Monday Markets for October 27, 2008

by Jodee Redmond

For this week’s Monday Markets, I have some magazines written for women for your consideration. Skirt! publishes personal essays, while Azizah focuses on issues of interest to Muslim women. Flare is a Canadian publication for women between the ages of 25-45.

I am always interested in finding out which niche markets you are interested in seeing featured in Monday Markets. Do let me know if there is something you would like to see here, and I will add it to my list.

Skirt! Magazine

From the Web Site:

Skirt!® publishes eight to 10 personal essays every month on topics relating to women and women’s interests. A personal essay is a narrative that emphasizes a personal, subjective view.

All essays for consideration should be submitted in their entirety and be between 800 and 1,200 words. Submissions over 1,200 words will not be considered. Payment for essays varies. Skirt! buys one-time rights. We reserve the right to edit articles for length and content.

Azizah Magazine

From the Web Site:

AZIZAH is the magazine for the contemporary Muslim woman. This educated woman is confident about her Islamic faith and continually seeks to improve all aspects of her life. AZIZAH magazine presents her aspirations and achievements, reflects her experiences and empowerment, and her contributions and concerns as she seeks spiritual growth in today’s world. It is a magazine that serves as a source of information, inspiration and ideas, as well as a line of connection to other like- minded Muslim women.

All articles should be written from the perspective of the thinking Muslim woman, avoiding a didactic voice, and addressing persons or issues pertinent to her. Pieces should contain unique information, be tightly focused and challenge the readers to think or talk about this subject after they have completed their reading. Original quotes and interesting anecdotes should be used to lift the article off the page and draw the reader closer to the feeling of the piece. Statements about Islam should always be illustrated with Qur’anic ayat, and only sound ahadith may be used as references.

The optimum length of regular features and fiction should be between 1500 and 2500 words, special features are up to 3700 words and viewpoint pieces should be no longer than 1700 words. Rates vary depending on the article, and payment for first rights is made upon acceptance of the article. At present, there is no payment for poetry. Previously published articles are not accepted. If a query is accepted, the writer will be contacted and offered an assignment contract with the terms of publication, article parameters and due date.

Flare Magazine

From the Web Site:

Before you submit a story idea:

• Read back issues of the magazine to make sure your idea fits our general editorial tone and audience – working women between the ages of 20 – 45.
Every year, Flare receives hundreds of submissions of material that are not quite suitable for our audiences. A little preliminary research by hopeful writers would save them – and us – a great deal of work.

• Study the masthead – the listing of our staff by position – to determine if your topic is handled by regular contributor staff or a staff member. For example, most of Flare’s fashion and beauty is written in-house.

When you submit a story idea:

• Please do not telephone with your idea. Briefly summarize your proposal in writing indicating theme, main points you would cover and research to be done, and approximate length of article. Attach your resume to the outline, along with tear sheets of previously published work.

• Do not send original tear sheets which you need returned. Because of the large number of submissions, we cannot guarantee the return of material sent to us.

• Never begin work on the final piece until the idea has been accepted and fully discussed. At Flare, we send our writers an assignment letter confirming the assignment and any pertinent details. Flare will not publish unsolicited manuscripts. Please remember, Flare does not publish fiction.

• We try to reply individually to every person but, sometimes, sheer volume makes this impossible and we must send a form letter.