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PrintGuidelines for Writers, Photographers, and Interns
What is WV LIVING Magazine?
WV LIVING showcases communities, businesses, artisans, and all aspects of living in the Mountain State. The magazine is a positive platform that reminds West Virginia natives, transplants, and residents at heart why they love this state.
The Stats
WV LIVING has a readership of more than 54,000 and copies of the magazine can be found on stands in 30 states and in Canada. Our demographic is 26- to 75-year-old women, whose average per household income is $100,000. The majority of our readers are looking for new places to shop, eat, and explore.
Distribution
WV LIVING is a quarterly magazine, with a 5th issue—WV WEDDINGS—released each January. WV WEDDINGS has a readership of 90,000.
History and Location
WV LIVING began in 2008 as a one-woman show. Since then, the magazine has expanded to include several full-time employees and a growing network of freelancers. The magazine is headquartered in Morgantown. Make an appointment by calling 304.413.0104 before visiting the editorial team.
Our Sections
Each issue of the magazine includes several features, including a “Living in” city or town feature, as well as stories in these sections:
- Spotlight. Spotlight shines a light on a particular place, event, business, or person in WV.
- Inside. In WV Inside, we have the sub-sections of Dining, Shopping, and Lodging.
- Heritage. In WV Heritage, we have the sub-sections of Art, Conversations, and Travel. Conversations features WV books and authors.
- Home. In WV Home, we have the sub-sections of Celebrations, Food, Spaces, and Living Local.
- Mountain Made. This is a reader essay about what it means to be a West Virginian.
To be considered, submissions should be approximately 800 words in length and sent to laura@wvliving.com.
Planning
As a quarterly magazine, the editorial staff plans and assigns stories and photography months, sometimes years, in advance. Some stories may be photographed a year or more before the corresponding article comes out. (For example, in order to feature a snow-covered park in this winter’s issue, you would have to photograph that park the previous winter.) Writers and photographers must always be several steps ahead. For writers, stories are typically due a season ahead, with a deadline for a fall story in June, for example.
Writers’ Queries
We do not accept manuscripts. However, potential freelance writers may submit query letters that include well-defined story ideas and published clips to editor@wvliving.com and laura@wvliving.com. In order to be considered, you must include 3-5 clips, a resume, and cover letter. You must be familiar with the magazine and the magazine’s style. Please, no telephone calls.
Photography Queries
We do not accept unsolicited photos. If you are interested in becoming part of our team of freelance photographers, send a query letter to editor@wvliving.com and laura@wvliving.com. This letter must include links to your work as well as your complete contact information. Please, no telephone calls.
Assignments and Fees
Articles should follow the WV LIVING style guide (given when assigned or upon request), should be thoroughly fact-checked, and include a list of the story’s sources with contact information. Stories must include headlines and subheads and end with business information, as indicated in the style guide. Writers will receive contracts and W-9s upon being given their first paid assignments.
When a story is assigned to a freelance writer/photographer who has never worked with WV LIVING before, the assignment is unpaid for the first time. If the relationship continues, a contract will be sent to the writer with payment details for any subsequent article. Checks are mailed on the 15th of each month after the issue hits stands. WV LIVING does not pay for travel expenses.
Assigned photographers must fill out a photo release form in addition to a contract and W-9.
Blogs
Currently, bloggers are unpaid. Blogs at WV LIVING and WV WEDDINGS are evolving, and applicants with ideas should e-mail rachel@wvliving.com or laura@wvliving.com for more information.
Internships
Currently, interns at WV LIVING are unpaid. Internships are offered year-round in the areas of editorial, photography, administrative, marketing and advertising, and web and video. Inquiries should be sent to laura@wvliving.com. Anyone interested in an internship must be familiar with the magazine and be a team player and self-starter with flexible hours.
We interview for summer internships in February/March with decisions typically finalized by April. We interview for fall internships in June and spring internships in October.
