Most feature articles in Recreation News come from freelance writers or outside contractors. You can increase your chances of breaking into the lineup if your story meets certain criteria. The following guidelines can help you tilt the odds in your favor.

Your article must fit our publication. Our target readership is governmental and corporate employees working in the National Capital Region (Washington DC, its Virginia and Maryland suburbs and Baltimore). They want to know about relaxing, stimulating, and interesting activities for their leisure time. Your story must address that need.

Most of our features cover destinations and activities within a day or weekend drive of Baltimore / Washington, D.C.--roughly Atlantic City NJ south to Virginia Tidewater and west to the Alleghenies, encompassing all or parts of Maryland, Virginia, Washington DC, West Virginia, Delaware, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey. We rarely cover foreign travel.

We purchase rights for one-time and electronic use and will accept certain reprints.

Recreation News stories are relatively short. Our longest pieces--those featured on our cover—do not exceed 1,000 words. Long features are a maximum of 900 words. Short features about daytrips, activities, or destinations around the Baltimore / Washington-area are a maximum of 600 words. We prefer stories that are shorter than the maximum with a short sidebar covering a specific site or event. An information box, listing contact telephone and/or website information is required. Contact information, including addresses, should generally not be included in the story. See a copy of the paper for standard formatting of an information box.

We prefer electronic submissions. An MS Word .doc file is best. We prefer that you submit your stories via e-mail. Submit single spaced copy (double space between paragraphs) with no indents. Feel free to assign titles and subheads for consideration. Please see the style section for our style preferences.

Photos are very important to selling and telling your story. We prefer that you submit photos electronically in .jpg files at 150 dpi or better resolution. If you send actual photos or slides, send an SASE if you want the materials back. We cannot be responsible for their condition.

Recreation News strives for a lively, informal style. Our readers are primarily in the Baltimore-Washington, DC area so your article must answer the basic questions of how far the destination is from that area (preferably in time) and why someone from the Baltimore-Washington area would want to visit. Try to give your article a fresh point of view and, if possible, cover some out-of-the-ordinary subject matter. Use quotes from visitors to the sites or the participants in a particular activity. If they happen to be federal employees and/or from around Baltimore or Washington, even better! Additionally, particularly with destination pieces, comments from colorful locals spice up a story. Remember, you can catch our eye faster with a piece about a little-known location or activity rather than with one about a subject everyone already knows about.

We don’t use “pans”. We aim to present the best opportunities, not criticize poor ones. We are “investment counselors,” helping our readers to wisely invest their precious leisure time.

We rarely accept pieces focusing on a single resort, hotel, inn, restaurant or lodge. You stand a much better chance of scoring with us by expanding your coverage to a wider scope. Give us an itinerary for the reader. Include lodging and dining options as well as attractions, historic sites and recreational opportunities.

Recreation News does not accept poetry, “my best/worst experiences”, religious, sectarian, political, or "reflection" articles.

Avoid writing in the first person and present tense. Only use the first person or present tense if is demonstrably the best way to tell the story.

Recreation News uses a modified AP style. Among those modifications:

• We use a serial comma (comma before “and” in a list)

• Spell out the names of states

• Dates are generally sufficient. Do not include days of the week as well

• Time references should be formatted as follows: 10:00am or 2:30pm

• Telephone numbers should be formatted as follows: 800-123-4567

We plan and assign articles anywhere from six months to a year in advance; plan accordingly. In other words, do not wait until the snow falls to query us about a skiing or ice-fishing piece.

Article deadline is always the first of the month previous to publication. For example, stories for the July issue are due June 1.

If we accept your article, we will contact you.

Recreation News pays on publication. Rates vary, depending on length, placement, previous publication and other factors negotiated between the author and the editor or publisher. As a general rule, rates range from $50 (reprint) to a ceiling of $300 for a first North American printing of an original cover story with photos.

PLEASE NOTE: All articles are always taken on speculation, no exceptions. Regardless whether we asked for the story or it is a blind submission, Recreation News reserves the right to reject a submission without benefit of a kill fee if we feel it is inappropriate for our audience or it does not meet our requirements.

If you have any questions, contact Marvin Bond, Editor, at 410-944-4852 or editor@recreationnews.com. You can also check our Website at www.recreationnews.com.