Article Submission Guidelines

Gold Country Families E-Magazine is a free online monthly Northern California travel, dining, entertainment, and leisure magazine.  We are always looking for new writers to create colorfully warm, appealing, cheerful, fun, and informative articles of approximately 750 to 2,000 words regarding travel, lodging, and dining that are “Family Friendly” or  “For Parents/Grandparents”. The magazine is also looking for articles on California foothill annual events, dining, entertainment, and leisure activities. 

If you like to write, like to share travel adventures, dining experiences, lodging pleasures, discoveries of annual events, enjoy senior opportunities/discounts, or just want to show appreciation for great entertainment, this is a grand opportunity to share your writing skills and fun times.  Gold Country Families E-Magazine likes articles on B&B's, RV-Trailer-Motor Home, Camping, Live Theater, Restaurants, Theme Parks, Cruises, Adventures, Annual Events and Activities, Fairs, Museums, Romantic Get-a-Ways, and prefer, but are not limited to Western United States (We may consider other travel destinations within the US if affordable to US West Coast families).  We do not want anything negative or too exotic that the average family/parent reader wouldn't enjoy, couldn't afford, or physically do ( * ).  We like single in-depth subjects, not a little bit of everything.  Some sidebar material of additional relevant information and acknowledgments should be included with each article.  Photos to compliment the article are highly encouraged.  ( * Exception, we publish twice a year international travels special edition.)

All articles need to be non-fiction, up-beat, and of reasonably current relevance.  No blatant advertisement pieces...if it looks like an ad, smells like an ad, feels or reads like an ad...it's an advertisement!  Please don't offer, "Here's what I did on my vacation" pieces.  We want first-person experienced articles that project an honest trustworthy feel.  All articles should be of general interest, colorfully warm, appealing, cheerful, humorous, exciting, adventuresome, fun, and always informative.

Gold Country Families E-Magazine encourages, supports, and wishes to help advance all new freelance writers by offering them an avenue to begin and/or continue honing their writing skills and develop their writing styles.  From the beginning, Gold Country Families E-Magazine has always offered budding/emerging freelance writers the opportunity to get published and have published clips available to advance their writing careers.  Of course, Gold Country Families E-Magazine will also always welcome articles submitted from seasoned professional freelance writers who have been published over a substantial period of time by recognized magazines or book publishers.
Gold Country Families E-Magazine accepts queries by e-mail only, is 100% freelance written and works with new / unpublished writers as well as published / established seasoned writers.  Byline is given on all articles, as well as a writer's biography following several accepted submissions.  We publish anywhere from 36 to 60 manuscripts per year.  We accept previously published material (reprints) with information as to when and where material previously appeared.  All queries are responded to within thirty days. No-kill fees.  Being a small publication we can only offer published clips and possible comp opportunities in-lieu-of article payment at this time.  However, those writers who support this publication during the non-paying phase of opreation, will be given the first opportunities for paid assignments when that day arrives.  The magazine will not pay for any type of writer expenses.   

All authors / writers upon submission give Gold Country Families E-Magazine 30-days electronic rights to publish, promote, and profit from their writings.  All rights revert back to author/writer after 30 days with the understanding that the manuscripts will remain visible on the website for up to 12 months to ensure maximum exposure of the author/writer's skills. Gold Country Families E-Magazine retains the right to revoke publishing opportunities and privileges to any writer it deems unqualified, unreasonable, or disruptive to the publishing, promotion, and profitability of Gold County Families E-Magazine at the editor’s discretion with or without reason or  notification.

Gold Country Families E-Magazine accepts submissions from writer's who have benefited from negotiated comp opportunities.  Any comp opportunity referencing Gold Country Families E-Magazine in any manner directly or indirectly by name or insinuation requires prior approval and assignment by Gold Country Families E-Magazine Editor. Any reference, representation, or use of Gold Country Families E-Magazine without prior editorial approval will initiate legal action at the expense of the violating writer.

Please send queries with a brief note of introduction to:

Submit all query / article ideas to the editor prior to sending any manuscripts.  Unsolicited manuscripts will be deleted without response. We are a family magazine, no foul language, explicit, or erotic descriptions will be accepted.