The mission of Outside magazine:
To inspire active participation in the world outside through award-winning coverage of the people, sports, places, adventure, discoveries, healthy and fitness, gear and apparel, trends, and events that make up an active lifestyle.
Contributor guidelines
Outside is a monthly national magazine dedicated to covering the people, sports and activities, politics, art, literature, and hardware of the outdoors. Although our features are usually assigned to a regular stable of experienced and proven writers, we’re always interested in new authors and their ideas. In particular, we look for articles on outdoor events, regions, and activities; informative seasonal service pieces; sports and adventure travel pieces; profiles of engaging outdoor characters; and investigative stories on environmental issues.
Queries should present a clear, original, and provocative thesis, not merely a topic or idea, and should reflect familiarity with the magazine’s content and tone. Features are generally 1,500 to 5,000 words in length. Dispatches articles (100 to 800 words) cover timely news, events, issues, and short profiles. Destinations pieces (300 to 1,000 words) include places, news, and advice for adventurous travelers. Review articles (200 to 1,500 words) examine and evaluate outdoor gear and equipment.
Print Guidelines
Please send queries (not manuscripts) and two or three relevant clips along with a self-addressed stamped envelope to: Editorial Department, Outside magazine, 400 Market St., Santa Fe, New Mexico, 87501. If interested in your story, we will respond within six to eight weeks.
Photographers’ Guidelines
We rely on regular contributors for many images, but we are always open to innovative work that creatively reflects the essence of the magazine.
Features represent the best of outdoor writing and photography. Exposure is a gallery-style section devoted to showcasing exceptionally engaging photography and its creators. Parting Shot, the last image in the magazine, is a signature page that highlights a single image with a humorous twist.
Please send Exposure and Parting Shot submissions as low-res JPGs or a link to a web gallery to photo@outsidemag.com
Outside Online
To do a better job of presenting our content and integrating yours, we’ve redesigned the site’s look and structure, and we think you’ll find Outside Online easier and more fun to use in its new form. That form is constantly evolving, so let us know what you’d like to see. We not only welcome your feedback, we rely on it. We hope you share our excitement about Outside Online and its endless possibilities. Please return often to participate and watch us continue to grow.
