Writer's Guidelines
California Paddler Magazine (formerly California Kayaker Magazine) is a publication focused on
being the resource for paddlesports information for the southwest (CA, OR, AZ, NV, and Baja).
Published 2 to 4 times per year, it is distributed free through over 200 kayaking, SUP, sports, andboating outlets in the region. Every issue is also available as a free PDF download.
Our readers paddle a variety of kayaks, canoes, SUPs, etc., in a variety of conditions (recreational,white water, rock gardening, surfing, racing, etc.) and vary in skill level from just entering the sport
to pros. Our readers should come away from the magazine with new knowledge of some aspect ofpaddling. They want to read about events, trip experiences (both local and far away), people,
information on training and nutrition, etc. -- in short, information that will help them get greater
enjoyment from the sport.
You are a freelancer with enthusiasm and passion for the active lifestyle, as well as experienceand knowledge of the sport of kayaking. You don't have to be a pro kayaker, but you must have aneye for detail and understanding about kayaking. It also helps to be a good storyteller!

The Specifics
Writing style - articles should emphasize the act and art of kayaking in all its glory. Previously
published issues of California Kayaker Magazine are available on calkayakermag.com, which you
should review to get a feel for style and content. Most articles are 750-1500 words in length.
Geography of Content – The majority of the content should be directly related to California orclose neighboring areas. Articles on areas outside of this are more likely to be published if they are
an area where people from California would likely go (e.g. article on Baja is more likely than one onFlorida). Also more likely if a CA connection (e.g. writer of the Baja article is from CA) than if not.
Categories – following are specific categories of articles and photos we will be running:
oPaddle Experience Articles: these are articles that cover the glory of an area asexperienced through a paddler’s experience.

oSkills: Keep in mind that our readers enjoy a variety of styles and levels of paddlesports.
Skills useful for a variety of types of paddlecraft and levels of paddler are more likely to be
used than one aimed at a small target of readers. The author should be a recognized expert
in what they are writing on.

oCritters: this is an article covering the appearance, range, habitat, diet, conservation status,warnings, etc. for an animal or group of animals, along with info on where one could seethem by paddle craft.

California Paddler Magazine  PO Box 282004, San Francisco, CA 94128
P:650-868-8653  www.calpaddlermag.com

California Kayaker Writer’s GuidelinesoOther: Boat modification for better fit, bout building, kayaking history, or may other areas ofinterest to paddlers could make good articles. Feel free to run ideas past us.

oInterviews, Product Reviews, and News: these sections are generally written by California
Paddler staff.

Timing – yes we have deadlines, but in most cases we don’t schedule when an article will run until
after we have received it and reviewed it. To often we have asked someone to write something fora specific issue only to find it come in late (or not at all). To avoid this, we don’t schedule articles
until we have them in.
Editing – all articles will be edited for grammar, length, and general feel. Even articles fromprofessional writers have sometimes major edits made to them. But in general, we try to keep thesame style and feel that the writer provided.
If you have a great idea or a different angle on a story, we'd love to hear about it.

PhotosPhotos are a great addition to all articles. The higher the resolution the better, but ones taken withpoint and shoot digital cameras can often work. If you don’t have photos, but know of someone
who does, please try to arrange for these photos with your article (but make clear who the owner ofthe photo is). We prefer to have a few to choose from (but no more than 10 – so send just the ones
you think are best). We don’t have time to look through your online library of gigabytes of photos tochoose the ones we want.
Along with going along with articles, there are 2 special sections that require photos:oPhotos - “Center Hatch”: each issue will have a center fold that contains photos that show
the glory of kayaking or otherwise makes people think, smile, laugh, gasp, etc., along withbrief descriptions of the story behind the photo and info on the camera used.

o Photos – Cover: Shows beauty of kayaking, and is one that would catch the eye of potential
readers and make them want to pick up the magazine. Must be very high resolution!

A word on Advertorials
Articles cannot be commercial in nature and cannot represent a sales pitch for a product, service,or company. Even just listing a company or product name in the article is frowned upon. But,writers in the industry will gain benefit through the “by-line”, a sentence or two about the author.
This can contain a brief description of your business (company name, what you do, URL, etc.).

Submissions
Submit your articles via e-mail to editor@calpaddlermag.com. Microsoft Word is an excellent
format to send it in.
Please also submit digital photos with the article, if possible. Photographers are responsible forgetting permission from people shown. You must own the copyright, or have permission fromthe owner, to use the photo (so no just grabbing photos off the web).
Finally - submission warrants that the work is original, created by you, and that you own the firstpublish rights to everything submitted. Articles and photos can not have been published
before, nor ones that are currently being considered by another publication. Upon
acceptance for publication, all articles are subject to editing for grammar, content, and length.

PS - yes, we do pay for photos and articles that we publish!
Peter Donohue, Editor  editor@calpaddlermag.com
P:650-868-8653  www.calpaddlermag.com  facebook.com/CalPaddlerMag
California Paddler Magazine  PO Box 282004, San Francisco, CA 94128

Rev: Apr 2012