Northern Woodlands’ audience consists of stewardship-minded people with an interest in all aspects of the forests of the Northeast. Our articles and columns range in scope, and may include subjects such as ecology, forestry, practical how-tos and tools, nature education and access, conservation and habitat restoration, woodworking, and reflections on natural landscapes. We like to surprise our readers with stories they won't find anywhere else. We are not a trade magazine or an advocacy magazine; we promote respectful dialogue among a diverse community, with the common value of keeping forests as forests for future generations.
Jump to photographer guidelines.
How to Write for Northern Woodlands
We welcome submissions from writers with varying backgrounds and levels of writing experience. Please be familiar with the magazine, its contents, and our audience before contacting us. We rarely accept unsolicited articles and essays; in most cases, we prefer receiving a pitch first. If you are new to Northern Woodlands, see tips below.
Please note that for “A Place in Mind” quarterly feature, we will consider 650-800 word essays that reflect the writer's personal connection to a northeastern landscape or place (broadly defined). Please review recent examples of “A Place in Mind” essays on our website prior to submitting your draft. Send your draft as a Word attachment with an introductory message to pitch(at)northernwoodlands.org.
Step 1: Submit a Query
Send us a short email (pitch(at)northernwoodlands.org) to introduce yourself and briefly summarize the topic you are interested in covering. Please submit clips (no more than three) if you have them. Unfortunately, due to the volume of submissions we receive and our limited staff time, we can't respond personally to every query, but you'll receive an automatic email confirming receipt. Please know that we review every submission and will follow up directly with you if we think your idea is a good fit for the magazine.
Step 2: Pitch
Once we have responded that we’re interested in your topic, email us your pitch as a Word attachment. Give us a clear idea of what your story will cover, and why our readers should care about it. We recommend that you include an outline, showing us your plan, including how the story will progress from its introduction and whom you’ll interview (if applicable). Let us know if you have photos or artwork available to illustrate the story. We will follow up with a decision from our editorial team.
Step 3: Write
Once we have reviewed and accepted your pitch, you’ll write your story. We’ll give you a deadline, word count, and any other necessary parameters. You should expect that the editing process may involve significant revisions and multiple drafts. All drafts should be shared as Word attachments.
Tips:
A good way to break into our magazine is to write for "Knots and Bolts" (500-1,400 words), which cover a wide range of subjects. We also welcome pitches for our syndicated weekly ecology series, "The Outside Story." Some of our frequent contributors started work for us in this way. To pitch an article for "The Outside Story," email assistant editor Catherine Wessel: catherine(at)northernwoodlands.org.
Much of our magazine content, and "The Outside Story" archive, is online. If you’re not a subscriber, read the articles on our website to get a sense of our scope and tone.
Please keep in mind that, as a quarterly, we plan the contents of each issue at least six months prior to the publication date. Be aware of the seasonal aspect of your material.
| Issue | Publication Date | Stories Contracted | Copy Deadline |
| Spring | March 1 | October 15 | November 15 |
| Summer | June 1 | January 15 | February 15 |
| Autumn | September 1 | April 15 | May 15 |
| Winter | December 1 | July 15 | August 15 |
Poetry
We accept four, 130-190 word poems per year and are therefore very selective. We generally use poems that are relevant in theme and imagery for the season in which they appear. Please email your poems to pitch(at)northernwoodlands.org.
Payment
Book Reviews (500-600 words): $150
Features: Begin at $.25 per word for writers new to the magazine.*
Poems: $100
"A Place in Mind" Column (~800 words): $250
"Knots and Bolts" Columns (650-1,500 words): Payment ranges from $200 to $450 depending on length, complexity, and editing time.*
*Payment may increase for established/experienced writers. Please note that these pay rates are based on the writer’s experience, our working relationship with them, and the amount of time we spend editing. We don't mind working with unpublished writers who have a grasp of their material, and we enjoy helping subject matter experts make their prose more appropriate for a general audience. However, the more time we have to spend editing a piece, the less we will be able to pay for it.
Photographer’s Guidelines
We welcome submissions for our "1,000 Words" feature—which is vertical. As the name indicates, we look for images that can tell a compelling story. Photo subjects should relate in some way to northeastern forests.
We occasionally assign photo essays and will consider photo essays on spec. To ask about photo needs inside the magazine or deadlines, email us at pitch(at)northernwoodlands.org.
Photo Format
Please submit high-quality digital photos (up to 5 MB each) via email as a jpeg or tiff. Photos must have a high enough resolution to be printed at 300 DPI. If your photo is chosen, we may request a higher-resolution image. If you cannot submit photos digitally, you may send us a flash drive of your high-resolution images; however, the drive will not be returned unless by prior arrangement.
Payment
In most cases, Northern Woodlands purchases a nonexclusive permanent license for photos, meaning that you retain the copyright and we have the right to permanently archive your work on our website and digital platforms.
Inside the Magazine: $25-$75 each or by the batch
1,000 Words: $150