Writer's Guidelines for Arthur Frommer's
Budget Travel does not contain articles on the vacations that an author has taken; it deals with step-by-step vacations that the readers of the magazine will take.
It does not print travel memoirs--funny or dramatic stories of the writer's trips. It consists of analytical discussions aiding the reader to take such trips, with extremely practical and hands-on information, like a guidebook would. We do not write in an overly "personal" voice.
This point cannot be sufficiently stressed. Every day we receive submissions of articles that simply describe a trip that a writer has taken. We do not purchase such articles. Writers wishing to appear in Budget Travel should write about vacations from the reader's standpoint, giving the reader the tools--the addresses, phone numbers, prices and schedules--they will need to undertake a rewarding, budget-priced vacation trip.
It should also be kept in mind that we deal with the very lowest priced of all vacation trips. If the trip costs in total (airfare, lodging, meals) more than $150 a day, we are not interested in it--no matter how great a "value" such a trip may be.
We deal not with "value" but with bargains. We proudly proclaim that we write about what's cheap in travel. We do not shy away from use of the word "cheap," which for us means of good quality and yet affordable. To this end, if your article involves the purchase of a product (such as international airfare or cruises) you should be familiar with the least expensive discounters of that product and include contact information in the finished piece.
Before you pitch us an article, you should obtain a copy of Budget Travel to carefully study our unique format and style, and if possible, check to see that we have not run similar pieces in the last year or two. Because our articles are published on the basis of the details they include, we will ask you to send us, in writing, a detailed pitch of your story idea; or in some cases, write the finished article on spec before we issue a contract. Make certain you have a firm grasp on the topic - we ask our writers to give us insider tips and strategies, including prices, addresses, and contact information. When commissioned, articles should be kept as close to the agreed word count as possible. Deadlines should be adhered to faithfully. Manuscripts must be free of grammatical, punctuation, or factual errors.
We also deal with trips from a national standpoint; when airfare is a factor, writers are expected to set forth price information for persons living in all major sections of the country. Everything in our magazine should have a wide appeal and be of interest to all our readers regardless of where they reside.
Articles should include a sense of why exactly someone would go there or do the activity described. But at the same time, don't over-sell the place or idea either. The facts should always speak for themselves.
Above all, writing needs to be as concise and specific as possible. We prefer a short, punchy introduction of only one to three paragraphs, then go straight into "meat" of the piece describing the topic in detail.
We do not relegate detailed price information to a sidebar; that price information should be in the very body of the text. In other magazines, pricing information occupies a subordinate position; in our publication price information is that the very heart of our editorial message. For foreign destinations, we usually like to include prices in both the local currency and U.S. dollars.
Context is crucial. We like to include pertinent information such as specifics on how to get there. We also describe where things in are in relation to each other.
When mentioning establishments, always include an address, phone number and sample prices, and information such as Web addresses and hours of operation also helps. Feel free to write about establishments that are interesting and offbeat, but always the most inexpensive (or free) around. Quick, adjective-rich descriptions of establishments with key details are better than long, wordy explanations. When listing establishments, be sure to make reference as to how they are organized in the piece - by location, price, preference, etc.
Since we work on an issue at least six months in advance, don't include things that are too topical or time-sensitive (such as plays currently running). Don't include too many quotes by people, and never explain the obvious or well known (like what the Eiffel Tower or Big Ben are). Don't use too many regional, hip or obscure references or words, and if you do, be sure to explain them to a wide audience.
You can feel free to give us your one-sentence "bio," and note passages you think would make a good highlighted "pull quote." We may also ask you to note which visuals you recommend to use with the piece.
By following the above guidelines, Budget Travel achieved the highest newsstand sales of any travel magazine in its first edition.
Budget Travel
Arthur Frommer's Budget Travel is an instructional, how-to-do-it magazine about bargain-priced travel. Its closest counterparts are the computer magazines. Just as PC or PC World instructs its readers on the more effective use of computers, Arthur Frommer's Budget Travel attempts to instruct its readers on the best forms of low cost travel.