i was always wondering how one becomes an article writer for a gun magazine. i have always wanted to do it. i have always been intrigued by the things that they get to do, and then write up there opinions on the subject. i just don't know how to go about and start. any suggestions? thanks guys, Brian
how dose one become...
- Thread starter brian923
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BoydAllen
Gold $$ Contributor
Pick and interesting topic. Write an article about it. Go over it about 15 or 20 times and then turn it over to someone who will tell you the absolute truth, and is an avid reader. Have him critique it, in detail. Rewrite it until he,or she) is happy with the result, then send a copy to a magazine that publishes articles similar to yours, and see what happens. You may get lucky, or you may accumulate a stack of rejections. In any case keep writing. After a while, go back and look over the first stuff that you wrote. You should be able to see the flaws that were hard to detect when you first involved in those projects. One doesn't learn to write by talking and wishing. Pick something and write about it. Good luck.
Boyd Allen
Boyd Allen
Forum Boss
Administrator
My advice is a little contrary, based on producing two published books,one for National Geographic) and quite a few magazine articles.
#1 Get a good digital camera. Learn how to use it. I mean really learn how to use it. Understand depth of field. Learn to frame your photos properly. Understand color temperature. Learn to use daylight fill flash. Learn about saturation. Find out how to get razor sharp focus.
#2 Find someone in the shooting world who has done something special--who has a story to tell. Or find an event that is "off the radar" but visually interesting--such as mounted shooting or summer biathlon.
#3 Once you have your photos, make an outline. Put the most significant points at the top.
In terms of selling your story, it is hard to "crack" the major newstand magazines--for a zillion reasons, many of which don't make sense. But Precision Shooting is always looking for articles. If you have good technical photos and a topic of interest, and you can write complete sentences, getting an article in PS is an achievable goal.
But the world is becoming more "visual" every day. And there are many more good writers than there are decent photographers. As an editor, I can create a crowd-pleasing 2000-word story from a 30-minute interview on tape IF I have the photos. IF I don't have the photos,and video if possible), it has to be a really superbly written story to be worthy of printing.
Become a good photographer and doors will open sooner than spending years trying to be the next Paul Theroux or Michael Crichton.
#1 Get a good digital camera. Learn how to use it. I mean really learn how to use it. Understand depth of field. Learn to frame your photos properly. Understand color temperature. Learn to use daylight fill flash. Learn about saturation. Find out how to get razor sharp focus.
#2 Find someone in the shooting world who has done something special--who has a story to tell. Or find an event that is "off the radar" but visually interesting--such as mounted shooting or summer biathlon.
#3 Once you have your photos, make an outline. Put the most significant points at the top.
In terms of selling your story, it is hard to "crack" the major newstand magazines--for a zillion reasons, many of which don't make sense. But Precision Shooting is always looking for articles. If you have good technical photos and a topic of interest, and you can write complete sentences, getting an article in PS is an achievable goal.
But the world is becoming more "visual" every day. And there are many more good writers than there are decent photographers. As an editor, I can create a crowd-pleasing 2000-word story from a 30-minute interview on tape IF I have the photos. IF I don't have the photos,and video if possible), it has to be a really superbly written story to be worthy of printing.
Become a good photographer and doors will open sooner than spending years trying to be the next Paul Theroux or Michael Crichton.
I miss the days of Jon Sundra, Skeeter Skelton, Bob Milek, Finn Agaard { SP }, etc. Some of the current crop of 'writers' are a bit of a joke. They feel the need to put on some outlandish costume so they look the part of the gun they are 'testing'. If they are testing a 'tactical' shotgun you will see their pic with a full combat harness on, mag pouches full of AR mags, AR slung over the back,'tactical' pistol in a holster, snow thrown on the gun, etc etc. Jeez, you're just writing an article on some gun, not recreating the storming of Baghdad.
Or they are out in the 'woods' stalking some hapless game animal. All their Cabela's duds look like it just came out of the wrapper [ which it probably did ]. The 'woods' they are in is probably just a little shady spot in the backyard or on the corporate grounds.
And don't do like I saw in a now defunct bracket racing mag. Wa la. Took me a week to figure that one out.
ETA: With your title to this thread I can't decide if you are not going to make it or if you are perfect for the modern era of 'print profesconals'.
Or they are out in the 'woods' stalking some hapless game animal. All their Cabela's duds look like it just came out of the wrapper [ which it probably did ]. The 'woods' they are in is probably just a little shady spot in the backyard or on the corporate grounds.
And don't do like I saw in a now defunct bracket racing mag. Wa la. Took me a week to figure that one out.
ETA: With your title to this thread I can't decide if you are not going to make it or if you are perfect for the modern era of 'print profesconals'.
Spotcheck_Billy
There's lots of good advice here, but I'd like to add one thing and that's .........
REALLY know what you're talking about!
REALLY know what you're talking about!
Brian, a few years ago I asked the same question. My first article was a freebie that was published in the Varmint Hunter Magazine.
A few years after that one, I asked Dick Wright if he thought PS would entertain writings from a novice such as me. He told me to write an article, with three copies, a floppy disc, and any pictures and submit it to Dave Brennan. That was in 2002 and I have been writing for them since.
Boyd, Stiller and others who have actually written articles gave good advice and some on this thread gave you a bunch of bull. Listen to the ones who have actually written articles and good luck. James Mock
A few years after that one, I asked Dick Wright if he thought PS would entertain writings from a novice such as me. He told me to write an article, with three copies, a floppy disc, and any pictures and submit it to Dave Brennan. That was in 2002 and I have been writing for them since.
Boyd, Stiller and others who have actually written articles gave good advice and some on this thread gave you a bunch of bull. Listen to the ones who have actually written articles and good luck. James Mock
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