Each issue of the magazine
contains five or more features, roughly balanced
between Asia, Australia and foreign subjects.
Generally, we are interested in places accessible
to most divers, not just the intrepid or wealthy.
The types of topics we cover vary widely, from
mainstream to specialty diving.
Scuba Diver features are
usually narrow in scope; we do not cover
whole states or countries. Subjects of particular
interest to us, apart from general dive sites,
are national and state marine parks, marine
animals, and research and exploration projects.
Where a destination is concerned, service
information is generally given separately
at the end of each feature in a section that
includes how to get to the destination, things
to see and do there, and where to obtain
more information. The writer is expected
to send along as much service information
as possible with the manuscript to help us
prepare this section.
We also publish several regular service-oriented departments, with the
emphasis on meaty, practical information. Subjects include photography,
dive medicine, technical diving, terrestrial destinations, dive equipment,
and environmental perspectives. Essays offering reflections on the personal
experience round out the department mix.
What Kinds Of Proposals
Is Scuba Diver Looking For?
We accept freelance queries
for most of our departments. Ideas for features
are generated both by Scuba Diver staff
and by freelance contributors. We do assign features
to writers we have not used but only to those whose
published clips demonstrate the highest level of
writing skill. We do not accept phone queries from
writers, and we discourage the submission of unsolicited
manuscripts for feature articles.
How Should An Idea Be
Proposed?
If we have to sell readers
to consume our magazine, then writers must sell
us with more than just notions and place-names,
so please do not send us any unfocused wish lists
of multiple queries. Restrict each submission to
one or two well-developed proposals that have been
crafted especially for us. A carefully considered
proposal combines support for doing a particular
destination with some premise or hook. A good query
has a headline that suggests what the story is,
a deck that amplifies on that, a strong lead, and
not much more than a page that clearly sets out
the premise and approach of the piece. The query
should represent the writer's style and should
answer these questions about the story: Why now,
and why in Scuba Diver?
Check the Scuba Diver index to make sure we have not recently
run a piece on the topic you are proposing. Please include your
credentials, relevant published clippings and a SASE to ensure that the
requested materials are returned. Mail your proposal to: Asian Geographic Magazines Pte Ltd
No. 1 Syed Alwi Road,
#06-01 Song Lin Building,
Singapore 207628
Tel:+(65) 6298 3241 Fax: +(65) 6291 2068
Prospective contributors doing preliminary research for a story
must avoid giving the impression that they are representing the Asian Geographic
Magazines or Scuba Diver. They may use the name of the magazine
only if they have a definite assignment. When Scuba Diver gives
an assignment, the terms are clearly stated in a written contract.
How Long Are Scuba Diver
Feature Stories And Departments?
Most Scuba Diver features
range from 1,500 to 2,500 words, depending on
the subject. Scuba Diver departments
generally run from 750 to 1,500 words. Compensation
varies depending on the type of feature or department.
Payment is made within 60 days of publication.
What Does
Scuba Diver Look For In Writing Style?
There are no limitations on
style, as long as the writing is lively and interesting,
although a sense of discovery should be at the
heart of every Scuba Diver story.
We want our writers to project a curious and knowing
voice that captures the experience of diving-the
places and personalities, the insights and idiosyncrasies.
Writers who work for us must see subjects or destinations
with fresh eyes and real insight. We place a premium
on surprise and good storytelling-the compelling
anecdote, the colorful character, the lively quote,
the telling detail. And we prefer that our readers
be allowed to experience a subject or destination
directly through the words and actions of people
the writer encounters, not just through the writer's
narrative.
Beyond being strongly evocative of place, our articles attempt to speak
to the soul of diving. Every diver, no matter how seasoned, wonders what
awaits at a new destination. This goes beyond weather and accommodations
and language and scenics. There's a certain frisson of expectation: How
foreign is this destination? What new experience will I have? This is travel
as texture-the feel of a place, its essential differentness, its look,
its flavor. We seek that texture in every story we publish.
