How to Become a Gun Magazine Writer.

Zorro · December 23, 2018, 01:07 AM

So... I am sort of a Fundamentalist.

I will never give up on preaching Practicing.

Get a .22 In the same frame as you use for Hunting or your real job.

But I want a Journalism Job in Gun Magazines.

How do I Do That from here?

**Aguila Blanca** · December 23, 2018, 01:29 AM

You collect names and addresses of editors-in-chief of the major gun rags. You write several articles to showcase your writing abilities. You then submit the articles to the editors and ask if they're interested.

Be prepared for rejection. I have had articles published in a number of magazines relating to architecture and construction, but I have been trying for several years to break into the gun magazines and I haven't had anything accepted for a print magazine yet. I've had articles published in on-line "magazines" -- but nothing in any dead tree publications.

It's not as easy as it looks.

Bill DeShivs · December 23, 2018, 02:04 AM

There are still gun magazines?

**JohnKSa** · December 23, 2018, 02:31 AM

I am not a gun magazine writer, so don't consider this expert advice.

Pick a current (or interesting) and relevant topic and write something that is accurate, interesting and engaging.

Alternatively, pick a topic that is technical and relevant and explain it in easily understood form; relating it to something that the subject audience wants to know or will find interesting.

Make sure you have lots of good photos relating to the topic.

Provide useful data that relates to the topic in simple and easily understood tables or charts.

Provide a finished product that is ready to use--find out from the organizations what they want in terms of document and photo formats.

Spend some time reading the publications you intend to send stories to and get a feel for what they want.

Don't expect immediate success.

FITASC · December 23, 2018, 08:42 AM

I have a good friend who writes for several gun magazines dealing specifically with shotguns. He also gets to go on hunts where it is not only free, he gets PAID to do so and then write about it. He's a retired lawyer, a former Olympic Skeet alternate and coach so he has been in the business for many decades which gave him the opportunities to break into writing for a few publications, plus a online blog, and a Q&A forum.

Onward Allusion · December 23, 2018, 11:39 AM

I may be stating the obvious. Do you have a portfolio?

lamarw · December 23, 2018, 12:43 PM

It appears you will need to establish yourself as an expert in a particular area/field through competition, experience and/or notoriety. What is your background? What is your education level in the fields of communication, literature, English and etc.? What is your job experience in the such fields as law enforcement, military, outdoor activities (professional guide) and etc.?

Establish yourself as a freelance writer by having article published in various magazines, newspapers and other publications. What have you had published? Have you ever served as an editor or assistant editor on any newspapers or had on the job experience at such jobs? Have you served on school papers, yearbooks and etc.?

I am not one to really know the answer to your question. I suspect it is like most other jobs in life. You will need training, education and experience to reach most senior levels. Writing for major publications will require years upon years of these qualifications.

Glenn E. Meyer · December 23, 2018, 12:54 PM

If you google the topic (what a surprise), you will find lots of advice on that. The general advice on being a writer is a great suggestion.

74A95 · December 24, 2018, 09:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aguila Blanca

You collect names and addresses of editors-in-chief of the major gun rags. You write several articles to showcase your writing abilities. You then submit the articles to the editors and ask if they're interested.

Be prepared for rejection. I have had articles published in a number of magazines relating to architecture and construction, but I have been trying for several years to break into the gun magazines and I haven't had anything accepted for a print magazine yet. I've had articles published in on-line "magazines" -- but nothing in any dead tree publications.

It's not as easy as it looks.

Care to share what you've published?

**Aguila Blanca** · December 24, 2018, 11:14 PM

Quote:

Care to share what you've published?

Sorry, but no.

There's a reason why I use a screen name that's unrelated to my real name. One (or maybe two or three) of the moderators here know who I am, but I don't care to make it public.

AL45 · December 25, 2018, 12:49 AM

I might make it writing about my real life hunting and shooting experiences in the humorous section. Maybe the Baxter Black of hunters.

DaleA · December 26, 2018, 08:10 PM

Vince Flynn, a Twin Cities author, said he had over 40 rejections of his first book before he finally self published it and the rest, as they say, is history. He has been a New York Times best seller numerous times since then. Sadly he passed away in 2013.

Vince Flynn was very knowledgeable about firearms and his books show this. If you like action/adventure books I'd highly recommend him.

FITASC · December 26, 2018, 08:43 PM

How many times did Edison fail before being successful? If you're the type who gets discouraged after a few dozens NOs, then do something else.

Jim Watson · December 27, 2018, 02:57 PM

Larry Niven dedicated a book to his Grandfather who left him enough to live on while he piled up rejection slips until he made his first sale.

RandyC · January 16, 2019, 11:35 AM

First become a good writer. That's more important than the subject matter. And if you're lucky you'll have a good editor who will be brutally honest while he or she is tearing your stories to pieces as you grow.

Writer first. Gun writer second.

December 23, 2018, 01:07 AM	#1
Zorro Senior Member Join Date: October 28, 2000 Posts: 1,072	How to Become a Gun Magazine Writer. So... I am sort of a Fundamentalist. I will never give up on preaching Practicing. Get a .22 In the same frame as you use for Hunting or your real job. But I want a Journalism Job in Gun Magazines. How do I Do That from here?

December 23, 2018, 02:04 AM	#3
Bill DeShivs Senior Member Join Date: April 7, 2006 Posts: 10,981	There are still gun magazines? __________________ Bill DeShivs, Master Cutler www.billdeshivs.com

December 23, 2018, 02:31 AM	#4
JohnKSa Staff Join Date: February 12, 2001 Location: DFW Area Posts: 24,975	I am not a gun magazine writer, so don't consider this expert advice. Pick a current (or interesting) and relevant topic and write something that is accurate, interesting and engaging. Alternatively, pick a topic that is technical and relevant and explain it in easily understood form; relating it to something that the subject audience wants to know or will find interesting. Make sure you have lots of good photos relating to the topic. Provide useful data that relates to the topic in simple and easily understood tables or charts. Provide a finished product that is ready to use--find out from the organizations what they want in terms of document and photo formats. Spend some time reading the publications you intend to send stories to and get a feel for what they want. Don't expect immediate success. __________________ Do you know about the TEXAS State Rifle Association?

December 23, 2018, 08:42 AM	#5
FITASC Senior Member Join Date: December 6, 2014 Posts: 6,446	I have a good friend who writes for several gun magazines dealing specifically with shotguns. He also gets to go on hunts where it is not only free, he gets PAID to do so and then write about it. He's a retired lawyer, a former Olympic Skeet alternate and coach so he has been in the business for many decades which gave him the opportunities to break into writing for a few publications, plus a online blog, and a Q&A forum. __________________ "I believe that people have a right to decide their own destinies; people own themselves. I also believe that, in a democracy, government exists because (and only so long as) individual citizens give it a 'temporary license to exist'—in exchange for a promise that it will behave itself. In a democracy, you own the government—it doesn't own you."- Frank Zappa

December 23, 2018, 11:39 AM	#6
Onward Allusion Senior Member Join Date: November 17, 2009 Location: Back in a Non-Free State Posts: 3,133	I may be stating the obvious. Do you have a portfolio? __________________ Simple as ABC . . . Always Be Carrying

December 23, 2018, 01:29 AM	#2
Aguila Blanca Staff Join Date: September 25, 2008 Location: CONUS Posts: 18,460	You collect names and addresses of editors-in-chief of the major gun rags. You write several articles to showcase your writing abilities. You then submit the articles to the editors and ask if they're interested. Be prepared for rejection. I have had articles published in a number of magazines relating to architecture and construction, but I have been trying for several years to break into the gun magazines and I haven't had anything accepted for a print magazine yet. I've had articles published in on-line "magazines" -- but nothing in any dead tree publications. It's not as easy as it looks.

December 23, 2018, 12:43 PM	#7
lamarw Senior Member Join Date: April 12, 2010 Location: Lake Martin, AL Posts: 3,311	It appears you will need to establish yourself as an expert in a particular area/field through competition, experience and/or notoriety. What is your background? What is your education level in the fields of communication, literature, English and etc.? What is your job experience in the such fields as law enforcement, military, outdoor activities (professional guide) and etc.? Establish yourself as a freelance writer by having article published in various magazines, newspapers and other publications. What have you had published? Have you ever served as an editor or assistant editor on any newspapers or had on the job experience at such jobs? Have you served on school papers, yearbooks and etc.? I am not one to really know the answer to your question. I suspect it is like most other jobs in life. You will need training, education and experience to reach most senior levels. Writing for major publications will require years upon years of these qualifications.

December 23, 2018, 12:54 PM	#8
Glenn E. Meyer Senior Member Join Date: November 17, 2000 Posts: 20,064	If you google the topic (what a surprise), you will find lots of advice on that. The general advice on being a writer is a great suggestion. __________________ NRA, TSRA, IDPA, NTI, Polite Soc. - Aux Armes, Citoyens

December 25, 2018, 12:49 AM	#11
AL45 Senior Member Join Date: December 12, 2012 Posts: 754	I might make it writing about my real life hunting and shooting experiences in the humorous section. Maybe the Baxter Black of hunters.

December 26, 2018, 08:10 PM	#12
DaleA Senior Member Join Date: September 12, 2002 Location: Twin Cities, MN Posts: 5,312	Vince Flynn, a Twin Cities author, said he had over 40 rejections of his first book before he finally self published it and the rest, as they say, is history. He has been a New York Times best seller numerous times since then. Sadly he passed away in 2013. Vince Flynn was very knowledgeable about firearms and his books show this. If you like action/adventure books I'd highly recommend him.

December 26, 2018, 08:43 PM	#13
FITASC Senior Member Join Date: December 6, 2014 Posts: 6,446	How many times did Edison fail before being successful? If you're the type who gets discouraged after a few dozens NOs, then do something else. __________________ "I believe that people have a right to decide their own destinies; people own themselves. I also believe that, in a democracy, government exists because (and only so long as) individual citizens give it a 'temporary license to exist'—in exchange for a promise that it will behave itself. In a democracy, you own the government—it doesn't own you."- Frank Zappa

December 27, 2018, 02:57 PM	#14
Jim Watson Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2001 Location: Alabama Posts: 18,539	Larry Niven dedicated a book to his Grandfather who left him enough to live on while he piled up rejection slips until he made his first sale.

January 16, 2019, 11:35 AM	#15
RandyC Senior Member Join Date: April 16, 2002 Location: Nashville, Tennessee Posts: 107	First become a good writer. That's more important than the subject matter. And if you're lucky you'll have a good editor who will be brutally honest while he or she is tearing your stories to pieces as you grow. Writer first. Gun writer second.