Writing for International Markets

by Raymond J.G. Wells

Writing for international markets can be a feasible goal for fledgling writers just as it is for a surprisingly large number of freelance veterans. There are of course, some basic guidelines that should be followed but in many instances it could prove easier to sell manuscripts to international markets than to US based publications. The US may be the largest English language literary market in the world but it’s also very competitive and it’s by no means an easy market to sell to.

For international markets as for any other market, the aspiring contributor needs to undertake diligent market research. Indeed the process of market research should ideally precede the writing of a query or an article. Experienced freelancers often suggest that the writer identifies at least three possible markets for the intended article; this will improve the chances of publication.

How do you identify the target markets? There are a number of options. Suppose you have written or intend to write an interesting round-up type travel piece on the lovely baroque city of Prague that you visited last fall. You also want to try to tackle a non-US market and it’s crossed your mind that British magazines might be a possible outlet. One way of identifying markets would be to head for a good library and search out publications such as the Writers’ and Artists’ Yearbook (A and C Black), The Writers’ Handbook (Macmillan/PEN) or 1000 Markets for Freelance Writers (Piatkus). Another excellent source for both British and European markets is Willings Press Guide. These are all good reference sources for the freelance writer for magazines. Another option if you have access to the Internet is to search Yahoo, Alltheweb, Hotbot, Google or other search engines for British Magazines. You may well find some travel magazines are online, for instance, TNT Magazine,  Love 2 Travel, and Travellerseye, are all UK based travel publications with an electronic version.

You should not limit your searching to travel magazines for it is quite possible that lifestyle or other types of publications would be interested in an article on Prague. You might, for example, try in-flight magazines of airlines which include Prague among their destinations. Or The Prague Tribune which publishes interviews, cultural, sports and travel stories as well as features on economic and business issues, technology, real estate, finance and stock markets, and more in the Czech and Slovak Republics. If you search the guidelines database of Worldwide Freelance Writer or other writing sites you may get ideas for further possible market outlets. 

Having identified a number of potential markets you need to read the writer’s guidelines very carefully and then obtain a copy of the magazine you are keen to write for. You will find it is wise to study the readership and discover what the magazine’s readers are interested in reading. Get to know the in-house format, style, content, the preferred article length, whether sidebars are used, photographic requirements and the procedure for making submissions. Does the editor prefer a query or will he or she accept a unsolicited article on spec? Are e-mail submissions acceptable? Should manuscripts be submitted on diskette? What about snail mail? 

Usually most editors will require you to include your name, address and telephone numbers on at least the first page of your manuscript and on the back of each photograph. Many also like you to include a short biography at the end of the manuscript. You should include your e-mail address if you have one and a word count. 

As far as writing the article is concerned you should try to ensure you come up with a catchy title for you need to capture the editor’s and reader’s attention straight away. You will need to write a short, punchy, lead line to arouse the reader’s interest and include a lively opening paragraph to “hook” the reader. The body of your feature article provides the bulk of information related to the topic. Aim to make your article lively through the use of quotes and anecdotes and try to keep the text flowing. Do make sure it is easy to read, 
this can best be achieved through the use of short sentences and active verbs. Take great care in the writing of the “wrap up” paragraph which, in many instances, comprises an interesting synopsis of what the article was all about. Did the editor require a sidebar containing practical information of how to get there, where to stay, where to eat etc? Have you followed the editor’s guidelines regarding preferred length. If you follow all of these guidelines you will have more than a modest chance of success. 

Most of these guidelines are applicable to article submissions to the US, Britain, Australia, New Zealand or wherever else the magazine is published. However, it is worth bearing in mind that there may be a few additional or specific requirements when you aim to publish in international markets. Is American English or British English is preferred? If submitting a hard copy by post have you enclosed an International Reply Coupon (IRC), with your manuscript? Is the travel information included in the sidebar relevant to the readership of the magazines? Are prices quoted in a currency that the readers can be expected to use?

Most international publishers will require you to accord them rights pertaining to their home base, e.g., British-based magazines will usually insist upon First British Serial Rights. Some will require confirmation in writing that the article has not been previously published in the UK. Some international magazines, for example, International Living, request contributors to accord them sole rights for a period of 90 days. A number of publishers when accepting submissions for print magazines also require the rights to publish the article online. Others specify that the accepted article cannot be published in a competitive magazine for a specified period of time such as six months. With so many publishers now having online and print magazines it is wise to be clear precisely what rights the Editor requires.

There are many opportunities for the freelance writer in international markets. There are thousands of magazines with a huge diversity in style, content and readership and a sizeable proportion of their output is purchased from freelance writers. Many of these are also prepared to accept contribution’s from new writer’s, especially those freelancers who have developed original ideas for informative, tightly written and entertaining feature articles geared to the interest of the readership.

Happy writing! 

About the Author

Raymond J.G. Wells is a British-born economist and writer currently living and working in Malaysia. Among his writing credits are articles in International Living, Far East Traveller, Scribe and Quill, Writer's Forum, Canadian Writer's Journal and Asian Trail.

Copyright © Raymond J.G. Wells

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