WRITERS’ GUIDELINES
Most of our stories are assigned by our staff to professional writers. However, we will consider written proposals.
Your proposal should convince us to cover the subject, describe how you would treat the subject, and give us an opportunity to judge your writing ability. Please include your writing credentials and background with your proposal. A familiarity with recent issues of the magazine is the best guide to our editorial needs. We do not consider simultaneous submissions or material that has been previously published.
Keep in mind that we are interested in telling stories—compelling narratives with a beginning, middle and end. We are less interested in articles that can be described as subjects. For example, instead of pitching us on the subject of the P-51 Mustang, see if you can find a story about that airplane. It could be the account of a single mission, or the story of a single pilot’s experiences with the airplane, or the story of how the Mustang came to be designed.
Every story should have people in it. That includes pilots, airplane designers, passengers, and so forth. Direct quotes are always helpful. Anecdotal interest is essential.
Features run from 2,500 words to 3,000.
We also have several departments. “Aviators” focuses on a single aviation-related individual; “Extremes” looks at a particular and unique airplane or airplane type; “Restored” covers the restoration of an aircraft, and “Flight Log” tells the story of a single flight or mission. Departments run about 1,000 words.
Proposals may be sent by e-mail in the form of a Microsoft Word attachment to aviationhistory@historynet.com.
Proposals not following the above guidelines will not be considered for submission and will not receive a response.
We will not be able to return manuscripts or answer queries that are sent to us. Aviation History magazine is not responsible for the return or loss of, or for damage to, unsolicited manuscripts, unsolicited artwork, or any other unsolicited materials. Those submitting manuscripts, artwork, or any other materials should not send originals unless expressly asked to do so by Aviation History.