The WMF Archives: Writing opportunity from AARP: The Magazine

Saturday, June 26, 2010

Writing opportunity from AARP: The Magazine

6:00 AM

By Pam Houghton

I recently received a copy of the July/August issue of the AARP (American Association for Retired Persons) The Magazine in the mail. Not that I have any reason to belong to the AARP. It's not like I'm 50 or anything. Geez.

But go with me here.

I recently spent an afternoon browsing through the magazine. (Someone threw it in our magazine rack, and, well, I figured I'd check out the articles. That is all. Really.)

Pretty interesting stuff for people 50 and over - not that I would know, being 29 and all.

Let me share some of the highlights.

1. Valerie Bertinelli interview - it isn't like I was obsessed with her late 70s/early 80s sitcom One Day at a Time. Like I'm old enough for that! No, I only know Bertinelli from her Jenny Craig days. Anyway...it was interesting to read how her life has taken a lovely turn in middle age with a new TV show, a new fiance, and weight-loss success.

2. A nice little first-person article on eliminating distractions aimed at the 50+ crowd (not me).

3. A brief fitness article on managing the aches and pains that come with gardening. (No aches and pains here.)

4. A Q&A with Laura Bush. (She is soooo much older than me!)

And more!

Maybe I will pitch them a story. Of course, I'll have to imagine what it's like to be 50*. Kind of a stretch.

If you'd like to as well, here are the Writer's Guidelines, directly from the website.

*Note: The author of this post has no reason to imagine what it is like to be 50. She is 50. She just thinks she's 29.

Thank you for your interest in submitting a story idea to AARP The Magazine for review. Please note AARP The Magazine will not accept unsolicited manuscripts and any material you submit will not be returned. Additionally, AARP The Magazine rarely uses unsolicited ideas. However, you may submit your idea based on the following guidelines and your material will be reviewed. Note: We do not print articles that have been previously published.

Story idea letters for specific features and departments should be one page in length and accompanied by recent writing samples. The letter should explain the idea for the piece, tell how you would approach it as a writer, give some sense of your writing style, and mention the section of the magazine for which the piece is intended. Your samples should not include the actual story that you are proposing.

Features and departments cover the following categories:

Finance: investments, savings, retirement, and work issues
Health and Fitness: tips, trends, studies
Food and Nutrition: recipes, emphasis on healthy eating
Travel: domestic and international
Consumerism: practical information and advice
General interest: new thinking, research, information on timely topics, trends
Relationships: family matters, caregiving, living arrangements, grandparents

AARP The Magazine does not accept queries by fax so either e-mail your story idea to AARPMagazine@aarp.org as plain text within the body of your message (no attachments) or mail it to the following address:

AARP The Magazine
c/o Editorial Submissions
601 E St. NW
Washington, DC 20049

Labels: AARP The Magazine, Pam Houghton, writing opportunities

9 comments:

Carol Tice said...: I'm so on pitching AARP! They're at the top of my list for ideas. What you have neglected to mention is they are one of THE largest-circulation consumer magazines in the country! And they pay VERY well.; June 27, 2010 10:09 AM
Rebecca said...: One of the members in my Friday writing group is pitching an article to AARP. She read us her article and was afraid it sounded too "schmaltzy," even though she doesn't write schmaltzy. She wrote a good article, and I'm sure it will be picked up...stay tuned!; June 27, 2010 10:33 AM
Pam Houghton said...: Thanks for those added points Carol. Good for readers to know.; June 27, 2010 5:58 PM
Carol Tice said...: Schmaltzy is NOT what AARP is all about. They just revamped the magazine to focus more tightly on younger boomers, like 50-60 yr olds. Read the magazine...it's very straightforward in tone. Uplifting, practical, providing useful news.

Maybe pitching AARP is best left to those of us in or near the magazine's demographic...which keeps getting younger! Used to be 65 was the entrance age.

PS - know what schmaltz actually is? Chicken fat!; June 27, 2010 9:37 PM
Carol Tice said...: Woah, I just reread this...your writing-group friend is pitching AARP a completed article? It's highly likely they won't read that...you have to query. I don't know any major national magazine that reads through unsolicited, completed articles.; June 27, 2010 9:40 PM
Rebecca said...: The member from my writing group said that AARP made it clear to make sure articles are straightforward; they shouldn't "go over readers heads." I don't get the magazine but my mom does.

The member of my writing group knows she has to query AARP. She just wanted feedback on the article she's submitting. They'll probably go for it because she's in their demographic, has a great idea, and writes very well. She's a journalism and psychology major.; June 28, 2010 9:39 AM
Val said...: One of my favorite mags (although I'm not really old enough to know either) :-); June 29, 2010 10:19 AM
Travelauthor said...: I am in that age group. It is a very professional magazine -- has been for the last few years. You could pitch Redbook without being a mom, but both magazines are very picky. It is not an easy target.; June 29, 2010 4:23 PM
Vicki said...: Thanks for sharing this writing opportunity. Although for me, too, it's quite a stretch that soo old 50 mark! (When I was a baby the retirement age was 65 I heard.) ;- D Not really, I passed the 50 mark and consider myself middle aged so what is this 50 years old AARP membership, I can't get over this type of change!; July 2, 2010 7:38 AM