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Worksheet
Where to Publish Your Non-Scholarly Non-Fiction Articles
Nonfiction writing includes personal essays, call to action, reviews, humor, memoir, history, commentary, journalism, travel writing, food writing, biography, politics, and other general topics found in non-scholarly outlets.
Finding the right place to publish requires you to answer these GAPS questions:
Genre - What type of nonfiction do you want to write? What are the features of that genre?
Audience - Who are you writing for? Who gets your insights: your hometown or industry leaders?
Purpose - What are you trying to achieve in the text? Persuade, argue, advise, or inform?
Style - Is the text formal or informal? Relaxed or serious in tone? Simple or complex?
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Why do you want to publish?
|
Outlet |
Control |
Visibility |
Effort |
Career |
Money |
|
Newspapers |
2 |
4 |
3 |
3 |
2 |
|
Trade |
4 |
2 |
4 |
5 |
4 |
|
Popular |
3 |
5 |
2 |
4 |
5 |
|
Blogs |
5 |
3 |
5 |
2 |
1 |
1-negative 5- positive
|
|
Scholarly Journals |
Trade Publications (Industry Magazines) or Blogs |
Popular Magazines or Newspapers or Social Media |
|
Appearance (Cover) |
Plain |
Exciting industry-specific scenes |
Flashy |
|
Appearance (Inside) |
Black and white with few pictures |
Colorful with pictures |
Colorful with many pictures |
|
Purpose |
To report research findings and build on the academic literature |
To help professionals keep up with changes in their field (new products and trends) |
To inform, entertain and grab your interest |
|
Audience |
Researchers and professionals |
Professionals |
Regular people |
|
Author |
Researchers, usually associated with a university |
Professionals in a field (dentists, law enforcement officers and HVAC professionals) |
Journalists
|
|
Title |
Sounds “academic” and usually includes the word “journal” - New England Journal of Medicine - Journal of Clinical Child Psychology |
Sounds “professional”. May include the word “journal” in the title but does not look like a journal. - Massage Today - Community College Journal - Foodservice Equipment & Supplies |
Short title that usually sounds general or “fun”. - New York Times (newspaper) - Washington Post (newspaper) - People (magazine) - Time (magazine) |
|
Advertisements |
None |
Industry-specific ads (kitchen equipment, massage tables and dental hygiene instruments) |
Flashy ads for products that would interest most people (cars, food and clothes) |
|
Editing Process |
Peer Review |
Basic editing |
Basic editing |
|
Pros |
Reliable, high-quality academic research |
Easier to read and more current than scholarly journals |
Newspapers are printed daily and magazines usually monthly |
|
Cons |
Peer review process takes time, so articles may take months to publish |
Written by professionals in the field but does not go through an extensive editing process |
Not very reliable and could include opinions. Some newspapers and magazines are better than others (Wall Street Journal and National Enquirer) |
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Learn about CopyrightTo be a writer know your rights.
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Georgetown University Writing Center"The Georgetown University Writing Center is a free writing resource open to all Georgetown students. Graduate and undergraduate students trained in teaching writing are available to assist you at any stage of your writing process. The Writing Center offers assistance in topic development, general organization, guidance on paper revisions, and specific or recurring structural problems with writing."
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How a Freelance Writer Should Submit an Article to a Magazine"Freelance writers can decide between submitting a finished article or a query letter to an editor. These days most editors prefer a one-page query letter, usually emailed. But before you pitch any article, you must know what magazines publish your topic."
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All ProQuestSteps:
1. Type in your topic in the search box
2. Under "Source Type" choose More, then select: Newspapers; Trade Journals; Magazines; and Blogs, Podcasts, & Websites
3. Under "Publication Title" choose Show More and see which titles are mentioned more frequently.
4. Search the Internet for those favorite titles -
All EBSCOSteps:
1. Type in your topic in the search box
2. Under "Source Type" choose Show More, then select: Trade Publications, Magazines, News, and Electronic Resources
3. Under "Publication" choose Show More, see which titles are mentioned more frequently.
4. Search the Internet for those favorite titles -
Factiva (mainly business & industry)Steps:
1. Type in your topic in the search box
2. Under "Sources" click on + (plus sign)
3. Under "Sources" see which titles are mentioned more frequently.
4. Search the Internet for those favorite titles
Then search the web: How do I publish in ____________?
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Writer's Market by Call Number: Ref Desk PN 161 .W83ISBN: 9780593188194"It guides you through the process with thousands of publishing opportunities for writers, including listings for book publishers, consumer and trade magazines, contests and awards, and literary agents--as well as new playwriting and screenwriting sections. These listings feature contact and submission information to help writers get their work published. Beyond the listings, you'll find all-new material devoted to the business and promotion of writing." -
Writers' and Artists' Yearbook 2021Call Number: Ref Desk PN 12 .W8ISBN: 1472968166Publication Date: 2020-09-29United Kingdom's equivalent to Writer's Market. This book has advice, inspiration, and practical guidance on how to get published. -
Gale Directory of Publications and Broadcast Media by ISBN: 9781414487960Publication Date: 2015-02-13Researchers seeking descriptions, contact information and advertising rates on print/online and broadcast media worldwide will find all the data they need in this invaluable resource. Each edition contains approximately 55,000 listings for radio and television stations, cable companies and print/online media companies as well as more than 14,300 international entries. Includes phone and fax numbers; e-mail addresses and Web site URLs; listing of key personnel; and much more. -
Editor & Publisher Newspaper DatabookCall Number: Ref Desk Z 6941 E3 parts 1 and 2Publication Date: 2015Lists of daily and weekly newspapers by geography.
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Medium.com"Everyone's Welcome"
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Popular magazine finder in AmazonOnce you have identified the title, go to its website.
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Freelance Writer's GuidelinesOver 700 links to author guidelines
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Creative Nonfiction magazineWonderful place to start
Read the Author or Submissions Instructions when pitching an article/story
- Get familiar with the source for tone and style. Find back issues in libraries.
- READ author instructions
- If no author instructions. Reach out to editors with your idea by writing a "one-page" query letter. (Editor's name, idea/synopsis, sample, contact info), Add at least a 2-week deadline for them to respond before you send it out again.
- READ the contract (everything is negotiable, copyrights, fees, etc.).
- Keep a record of all permissions and research.
- When it comes out, promote to friends and family.
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Freelance Writer's GuidelinesOver 700 links to author guidelines
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Writer's Cooperative Advice"Publications to Pitch (And They Pay!):
My personal collection of bookmarked pitching and submission instructions for some popular publications."
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Literary Marketplace (book publishing)Call Number: Ref. Desk PN 161 .L5Publication Date: 2015"... directory of the American & Canadian book publishing industry covers publishers, literary agents,manufacturers, and shipping services. Volume 1 contains core publishing industry information: publishers, agents, associations, events, courses & awards, and trade books & magazines. Volume 2 contains information on service providers and suppliers to the publishing industry: advertising, marketing, manufacturing, sales & distribution."
Why you do it...
Do you have something to say? Did you find passion in your readings? Do you want a published article to put on your resume? Need extra cash? Want to impress your relatives? These are all good reasons to write for your local paper, trade press, or national magazines. Join us to explore how to find the right venue for your writing, what is a normal publication process for non-scholarly writing, and if we have time demystify the author contract.
