Writer’s Guidelines

Read these writer’s guidelines and learn how to submit articles to REPTILES magazine.

REPTILES is a bimonthly magazine that caters to reptile and amphibian hobbyists at all levels of experience, from beginner to veteran.

Query via email. Article queries for new, original articles should be emailed to reptileswebeditor@gmail.com. We do not accept articles that have already been published elsewhere, whether online or in print (with occasional exceptions being made for articles that may have been published in foreign publications; if this is the case with yours, be sure to state that in your query email).

After you submit your query, we will usually respond within a few/several weeks. Please note that hounding us over whether or not we’re interested in your idea will not speed up the process.

Article topics that interest us include:

Pet Reptile Husbandry

Captive care and husbandry articles make up the bulk of each issue of REPTILES magazine. They generally contain a bit of natural history as well as detailed care and husbandry of the animal(s) in captivity. Enclosure types, sizes and setups; food and water; proper temperatures; lighting; heating; potential life span of the animals, suitability for handling/temperament, etc. are all covered. With these articles, we strive to provide all necessary information for readers to make an informed decision on whether or not they want to (or should) keep the featured animal.

Breeding “Herps” in Captivity

Articles about how to breed certain types of reptiles or amphibians (collectively known as “herps”) in captivity are also popular with REPTILES readers. All details are provided, including advance preparation (such as brumation and the subsequent “heating up” of animals to be bred), courtship and nesting behavior, egg laying, excavation, incubation, hatching, and care of hatchlings. Breeding information is often included in our care and husbandry articles, as well.

Field Herping/Travel

We often present articles detailing people’s experiences while searching for wild reptiles and amphibians in nature (called “field herping”) in the U.S. and abroad. Excellent-quality, high-resolution photos are mandatory for such article submissions.

Conservation

Another popular topic with REPTILES readers are articles that provide details of conservation efforts being made on behalf of reptiles and amphibians around the world.

Health

We welcome article pitches from veterinarians with expertise in treating herps, especially those who are members of the ARAV (Association of Reptile and Amphibian Veterinarians) and who are board certified to treat these animals.

When querying, especially if you wish to write an article about keeping and/or breeding a particular reptile or amphibian species, please describe your background/history with the species. We prefer authors to have several years or more experience working with the animals they wish to write about.

Photos. In your query, please state whether or not you will be able to provide photos for your article. REPTILES authors usually supply plenty of excellent-quality, high-resolution digital photos with which to illustrate their articles (if your article is later published, we may also choose to supplement author-provided photos with other third-party photos).

Photos should show animals engaged in different activities (eating, basking, swimming, etc.) whenever possible, both close-up and in full-body shots. Photos of their enclosures are welcome, too.

Digital photos must be sized at least 5×7 inches at 300 dpi, and saved as TIF, JPG or EPS files, and they must be submitted as separate attachments (not pasted into the article document). Only digital images should be submitted (no 35mm slides, prints, or negatives).

Any photos submitted are assumed to be the author’s property. If you submit photos from friends, associates, etc., to be used with your article, we will need emails from each of them granting REPTILES permission to use their photos with your article.

IF YOU ARE INVITED TO SUBMIT AN ARTICLE…

If your query results in you being invited to submit an article, there are some things to keep in mind:

All freelance submissions are made “on spec.” This means that although you are being invited to submit an article, REPTILES is under no obligation to accept or publish it until it has been reviewed, revised (if requested), and contracted. Rest assured, however, that you would not be invited to submit an article if we did not find merit in your proposal.

Writing style and author biography. Articles should be easy for hobbyists of all levels to understand. Examine back issues of REPTILES, as well as articles posted on ReptilesMagazine.com to get an idea of tone and structure. Break the text up using subheads for specific sections. Be sure to include catchy opening statements, as well as a conclusion of some type—don’t end your article too abruptly.

Include a short bio (one or two sentences) at the end of your article about yourself. Use this to illustrate why you are qualified to write the article. For instance, if you write about keeping or breeding a certain reptile species, the bio should briefly outline your experience with it (“John Smith has been keeping and breeding XXXX for two decades,” etc.). If you involved in the reptile industry in a professional manner (such as breeding reptiles for a living, for instance), your bio may also include your website address, if applicable, which becomes a live link in the magazine’s digital edition.

All text, including author bio, is subject to editing by REPTILES’ editorial staff.

Contract and Payment: Once your completed article has been accepted, you will be sent a contract to sign and return. Though rates may sometimes vary, $200 is the usual payment for a 2,000 to 2,500-word article with photos. Articles from 1,000 to 2,000 words are paid $100 with photos. Payment is made in U.S. dollars no later than 90 days upon publication. Articles that are not published are not paid.

Thank you for your interest in contributing to REPTILES magazine!