Writer's Guidelines

Writer's Guidelines

Thank you for your interest in writing for Live Life.

We are looking for first-hand accounts of adventurous, independent travel. We do not want stories about tours where you get off the bus, take a picture and then get back on again. Please subscribe to our free e-letter to get a feel for what we are looking for at www.livelifetravel.com.

We have five (5) sections for which we accept submissions. They are:

Features (800 – 2000 words): We publish two (2) full length feature stories in every issue. Features should be informative, yet interesting first-person accounts of off-the-beaten path destinations. The article can be about the location, the journey to get there or a combination of both. We do not want just a list of facts and figures about a place, we want a story that helps transport the reader to the location while also providing them with the details they would need if they decided to go there themselves.

A sidebar including the names, addresses, phone numbers and email addresses of any accommodations or activities mentioned in the story should be provided.

Please submit four (4) to five (5) photographs to help illustrate the story. Photos should be sent via email in JPEG format, no smaller than 250 dpi. Photos should be accompanied by detailed captions describing the location of the photo, the context in which it was taken and any other relevant information.

Totally Griswald (700 – 1500 words): Totally Griswald stories are first hand travel experiences where things did not go as planned. These are the stories that you tell your friends and family when you return home from a trip. We generally like a humorous feel to these stories, however, stories that have a dangerous or scary twist will be considered as long as they have a positive outcome.

We do not require a sidebar containing contact information, however, the more information that is provided with a submission, the better your chances of getting published.

Please submit three (3) to four (4) photographs to help illustrate the story. Photos should be sent via email in JPEG format, no smaller than 250 dpi. Photos should be accompanied by detailed captions describing the location of the photo, the context in which it was taken and any other relevant information.

Tips (500 – 1200 words): We publish one Tip of the Month per issue. Tip articles can be very specific, discussing the locations we are covering that month (i.e. “Seven Tips for Surviving the Streets of Rome) or general, offering advice on travel (i.e. “Ten Tips to Pack Light) or on improving one’s quality of life (i.e. “Learn to be Comfortable in Your Own Skin.)

If possible, please provide one (1) photograph that will provide the reader with more insight into the topic discussed. Photos should be sent via email in JPEG format, no smaller than 250 dpi. Photos should be accompanied by detailed captions describing the location of the photo, the context in which it was taken and any other relevant information.

Reviews: (500 – 1000 words): We accept reviews of hotels, restaurants and books. Although we prefer positive reviews, we will accept negative ones as long as they are written in a professional and insightful manner. No angry bashing please.

Hotel reviews should transport the reader by giving them a detailed description of the hotel. The reviewer should include any details that make the hotel special, such as themed rooms, an excellent breakfast or a great view. Please provide the name, address, phone number and email address of the hotel. Also, please provide one (1) photograph following the guidelines listed above.

Restaurant reviews should provide the reader with a reason why this restaurant is special. It should describe the food, ambience, service and price. Without saying it directly, it should inform the reader of the type of dress that would be required to dine there. Please give specifics on the average cost of an entrée, a cocktail and a dessert. Also, please provide one (1) photograph following the guidelines listed above.

Book reviews should provide the reader with a brief plot summary and general feel of the book, as well as the reviewer’s opinion of the quality of the book. Please include the full title, authors name and a 1 out of 5 rating, with 5 being the best and 1 being the worst.

Photo of the Month: We want unusual and exciting photographs that tell the story of their location. We want photos that make the reader stop and think “Wow!”

Photos should be sent via email in JPEG format, no smaller than 250 dpi. Photos should be accompanied by detailed captions describing the location of the photo, the context in which it was taken and any other relevant information. Please include a title for the photo as well.

Submission Guidelines:

All submissions should be sent to info@livelifetravel.com. Please view our Editorial Calendar at www.livelifetravel.com/editorial_calendar.com, to find out what regions we will be covering.

Please submit the full article, via email, as an MS Word attachment. The author’s name (as it should appear in the byline), email address, word count (not including side-bar) and title should be at the top of the first page. Please include name and page number on all other pages. The article should be single-spaced. Any side-bar information should be at the end of the article, clearly marked as “Side-bar.”

Photos should be sent, via email, as JPEG attachments, no smaller than 250 dpi. Please send detailed captions to each photo as a separate MS Word attachment. The name of the photographer should be included with each caption. If the photographer is someone other than the author, a written statement from the photographer giving permission to publish the photo should also be provided.

In the subject line of the email, please include the section title (i.e. Features, Totally Griswald, Tips, Reviews or Photo), the location you are covering (both city and country) and the title of your article.

The body of the email should contain a brief summary of your article, when the trip took place and whether or not it has been previously published. Please include your name and contact information as well.

Payment and Rights:

We buy non-exclusive North American Serial rights, non-exclusive electronic rights and the right to archive your work on our website for an indefinite period of time.

Payment is made upon publication as follow:

Feature Article (800 – 2000 words with photographs) $35

Totally Griswald (700 – 1500 words with photographs) $30

Tips (500 – 1200 words) $15

Reviews (400 - 1000 words) $10

Photo of the Month $5

When a story is accepted for publication, the author will be asked to provide an invoice for the amount due. Upon publication, a check in the form of US dollars will be sent to the address provided. Payment via Paypal is available upon request.

Please direct any questions to info@livelifetravel.com.