Down East Magazine's Contributor Guidelines

Getting Published with Down East Magazine

All editorial and photographic submissions must be directly related to Maine. Materials will not be returned unless accompanied by a stamped, self-addressed envelope. While every precaution is taken to ensure that materials are safely returned, the publisher can assume no responsibility for unsolicited photographs or manuscripts.
 
Writers

Down East accepts very few unsolicited queries and manuscripts each year. Most of our articles are written on assignment by regular contributors. The exception is our very popular "My Maine" column. These articles are short narratives about a personal experience or a unique aspect of life here in Maine. Evocative of a specific time and place, they are often humorous or poignant. Maximum length: 750 words.

We strongly recommend that writers interested in submitting article ideas and manuscripts to Down East read a few issues of the magazine to get a sense of the subject matter we cover. It generally takes several months for manuscripts to make their way through our reading line, but payment is made upon acceptance. Payment varies considerably, depending on the subject, quality, and intended use in the magazine.

Queries by unknown authors will be considered only when accompanied by recent writing samples. Address all submissions and queries to Manuscript Editor.

Down East does not accept submissions of poetry or fiction.
 
Photographers

Most of the photographs in Down East are made on assignment by our regular contributing photographers, but we're always interested in seeing new work. Much as we would like to meet every photographer, time does not permit us the luxury. If you would like to be considered for Down East assignments, let us see a representative selection of your best work and give us some idea of the subjects that interest you. We strongly recommend that photographers look through several back issues of the magazine to get a sense of the type of images we use.

Aside from assigned work, we find we frequently need single shots of Maine with a strong seasonal quality. We often buy these images from freelancers. We are always working two to three months ahead of the cover date, but we also buy photographs a year or more in advance of their use. (In other words, it's okay to send us winter shots in May.)

Although our covers are usually related to a major feature in a particular issue, we also consider unsolicited images with strong seasonal themes for the cover.

CDs or DVDs of digital images should be submitted for review with printed contact sheets of the images – no more than nine images per sheet. We also review color slides, 35 mm or larger. Color prints are not accepted. Transparencies should be submitted in plastic sheets, and each transparency must bear the photographer's name and address. Evaluation of unsolicited work often takes several weeks.

Sample Copies
Sample copies of Down East are available from the circulation department. For pricing and availability, please e-mail them at circulation@downeast.com [1] or call 1-800-766-1670.