Guidelines for Contributors
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater (PA&B), published bimonthly, is the official fishing and boating magazine of the Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission, and in turn, the voice of the Commonwealth in matters related to fishing and boating, and to protecting, conserving and enhancing the state's water resources. PA&B is a 64-page four-color self-cover with no advertising. About 40 percent of the magazine is freelance-written.
Subjects
The best way to determine our needs is to read and study past issues. If you send us a 9x12 envelope affixed with first-class postage for 9 ounces, we'll send you a sample copy. You'll also find several years' worth of selected issue content on the Commission's web site (Angler & Boater index page).
PA&B's mainstays are where-to and how-to fishing and boating articles, and features that encompass all aspects of the Commission and its functions. The Commission's mission is to provide fishing and boating opportunities through the protection and management of aquatic resources. The magazine's goal is to mirror in its content the entire Commission. For this reason, we are constantly looking for fresh ideas on subjects we haven't covered recently, and new takes on subjects we have covered.
Here is a partial list of our needs:
- How-to articles on fishing and boating in Pennsylvania.
- Where-to articles that include details on how to fish in specific Pennsylvania waterways (or several waterways) and technically accurate how-to information. These kinds of articles should include hand-drawn maps, or marked maps from published sources, showing accesses, main roads, landmarks, parking and hotspots.
- Boating articles. How-to, where-to, fishing from a boat, recreational powerboating, paddling, repair, maintenance, trailering and technical.
- "New" subjects. We like to publish articles that inform readers of the latest fishing and boating methods and trends. We consider only information that applies specifically to Pennsylvania. We do not publish pieces about using specific products or services.
- Articles that show the benefits of fisheries management applications, research results and studies.
- The benefits for anglers and boaters of cooperative efforts among the Commission and other government and private groups.
- Shorts. We use articles of about 600 words with two or three photos for published one-pagers. Subjects include fresh, sharply focused ideas on all aspects of the Commission and its mission, and angling and boating topics.
- Fish & Boat Commission activities across the state and how anglers, boaters and the environment benefit from the activities.
- Nostalgia, humor and "think" pieces. These articles must be strongly slanted to Pennsylvania. We also publish Pennsylvania-based historical articles, Pennsylvania-based fiction ("me and Joe" articles) and moving first-person accounts (in Pennsylvania). These articles must be rooted in the state's angling, boating or aquatic resources.
- We do not solicit product reviews or roundups, cartoons, poetry, games, puzzles or tournament coverage.
- We rarely publish articles that have appeared elsewhere.
Writing style, submitting
We use The Associated Press Stylebook and the Outdoor Writers Association of America Outdoor Style Manual.
We prefer the generic mention of lures, tackle and other products. However, if an article includes the name of a specific product, we generally prefer that at least two more such products also be included.
Articles should be aimed at anglers and boaters with intermediate-level to advanced-level skills. The articles we publish are between 600 to 2,500 words.
Digital submission of text and/or images should be on diskette or CD.
We work in Microsoft® Word, but we also accept text files prepared in other word-processing programs. If you cannot submit text digitally, please have your approved manuscript placed in Microsoft Word on diskette or CD for submission.
Submitting photographs
We require TIFFs or JPEGs that are 300 dpi in size 8x12.
We expect to be informed if a submitted digital image was altered.
With digital images please also provide low-resolution prints or thumbnails to confirm file content.
We also accept transparencies submitted with and without manuscripts. We prefer 35mm and larger slides with speeds no higher than ISO 100. We also accept glossy color prints no larger than 8x10. We require all photo submissions to be original. Complete captions and model releases are required. Anglers in photographs should display a Pennsylvania fishing license.
Boating photograph requirements
These requirements concern photographs in articles that illustrate points about boats and boating, and fishing from a boat. Everyone aboard boats must be wearing life jackets. Life jackets should fit properly and be zipped and buckled. Life jackets should suit the activity depicted. Persons on docks, and those boarding and leaving boats, should also be wearing life jackets.
Boats and equipment should be in optimal condition, including proper numbering and documentation. Boats should be equipped so that they meet all federal and Pennsylvania legal requirements.
Safety equipment should be visible and accessible.
Persons should sit in seats properly. People should not be shown sitting on seat backs or on the gunwale. If a boat is to be operated at high speed (above 45 mph), appropriate safety equipment should be worn.
Show boats operated safely. Boats should be shown accelerating at a safe speed so that they don't create a dangerous wake or throw riders around the boat.
Show generic products whenever possible. To avoid product representation or inference of endorsement, use generic products. If brand names are shown, avoid "showcasing" or concentrating on labels.
Alcohol should not be shown aboard boats.
We prefer that boats show the current Pennsylvania registration.
Scenic shots must be taken in Pennsylvania.
Deadlines
Submit seasonal material five months in advance. For instance, an article on ice fishing for a January/February issue must be submitted in August.
We prefer to receive written or emailed proposals before receiving completed manuscripts. However, we review all submitted material including unsolicited completed manuscripts. Query at least six months ahead of an anticipated issue date.
Please include a SASE with correspondence and unsolicited material.
Payment, rights
We buy first rights or one-time rights for most material. In some cases, with first rights and one-time rights we also buy electronic rights for display on the Commission's web site. If the material you're submitting, or similar material, has appeared elsewhere, tell us when you submit it. Payment for articles submitted without usable photographs is less than payment for articles submitted with usable photographs.
When photographs are submitted with an article, the price for the article includes payment for use of all the photos with the article. If we use a photograph submitted with an article elsewhere, we pay for that use separately from the article/photo package payment. Rights purchased for covers include the right to publish the material as it's depicted on the magazine cover on the Commission's web site.
Contributors need to obtain an SAP vendor number from the Commonwealth. We will provide information to contributors on how to obtain this number. The number is required for us to process payment. We do not accept simultaneous submissions, or similar material submitted elsewhere.
Correspondence
All materials—queries, manuscripts, photos and artwork—are reviewed on speculation. We report on queries usually within four weeks and on manuscripts usually within four to eight weeks.
We are not responsible for unsolicited materials.
Contact information
Editor
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater
PA Fish & Boat Commission
P.O. Box 67000
Harrisburg, PA 17106-7000
(717) 705-7835 (8 a.m. to 4 p.m.)
(717) 705-7831 (fax)
Email: ra-pfbcmagazine@pa.gov
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