Century/club rides 32.6%
We look for stories with broad appeal, because the magazine serves all 50 states, Canada, and thousands of foreign readers. Information about a local cycling personality in Massachusetts probably wouldn't interest a reader in California, so we rarely publish articles with narrow regional appeal.
We do not use fiction or poetry. We do not pay for newsclippings.
MANUSCRIPT
Feature articles should be 850 (one magazine page) to 2,000 (three or four magazine pages) words in length.
Paper submissions should be typed in double-space on one side of 8 1/2 x 11 paper, with 1 1/2-inch margins. A title, subtitle, and your name should appear at the top of the first manuscript page. Include a cover letter containing your name, address, and home and work phone numbers. We will not reply unless SASE is included.
We accept fax submissions fulfilling the same requirements, but will not reply unless the answer is positive.
We accept E-mail submissions in text-only format, accompanied with the requested contact information. Again, however, we will only reply if the answer is positive. Address stories to DWBicMagra@aol.com
Unless we have previously worked together or you have significant cycling or writing credentials, do not send queries. When working with new writers we prefer to see the entire manuscript.
We buy all rights to published text and/or photographs, including the right to reuse them in other Rodale Press publications or media. We also purchase the right to grant reprint permission, unless otherwise negotiated before publication. Payment is made on acceptance. For information on fees, see the current copy of Writer's Yearbook (F&W Publications).
Keep our lead time in mind when submitting articles. Each issue is prepared four to five months in advance of its publication date. For instance, a story on spring training submitted in March or even February will be too late and have no chance of acceptance.
Like many magazines, BICYCLING turns down a majority of freelance submissions. Do not be discouraged by form rejections or several rejections in a row. If you know the sport and study the magazine, you are ahead of most writers in the submission pile.
TYPES OF ARTICLES
Articles for Novices. We publish at least one article each issue directed at the person just getting into cycling. Such articles are likely to include basic tips for training or touring. As noted, however, they must not be written from a novice point-of-view. Length is about 1,000 words. For examples, see "The 10 Simplest Things You Can Do to Improve Your Fitness" (Nov. '94) or "We Dare You to Ride 100 Miles in 1 Day" (Aug. '94).
Touring Features. We publish 8-10 touring stories each year, several written by freelancers. These must be heavily supported by good photographs that show cyclists (wearing helmets when riding). The story should give readers a sense of what it's like to cycle in the area (including terrain and weather), local color, expense, a dose of history, and solid information and contacts for planning a similar trip.
We generally avoid "road-map" stories, although detailed information about a classic route has a chance of acceptance. For an example, see "The Best Bike Tour in France" (April '94).
We favor adventure stories or articles that border on epics. These are often about places most of our readers will never ride but enjoy reading about. For an example, see "So Close to Infinity" (Dec. '94).
Length is 1,000 to 2,000 words. We encourage you to submit 35mm color slides of your tour, since photo availability often determines an article's potential to be printed.
Fitness and Training Articles: Most of these are written by our staff of expert cyclists. But we're always looking for good writers with a background in cycling physiology, sports medicine, nutrition, racing, or coaching. Tips for fast recreational riding, short-distance touring, racing for beginners, and endurance riding are the most popular topics. Submissions must be well substantiated by experience and research. We prefer stories accompanied by proven workouts, schedules, or training charts. Length is 750 to 1,250 words. For examples see "Training for Real People" (April '95), "Ultimate Fitness" (Jan. '95), and "The Caffeine Questions" (Jan. '94).
Riding Techniques. These how-to articles discuss efficiency and skill on the bike. Even when aimed at less-experienced riders, these stories must contain information that helps longtime cyclists fine-tune their ability. We also do advanced technique stories. Length is 1,000 to 1,250 words. For examples see any issue containing the columns Road Scholar or Dirt Degree, or "Singletrack U" (March '95).
Profiles and Interviews: Each year we publish 4-8 interviews with famous cyclists, coaches, or cycling personalities. These must be "working" interviews filled with plenty of how-to information as well as color. Most of these are staff-written, but we're willing to look at submissions from writers who have access to someone our readers will be interested in and can learn from. Length is 1,200 to 2,000 words. For examples see "Jeanne Golay" (May '95), or "Trying to Find the One That Breaks Me" (June '95).
Advocacy, Political, or Cycling Issues: These important issues are often hard to report with liveliness because they involve so many legal details, and because there may be new developments before we publish the story. A story on the events or concerns of both road and off-road bicycle activism is worth national attention if it's precedent-setting or has some general-interest appeal. You should know the subject well enough to write with authority about the conclusions that can and can't be drawn from the issue. You may have to explain the importance of the issue for our readers. Length is 750 to 1,250 words. For examples see "Death of a Bike Shop" (Nov. '94), or "Good Company" (Dec. '94).
Personal Essays. We publish one "Off the Back" personal essay each issue. These are mainly staff-written. but the column is also open to freelance submissions. Acceptable essays tell humorous or thought-provoking stories based on the writer's riding experiences. Do not send "My First Bike," "My Worst Wreck." or other predictable topics. Length is 800 words. For examples, see "Off the Back" in any issue.
We also publish one Women's Cycling column in each issue. These freelance essays are written by famous riders, women involved in the cycling industry, and readers. Topics range from personal essays on cycling written from a female perspective to solid, how-to pieces. Length is 850 words. For examples, see Women's Cycling in any issue.
Short News Items. Our Bike Shorts department contains 50- to 500- word pieces on new technology, upcoming events, cycling games and activities, odd products, books, videos, art, tours, personalities, and other subjects. This section is an ideal place for a new writer to break in with the magazine. If you're in doubt your idea will work in Bike Shorts, read several issues.
Equipment Articles. This is handled in-house. We accept proposals from knowledgeable technical writers who have access to a laboratory or other testing equipment. Repair and maintenance features are handled by our staff.
Cycling Events. BICYCLING is not a race magazine, but we cover major events such as the Tour de France, Tour DuPont, and mountain bike World Championships. These stories are written by our staff. Mass-participation rides such as the New York City Five-Boro Bike Tour might be mentioned in our Bike Shorts department.
PHOTOGRAPHY
Content: Exciting, inspiring photography is essential to us. All of our features and departments are illustrated with photographs (or illustrations). Riding photos should capture the energy and skill of cycling in a way that motivates readers to go out and ride. We like action shots of experienced cyclists. We prefer models to be real riders using up to date bikes, gear, and clothing--it doesn't need to be brand new but it should reflect current trends. An example would be no "cereal bowl" helmets. We strive to depict female and male cyclists of all races and age groups. Landscape photos with cyclists should leave our readers thinking: Wow, I would love to ride there.
Refer to writer's guidelines and copies of BICYCLING for more on content.
Technical Considerations: Most of our pictures are color but black and white photography receives equal consideration. We also consider computer or processing manipulated photos. There are no limitations on the type of film that can be submitted. There are many excellent professional films from Kodak, Fuji, Agfa, Ilford, etc. We rely on the photographer to pick a film that suits his/her purpose. If you need help, a professional camera shop can make recommendations based on what and how you will be shooting. Transparencies should be presented in easy to view plastic pages. Negatives must be accompanied by contact sheets (11 x14 preferred) or working prints.
PLEASE NOTE: BICYCLING requires a certain standard; poorly exposed photography is returned immediately.
Assignments: All product shooting and many feature stories and department photos are assigned by the Photography Director. In most cases, portfolios or samples are a prerequisite for receiving an assignment. Portfolios should be submitted with return "postage" via courier.
Stock: Stock submissions are welcome on a speculative basis. We encourage photographers to submit photos that meet our guidelines. Our stock rates are: 1/4 page $100.00, 1/2 page $125.00, full page $150.00, 2 page spread $300.00 and cover $500.00.
Submission Procedure: Photos should be securely packaged but do not over tape when sealing them up. Cutting through excess tape can damage material inside. We recommend that a courier be used. We use UPS with an acknowledgment of delivery (AOD) to return all photos. If we decide to hold photos you will be sent a tracking sheet that identifies the number we are holding and potential story uses. There is no need to call before sending. Once we receive your film, it will be handled by professionals who know how to take good care of it, but be advised that we will not be responsible for speculative submissions that are lost or damaged in transit. All photography is returned.
NOTE: We encourage you to provide caption information.
Covers: Most of our covers are assigned, but occasionally a cover will come from stock. The cover image(s) need to accommodate the logo and sell lines. If you are framing in a rectangular (35mm, 6x7, etc.) vertical format works best for a single image. Models should be skilled riders with cover charisma. See Tech. Considerations for gear and clothing specs.
Vista: "Vista" is our new photography feature. It is a two-page spread that opens the magazine. The theme of "Vista" is cycling that is rarely viewed. This section seeks to surprise, inform, amaze and/or delight our readers with a view of cycling that they have never seen before. We want the unusual cycling image worthy of a two page spread with BICYCLING's name affixed. We encourage photographers to keep this section in mind whenever they are shooting.
GRAPHICS
The use, slant, and intended impact of editorial illustration is discussed with the editor, art director, and artist before sketches are begun. Several roughs are prepared by the artist to explore a variety of approaches to the article. Editorial illustration is often commissioned under tight deadline.
Payment is negotiated between the artist and art director and depends on several factors: the type of work required; the complexity of the illustration; the work's intended use; the artist's credentials.
Review issues of the magazine for content and to see whether your ideas and style are appropriate. Send us samples or tear sheets of your best work. All submitted work will be routed to Rodale Press's Sports Group art directors for review.
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