GRIT: American Life & Traditions
1503 SW 42nd Street
Topeka, KS 66609
P(785)274-4300
F(785)274-4305
Email grit - at - grit.com
Website http://www.grit.com
Andrea Skalland, Editor-in-Chief

Grit Writer's Guidelines also online at:
http://www.grit.com/guidelines/

Guidelines for Writers & Photographers

GRIT is a nationally distributed monthly tabloid publication with a circulation of approximately 100,000.

GRIT purchases shared rights, which grants the publisher the right to publish or republish the work in any form in any country, at any time. The author agrees not to publish the work in any other media for a period ending one year after the date of the issue in which the work initially appears. After this period, the author retains the right to republish the work in any form.

Manuscripts are published an average of two to 6 months after acceptance. Seasonal or holiday material should be submitted at least six months in advance. Notification of acceptance or rejection is made within three to four months. Simultaneous and electronic submissions are not accepted.

Nonfiction

GRIT publishes feature-length articles (800-1,500 words) about topics important to today’s families: American values, outstanding people and interesting places, home and garden, arts and crafts, American history and traditions, family lifestyle, community involvement and service, Americana and nostalgia, antiques, collectibles and travel.

Submissions, preferably written in third person, should include 10-20 quality, color photographs with complete caption information.

Cook of the Month

This feature (800-1,000 words) highlights people who possess special culinary skills, carry on family food traditions or have a unique philosophy toward cooking. Several quality, color photographs capturing the cook in the kitchen, as well as photos of finished dishes, and 10-15 recipes should be included.

Standard rate of pay for nonfiction features will be applied upon publication.

Fiction & Poetry

GRIT regularly publishes historical, mystery, Western and romance serials (up to 15,000 words in 3,000-word installments with cliff-hangers) and short fiction (1,500-3,500 words). Stories should emphasize the positive aspects of American life. Manuscripts accepted omit profanity, violence, sex, and alcohol and drug use. Payment of $100-$400 is made upon acceptance.

GRIT prints unpublished free verse, light verse, traditional, nature and inspirational poems that are easy to read with down-to-earth themes. Limit poetry submissions to batches of six or fewer, length 4-16 lines. GRIT purchases all rights to poetry, and payment of $10-$15 is made upon acceptance.

Photos

Good quality photos accompanying manuscripts are considered. Submit 35 mm color slides or sharp color prints in batches of no more than 40. Include complete caption material. Payment of $50 for front page, $15-$25 inside, made upon publication.

Payment for black and white photos is $5-$15, depending on size and quality.

Looking Back

Looking Back, generally written in first person, features stories of favorite memories, events or situations (500-1,000 words, preferably with photos). Payment is a flat fee of $25, paid upon publication.

Little Friends/Best Friends

Humorous, heartwarming stories about children or grandchildren, or people and their pets (200-500 words, quality, color photos should be included). Payment is a flat fee of $20, paid upon publication.

My Favorite Garden

This feature highlights special and unique gardens, people’s favorite gardening experiences and why their gardens standout. Quality, color photographs must be included.

Standard rate of pay for nonfiction features will be applied upon publication.

Submissions & Payment

Except for poetry and fiction, payment is on publication. No assignments or guarantees of publication are expressed or implied. GRIT assumes no responsibility for any material that is lost or damaged.

The standard rate of payment for nonfiction feature-length articles, upon publication, is 15 cents per published word, and $15 to $25 per original published photograph.

However, when articles are used in departments or department features, the author is paid the discretionary flat rate.

Tips for Submissions

• Include your full name, address, telephone number and submission title on a dated cover letter.

• Submit double-spaced, typed manuscripts. Send only completed, proofread manuscripts, including photos and a separate sheet with caption information.

• Include a return envelope with adequate postage for acceptance/rejection of materials.

• All material should be mailed to GRIT Magazine, Editor in chief, 1503 S.W. 42nd St., Topeka, KS 66609. If writing fiction or for a particular department, please note on the envelope and in the cover letter.

• Submission volume prohibits individual acknowledgments and status updates.

GRIT
1503 S.W. 42nd St.
Topeka, KS 66609
(785) 274-4300
Fax (785) 274-4305
E-mail questions to: grit - at - grit.com
wwbl2006