Freelance Writer Information

Weekend Adventures Magazine is a regional travel magazine –its focus is almost exclusively on vacation destinations in Western Maryland, The Potomac Highlands of West Virginia, The Laurel Highlands of Pennsylvania. The magazine was launched in January 1997, and attracts over 100,000 readers annually. 15,000 copies are printed quarterly on newsprint, and are distributed free at visitor centers, resorts, businesses, state parks, and events.

More than half of our readers are visitors from nearby metropolitan areas Washington DC, Pittsburgh, Baltimore. Local residents make up the other half. They are an educated and affluent audience. Our readers travel, dine out, enjoy the outdoors, entertain, read, and on average spend more.

Writers come in all ages and types and backgrounds. Some make their living as writers; others are teachers, counselors, entrepreneurs, and government officials. More important than journalism experience is knowledge of a subject very well and being able to write clearly about it. We are very open-minded as long as the article idea is interesting and relates to the magazine’s overall theme.

Send us a written query about your article idea. Tell us who you (in resume form) are and what kind of article you’d like to write. We’ll let you know if the idea has possibilities. If your article is already written, mail it to us. We’ll respond as soon as possible. If you want your article returned, include a stamped, self-addressed envelope.

Past Articles have included: Fallingwater: The House On The Waterfall, Backpacking in Dolly Sods Wilderness Area, Johnstown Flood Museum Examines Causes, Consequences, Laurel Highlands Scenic Drives, Brilliant Colors of Autumn Leaves Explained, Battle of Antietam Revisited- 135 Year Later, Discovering Victorian Architecture. Check out our Back Issues to get a better idea.

Subjects of articles include outdoor adventures, historical places, dining out, getaways, day trips, equipment, attractions, etc.

In general, we try to help our readers understand the outdoors better, to help our readers relax, and live better, and to make our mountain communities a better place to live.

The magazine is published usually the first week of June, September, December and April. We need completed manuscripts six weeks before publication. Thus, an article for the autumn issue should be submitted by mid July. Include your name, address, and telephone number on the first page of the manuscript. We prefer 8 1/2”x11” paper, with copy typed and double-spaced, and with a margin of at least an inch. Copy does not have to be perfectly typed, but it should be easily readable.

It is helpful if, in addition to the typed or printed manuscript, we receive the article in digital form- either on a computer disk or via e-mail. Articles submitted on disk should be in text-only or in Microsoft Word.

The length of articles varies. We don't like to specify length, we’d like each piece to run at its optimum length. When in doubt, ask us about it.

Our regular payment is $50.00 for features (pieces over 1,000 words). We pay on publication. Again, if you have any doubts or questions, talk to us. We normally don’t pay expenses, but sometimes do when an unusual amount of travel or long-distance calls are involved: Please talk to us first!

Basically, we buy first North American serial rights, including rights for publication on our Internet website: wamonline.com as well as any websites owned or operated by Away Media.