Write for Magazine Publication (1)

Writing for Magazine Publication is a great way to monetize your writing and to test out the marketability of various topics. This is the first of a series of posts investigating the components of writing essays and articles for magazines. See your work in print or live online in just a few months.

This series will offer tips and ideas for magazine publishing. Such as: standard templates for both essay and article pieces, a list of genres or categories, where we find ideas, research tips, query letters, formatting for submittal, and copyright definitions.

What’s the difference between an essay and an article? The essay is all about the writer. An article is all about the reader. An essay is an analytical or interpretative composition whereas an article is informational non-fiction prose.

Today, let’s consider genres and ideas.

The list of Genres/Categories for magazine writing is huge but here are a few for your consideration:

• Consumer topics
• Trends
• Local news, highlighting merchants or events
• Interviews with notable people in a field or industry
• True crime
• Sports
• Parenting
• Trade Journals
• Health & Safety, Alternative Health
• Aging, Seniors
• Retirement
• Travel
• Humor
• How-To
• Arts & Crafts
• Food & Cooking
• Personal Essays
• Writing to Inspire
• Business to Business
• Seasonal and Holiday pieces

Finding Ideas:
Write about topics close to home and away from home.

• Do you have a notable vacation spot in your area? San Francisco Bay Cruses, Catalina Holiday, Queen Mary Dining, Dana Point Harbor, San Diego Zoo, Bowers Museum, Balboa Island – All are a great places to research and begin an article.

• Do you like to Travel? Present a little known fact in your piece.

• Do you have specific or specialized knowledge for a certain topic? Write about it.

• Are you an Artist? Do you paint, work with textiles, jewelry, or clay? Write How-To technique articles for beginning artists and/or for artists experimenting with a new medium.

• Are you into car repair and maintenance? Write tips and money saving ideas.

• Start a clipping file of articles, columns, newspaper/journalistic reports that have captured your attention, interest, or imagination. 

Please add your ideas in the comment section below.

Deborah Lyn Stanley is an author of Creative Non-Fiction. She writes articles, essays and stories. She is passionate about caring for the mentally impaired through creative arts. Visit her web-blog: Deborah Lyn Stanley : MyWriter's Life .
“Write your best, in your voice, your way!"