Writers' & Photographers' Guidelines

WRITERS' SPECIFICATIONS (8/08) (Click here for photographers' specifications)

Vermont Life is interested in any article, query, story idea, photograph or photo essay that has to do with Vermont. As the state magazine, we are most interested in pieces that present positive aspects of life within the state's borders. We have no rules, however, about avoiding controversy when the presentation of the controversial subject can illustrate some aspect of Vermont's unique character. With most ideas, we prefer written queries first. No phone queries, please.

Articles are seldom planned for inclusion in Vermont Life before they have been accepted and received in this office. We often work as much as a year in advance in preparing articles for publication, a fact that contributors should bear in mind.

Our text rates for feature articles range between $350 and $900 depending on the length and research involved in preparing the manuscript. Most articles run approximately 1,000 words. We buy first North American Serial Rights to the article (more detailed information is in the assignment contract). The copyright normally reverts to the author after Vermont Life publishes the article. We normally do not publish poetry.

When submitting articles, please send them to us by e-mail to editors@vtlife.com and include a complete list of your sources: names and phone numbers of people who can confirm the facts in your story, as well as books or other sources that were used to write the article. Let your sources know they are likely to be called by someone from Vermont Life checking facts, but that no one will read the article back to them. While Vermont Life makes a strong effort to check the facts in all articles, it is essential that the article is thoroughly fact checked before submission.


PHOTOGRAPHERS' SPECIFICATIONS (8/08)

Vermont Life uses digital photos (preferred) from cameras of at least 6 megapixels, original color transparencies (35-mm slides and medium or larger format transparencies), and black and white prints. We do not accept color prints or transparencies made from prints or negatives. Photographs should be current — taken within the last five years.

In each issue of the magazine, a number of pages are set aside for purely scenic photography, ranging from landscapes to activities in a Vermont setting. Submissions for this section must be made by

  • July 15 for winter
  • October 15 for spring
  • January 15 for summer
  • April 15 for autumn

Submissions for the Vermont Life calendars should be made by September 15.

Please limit your submission to one per project with no more than 150 transparencies. Enclose your self-addressed stamped envelope or a check for return postage with your submission. Transparencies are returned by certified mail only if appropriate postage is included. We take no responsibility for unsolicited materials. Be sure your name and the location of the photo are on each transparency, and enclose transparencies in a plastic sleeve for convenience of viewing as well as protection. Location information can be submitted on a separate sheet, if necessary. Transparencies not selected will be returned as soon as a decision is made. We will pay first class postage for return of transparencies used in the magazine or calendars upon publication. Because we are part of a state agency with limited resources, we cannot accept transparencies with a delivery memo stating specific dollar valuations, holding fees, arbitration agreements or the like. We do, however, take the utmost care of each transparency.

Digital photos should be sent on CDs or DVDs as RAW files (preferred), high-resolution TIFFs or jpegs without compression. Please include low-res versions of all images. Note: RAW files with low-res jpegs for viewing and with Adobe RGB color profile are preferred. Include color contact sheets of all images in a readable size and sharp resolution — no more than nine images per page. Include a simple caption sheet. Digital photos will not be returned unless otherwise specified.

Pictures selected for use in the magazine are bought for one-time use only for $75 to $500. Occasionally we will seek permission for a second use in calendars or other products, for which there is additional remuneration. Please refer to the reverse side of this page for our current stock photo payment rates. Payment for any photographs selected for use by Vermont Life includes the possible reproduction of those photographs in connection with the advertising and promotion of Vermont Life and at the Vermont Life website.

The photographic assignment rate is $250 per day. Expenses for assignments must be pre-approved. We pay for scenics on publication and assignments on acceptance.

STOCK PHOTO PAYMENTS

MAGAZINE
Cover 1 — $500
Inside two-page — $250
1 1/3 to 1 ½ pages $200
Inside full page — $150
Inside ½ page — $100
Less than ½ page — $75
Picture Postscript — $150

WALL CALENDAR
Cover photo original — $200
Cover photo reuse — $100
Inside original photos — $150

VERMONT SEASONS CALENDAR
(Same payments as Wall Calendar)

DESK CALENDAR (same photos as wall calendar)
Cover photo — $100
Cover photo reuse — $50
Inside photos — $75

ENGAGEMENT BOOK
Cover photo original — $150
Inside original photos — $75
Any photo reuse — $50

POCKET CALENDAR
Cover photo original — $150
Any photo reuse — $50

MISCELLANEOUS
Catalog cover photo — $250
Subscription gift card — $125
Subscription gift card reprint — $50

For more information please contact us at:
Submission Guidelines
Vermont Life Magazine
6 Baldwin Street
Montpelier, VT 05602-2100

or E-Mail: GUIDELINES