Writer & Photographer Guidelines
Scuba Sport Magazine is the only diving publication geared exclusively for the recreational diver.
Diving news, diving-related articles and diving destination pieces are accepted on “spec”; meaning you are welcome to send in articles you have previously written that have NOT appeared in any other publication, or on the Internet. These articles, as well as article queries, are assumed to be singular submissions. Although not required, the chances of a “spec” article getting published increase when accompanied by quality photos.
Writer must notify Scuba Sport Magazine if the submission has been offered to other publications simultaneously.
Diving feature articles should be 2000-2500 words in length. Diving destination pieces that are not feature articles should be 1200-1500 words in length. When submitting an article or an article query, please do not pitch a dive site “round-up” (examples “South Florida Reefs”, or any type of “Best of” article), or a ” How I Got Certified to Dive in (Bahamas, Bonaire, Belize, Aruba, or random destination here)”. You were bored reading these articles when they were written by someone else, so imagine how bored readers will be with yours.
A destination piece should have a unique angle or story to tell. A good example of this was in the May 2012 issue. The article titled “In the Company of Giants” talked about the whales off of the Dominican Republic. Be sure you have read at least the last two issues before submitting queries or articles to ensure we didn’t just cover that destination or subject, and that you have an understanding of the types of articles we are looking for. Our editor will be very disappointed to find out your are sending him a query and that you aren’t a subscriber. This tells him that you don’t read the magazine and therefore are not qualified to submit a proper query. Also, please consult our editorial calendar to ensure we haven’t either recently run a similar story recently, or already have a similar article assigned for a future issue. Finally, be sure to include topside activities to keep non-divers engaged while divers are out blowing bubbles.
PHOTO TUTORIALS: Every issue of Scuba Sport Magazine features a tutorial on an underwater photography technique. For 2012 here is the run down:
January 2012: Taking Interactive Photos- by Joe Froelich
March 2012: Close-Focus Wide-Angle- by Graeme Teague
May 2012: The Art of UW Modeling- by Michael Lawrence
July 2012: Ambient Light Photos- by Michele Westmorland
September 2012: Macro- by Brandi Mueller
November 2012: Over/Under Techniques- by Andy Murch
The editorial calendar for 2013 has not as of yet been created for this component of the magazine. However, most of the photographers featured are well-known and well-respected in the industry. Most of the time, this article is invitation only. But you are still welcome to show us what you have and what you can do. However, it is best to e-mail for interest beforehand due to the magazine’s policy regarding unsolicited photographs.
PHOTOGRAPHS SENT UNSOLICITED: Scuba Sport Magazine assumes that photos sent to the magazine unsolicited the same as if something unsolicited arrived via US Mail. As far we are concerned, it is a gift to the magazine. No royalties or payment of any kind will be made for such photos. Also, all rights to unsolicited photos will be automatically transferred to Scuba Sport Magazine, LLC.
EXOTIC DESTINATIONS: Although we do cover at least one exotic destination every other issue, please keep in mind that our primary focus for destination pieces include US East Coast, US Gulf Coast, Florida, Bahamas and Caribbean. Our focus is also currently on warmer water locations. An article for seasonal areas such as the Northeastern United States or Great Lakes regions will be considered, but keep in mind that an article involving such areas will only run during the warmer months. This is because it doesn’t do the New England diving industry much good to entice people to dive there when even the “die-hards” will be dry for the next six months. Also, it is highly unlikely that we will publish an article on a northern European shipwreck, unless it is a very famous wreck.
Also, please remember that our target audience is the RECREATIONAL diver. So stories on cave diving, diving to depths of well over 130 feet, rebreathers, tri-mix, heli-ox, and other “technical” diving stories will not be considered.
The preferred method of receiving queries is through e-mail. Please send them to joef@scubasportmag.com
IF YOU HAVEN’T HAD AN ASSIGNMENT WITH US BEFORE:
Scuba Sport Magazine is striving very hard to strike a balance between featuring well-established writers/photographers, rising stars and discovering new talent. However, approaching us at trade or consumer shows with your ten best pictures will not get you on our rolodex. For all we know, you’ve been taking pictures for ten or twenty years and are showing us the only ten pictures you’ve taken that are any good.
Unless you are already an established writer/photographer who the magazine or editor has worked with before, you will not receive assignments by approaching us at consumer shows. Don’t even ask. This also includes phone queries or even walking down the street. As mentioned earlier, we don’t even know that the photos you show us are even yours. It’s just not going to happen.
There are two ways to get into our rolodex. The first is by sending us an article or two “on spec” that end up being published in the magazine. This shows us consistency, and an ability to work a location properly in a short time window.
The second and most possible way: we have created a series of trips where the editor will be on an assignment. These trips are created and organized for aspiring writers/photographers to show what they can do in a “real life” assignment situation. The expectation is that only photos taken by participants will be featured in the magazine article. Those that can prove to us that they have the talent to take “publishing quality” photos while writing an interesting story about the trip will get a chance to handle assignments. These trips are not contests. If all participants prove they are worthy, then all will get a shot. It’s fair and gives all participants an equal playing field (same reefs, same conditions, same day).
The second way is a much faster and much more effective means of procuring assignments quickly as our editors get a chance to met and spend time with you; as well as observe the way you treat other divers and crew.
EDITORIAL CALENDAR
Jan/Feb 2012
Australia, West Palm Beach
DEMA Round-UP
Uses For a Dead Scuba Tank
This BCD Has Over 2500 Dives
Photo Tutorial: Joe Froelich
March/April 2012
Grand Bahama (UNEXSO), Key Largo
Turks & Caicos Aggressor II
Most Neglected Diving Equipment I
Loving and Loathing the Lionfish
Photo Tutorial: Graeme Teague
May/June 2012
Humpbacks of the Silver Bank
North Sulawesi, Utila
Most Neglected Equipment II
Don’t Touch the Merchandise
The Snorkel Trap
Photo Tutorial: Michael Lawrence
July/August 2012
The Sailfish of Isla Mujeres
Bonaire, Florida’s Lobster Mini-Season
Caribbean Explorer II (Saba, St. Kitts)
To Feed or Not to Feed
Photo Tutorial: Michele Westmoreland
Sept/Oct 2012
Is Aruba REALLY that Dangerous?, Florida’s Dive Coast
Carib Dancer (Bahamas)
Are You a Good Dive Buddy?
How NOT to Annoy your Boatmates
Photo Tutorial: Brandi Mueller
November/December 2012 (DEMA Issue)
Sand Tigers of North Carolina,
Colombia- South America’s Hidden Gem
Cayman Aggressor IV
Our Favorite Photos From 2012
How Did it Get Called That? Origins of Boat Terms
Photo Tutorial: Over/Under Techniques- Andy Murch
IF YOU GET AN ASSIGNMENT FROM US: We will provide you with an assignment letter and will usually have a nice place arranged for you to stay, dive and explore. The assignment letter will state article expectations, including but not limited to: length, topic, location, interview suggestions and deadlines. Scuba Sport Magazine does not normally cover airfare for assignments. We also will only ask for one time (digital and print)and first rights to your article and photographs. After it has run in our publication, and the “shelf-life” has expired on the issue that your article/photos appear, you are free to shop around to other publications and stock agencies. We do also reserve the right to use photos in our “Favorite Pics of the Year” article in the November issue and in the “Photos We Didn’t Use” Internet segment that appears on both our website and Facebook pages. Photographer will be paid at our standard rate for inclusion in the “Favorite Pics of the Year” article, but no one will receive payment for the “Photos We Didn’t Use” photos that appear on the Scuba Sport or Facebook websites.
FAILURE TO MEET DEADLINE:(not turning in article and/or photos on or before deadline date without prior notification) automatically removes you from our rolodex for at least twelve (12) months. Failure to complete an assignment is an admission that you can’t reliably handle assignments and you will be removed from our rolodex for a period of at least twenty-four (24) months. If the agreement is that you are to provide photos and you either don’t, or you have to outsource this work, it is assumed that you are unable to complete assignments in a reliable manner, and will be removed from our rolodex for a period of at least 18 months.
WHILE ON ASSIGNMENT: it is important to remember that you are an ambassador of Scuba Sport Magazine. You must always conduct yourself in a courteous and professional manner. While we have no problem with you “playing a little while you work”, this has limitations. Illegal or imappropriate behavior will not be tolerated. Engaging in illegal or inappropriate behavior could earn you a lifetime ban from appearing in the magazine.