Contributing to The Iowan

Guidelines for Writers and Photographers Contributing to The Iowan

About Us: The Iowan is a bimonthly, general-interest magazine that showcases interesting people, places, and activities found throughout our state. Topics include art, architecture, history, culture, nature, travel, recreation, work and community life, as well as the contributions made by Iowans from all walks of life. The overarching purpose of The Iowan is to help readers discover and rediscover Iowa’s coveted quality of life. The majority of our readers reside in the state. Many, however, live elsewhere, and for them the magazine is a reminder of the home they once knew and the character they still admire.

Writers: The Iowan’s features are generally assigned to a limited number of freelancers with whom we have established a working relationship. However, we do review unsolicited story ideas. We request that you present your proposal in a query letter — via email or regular mail rather than sending us a completed manuscript (addresses below). We’re partial to features with good visual potential that can be captured by the author or by one of our freelance photographers. Enclosing snapshots or photocopies of photos with your proposal can help us determine a story’s photographic possibilities. Writing in The Iowan is vivid and descriptive, and employs basic storytelling formulas. Details should transport the reader and encourage further exploration. We want to not only go places but to meet the people there, hear their voices. We’re interested in original, unpublished work that offers profiles of interesting people, new looks at historical events, and stories about trends or new ideas affecting the way people live, work and play in the state.  The Iowan will also review essays of 800-1,000 words describing shared Iowa experiences.

Photographers: The Iowan welcomes for review any photographic material pertaining to Iowa — landscapes, main streets, hot spots, hidden gems, preserved history, food, frivolity, performances, events, local flavor, unique moments, noteworthy locales, and, of course, Iowans themselves. We are especially interested in photos that show us Iowa’s faces. Images need not be related to a particular story.

For a list of stock photo needs for 2009:   click here.

For technical submission information:    click here.

For submission forms:   click here.

Payment: Rates are negotiated individually with writers — based on assignment complexity, necessary research and interviews, word count, and turnaround time — and with photographers — based on assignment complexity and necessary volume. Under certain circumstances, the magazine pays pre-approved expenses.

Contacting us: Please keep in mind that we plan individual issues at least nine months in advance. The Iowan cannot guarantee a response to unsolicited queries, and, due to the high volume received, we are unable to return unsolicited material. Do not send anything to us that you need returned. (Note: The Iowan cannot be held responsible for the loss or damage of unsolicited materials.)

Send all materials to Beth Wilson, Editor, The Iowan, at 218 6th Ave., Des Moines, IA 50309, email editor@iowan.com or COMPLETE THE CONTRIBUTION FORM BELOW.

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All content © 2009 The Iowan/Pioneer Communications, Inc., and may not be used, reproduced, or altered in any way without prior written permission.