Thanks to Dan E for giving us the heads up on Travel Savvy.
I didn’t have the proper membership to get into the How-to-Pitch article on Travel Savvy that came out yesterday. But that was a good reminder that it would be worth my while to sign up. They give the real lowdown on how to break into the magazines they are covering. In fact, the first time I approached Rogier at mba Jungle and BREAK, he forwarded me their How-to article instead of his regular submission guidelines.
Not to fret, I found a great alternative source for the scoop on Travel Savvy. And I got the submission guidelines from their Managing Editor.
Here’s the inside edition on Travel Savvy, Town & Country Travel, and Out Traveler:
Around The Demographic World With Three New Travel Books
From this article alone, I’m itching to get my hands on a copy of Travel Savvy. Isn’t it refreshing to hear that there is now a travel magazine for the Gen X crowd that can’t afford the Ritz. And even better (Larry, listen up! This will be great for your classes!), they are heavy on personal over practical.
“The stories are long on first-person descriptions and are written with a style that succeeds in capturing the small unexpected moments that make travel thrilling. Besides party destinations in Reykjavik and the sociosexuality of traveling in Cuba, the first issue explores Austin, Chicago, and Cape Town. Set in a laid-back but attractive design, longer stories are interspersed with information about quirky travel jaunts, including a visit to the Miss Exotic World annual dance competition in Helendale, Calif. and a rocket festival in rural Thailand to bring on the rains.”
Lets celebrate with ice cream—Travel Savvy is daring to publish writing with a personal touch. First hand travel.
Excellent! Has anyone seen a copy yet? Their website is gorgeous. I’d buy any magazine with hot Mr. Blonde on the cover. Oh Michael.
Contact info:
Travel Savvy
515 West 20th street, 5E
New York, NY 10011
T. 212.366.1011
F. 212.366.1488
E. contact@travelsavvymag.com
Editor-in-Chief
Gina Masullo: ginam@travelsavvymag.com
Travel Savvy
Writers’ Guidelines
ABOUT US
Travel Savvy is a bimonthly magazine aimed at travelers between the ages of 27 and 55. Our distribution is national; coverage is divided between domestic and international destinations. Our goal is to inspire readers to travel and explore by introducing them to the people, events and trends that make the world around them so exciting. As a travel lifestyle magazine, we cover more than just destinations. Fashion, food, chefs, celebrities and design are touched upon in each issue.
Travel Savvy debuted in September 2003, and is growing quickly with each issue. Due to an overwhelming response to our launch, we can no longer send out free sample issues. The magazine can be found on most consumer newsstands, or you can request a copy by mailing a check to Travel Savvy Sample Issue, 515 West 20th Street, New York NY 10011. Cost is $7 per issue; checks should be made payable to Travel Savvy Magazine.
MAGAZINE SECTIONS
Buzz: Front of the book, a.k.a. news. Focus is on trends/the linking of several related happenings. For example, we’ll only report on the opening of one hotel if it’s incredibly significant or different. More likely would be a listing of several hotels opening in one city, or an examination of a new practice in several hotels across the globe. 150-500 words/article
Spotlight: From the hottest restaurants to the most private island oases, the focus is on one star-studded hangout and just what makes it so appealing. Tidbits about who requested what are often woven in. However, this is also an examination of the place in its own right, so plenty of information about the place is necessary. Also helpful: tips on how regular folk can have a similar experience at a lower price (off-season, special packages, junior rooms, etc.) 750-1500 words
Perspectives: A firsthand account of a unique experience at a specific hotel, restaurant, airline, destination, etc. The main focus is on the happenings, not the place, so this is a section best written after the travel is completed. No one can predict the life-altering conversation you’ll have midair, or the hilarious mixup at the newest design hotel. 1000-2500 words
Offbeat: Very different, and very flexible as far as subject matter goes. Writers get up close with unique people or places that you normally wouldn’t read about in traditional travel magazines. 2000 words or more
Cover Feature: A short intro to and Q&A with our cover celebrity. The article is news-and-travel skewed, but should also illuminate the personality of the celebrity in question. We don’t accept pitches that are simply ideas of who to interview; please be able to explain a lead of some sort. 1500 words or more
Destinations: The most in-depth features, destination pieces merge personalized perspectives with more traditional service copy. Four full-scale destinations will be included each issue (two domestic locales and two international). Possible angles: urban development, a profile of a local inhabitant as relates to changes in the community, a firsthand account of a day spent there. Stories will include practical information, maps and sidebars; the writer will be asked for assistance in all of these. 2500 words or more
Food Feature: This piece will serve as a forum for a range of relevant culinary topics, exploring various food trends and critiques. Might be a spotlight on a burgeoning restaurant scene in one issue, or an exploration of different venues’ use of one spice in the next. 1000-2000 words
Chef Interview: Same format as our celebrity interview—an introduction to and interview with a chef who is either well known or notable because of new techniques or an influence s/he has on the culinary world. The chef also shares a recipe that is either seasonal or relates to the topics discussed. 1000-2000 words
Shopping: A short, photo-heavy feature on a cutting-edge shop, neighborhood or brand. 750-1500 words
Design Savvy: Similar to Spotlight, but this time the place (lounge, museum, restaurant, public space, etc.) is chosen because of its notable design or architecture. New developments are preferred. The locale is explained according to its design significance, with a very strong relation to photos. Anecdotes or a retelling of its creation are also valuable if unique challenges were presented or unorthodox materials were used. 1000-1500 words
Cruise: An often-witty exploration of cruise-ship trends, news and experiences. 1000-1500 words
Photo Album: Modeled after a conversation you’d have with a friend about a recent trip—mostly photos, with a few sentences explaining where you went and what you did. This section is mostly reserved for readers, and no compensation is provided. A good place to share unique or funny vacation photos.
The List: Travel Savvy’s version of a top-ten list: ten worst public bathrooms, ten best airport terminals, ten places to sneak in a nap, etc.
Special Features: Anything that doesn’t fit into the above; usually an exploration of trends or a roundup of some sort. 1000 words or more
HOW TO PITCH
Travel Savvy does not accept stories on spec; each assignment is confirmed by a contract that guarantees first-time rights. Travel Savvy pays 10 cents per word for freelance submissions.
At least 50 percent of our editorial is written by freelancers. We accept pitches for all sections; however, new writers are more likely to get assignments in the following: Buzz, Perspectives, Design, Spotlight and Shopping. Our lead time is at least four months, so please keep that in mind when pitching.
New writers should send detailed pitches by mail, or email them to submissions@travelsavvymag.com. Please send two or three clips if it’s your first pitch. We cannot reply personally to each query, and response time is anywhere from two weeks to three months. Travel Savvy accepts no responsibility for the return of unsolicited material.
Thanks for your interest, and we look forward to hearing from you!