Mission Statement
Lake Superior Magazine will work to be the eyes, ears and voice of Lake Superior and its peoples. Through quality writing, graphics and photography, we strive to surprise, inform and delight our readers.
Personnel
Publisher, Beth Bily
Publisher, Ron Brochu
Editor, Konnie LeMay
Art & Production Manager, Amy Larsen
Lake Superior Magazine is a bimonthly full-color consumer magazine that focuses exclusively on the Lake Superior region – history, current events, life styles, environment, tourism. Our long suit is outstanding photography accompanied by well-written and relevant editorial. We like to surprise our readers, and therefore will try to present an unexpected slant to the stories they'll receive in each issue. The magazine was established in 1979 and has since become the authority on Lake Superior living, environment and travel. All submissions should support that concept.
As a regionally focused publication with national distribution, we are highly selective, considering only quality material. However, each year we accept a number of offerings from new writers and photographers. The strongest advice we can give is to read the magazine to understand our approach before submitting. Sample copies are not free; they are the cost of the cover price, plus shipping and handling.
Lake Superior Publishing LLC, Lake Superior Magazine's parent company, also publishes regionally focused books. Please submit book manuscripts using the instructions below.
Lake Superior Magazine Categories (not all-inclusive)
Photographs - Our hallmark! As a complete picture essay, illustrations for articles or as individual images for By the Shores (spread) and View•Point (single page).
Illustrations - Normally assigned, although freelance submissions will be considered.
Cartoons - Must be pertinent to the region, non-political and humorous.
Nonfiction - People, places and events in the Lake Superior region (contemporary; historic with current tie).
Fiction - Pertinent to the region or theme of an issue. Rarely used.
Departments - Shorter articles on specific topics of interest (Homes, Health & Wellness, Lake Superior Journal, Wild Superior, Heritage, Destinations, Profile, etc.).
Submissions
We reserve the right to accept or reject a specific query based upon quality, appropriateness and editorial subjectivity. We prefer queries outlining your proposed storytelling treatment of a subject and naming of possible sources. PLEASE, do not call unless invited. Submissions will be acknowledged; we do receive many queries on duplicate subject matter and so please note that we may already be working on a topic you suggest. All magazine submissions or queries must be made electronically via email to edit@lakesuperior.com.
We try to send a decision in three to four months, but given the size of our staff, it may take longer. Feel free to send a follow-up email to check on submissions and queries. If you do not hear back within four months, please feel free to submit the story elsewhere, but it would be a kindness if you'd send a note saying that you've sent it out.
We plan a year or more in advance, but articles are not locked into a specific issue until they have been accepted. We cannot return material that is not accompanied by a self-addressed, stamped return envelope. You should retain the originals or a copy of all submitted material.
People whose manuscripts are accepted for publication must be able to assume responsibility for permission to publish photos and names of individuals and places. Secure written permission to protect yourself when appropriate. Short biographical information on the writer should always accompany the submission. If accepted, a photo of the writer may be requested. When accepted, we may edit, abridge and condense the material as we may consider appropriate. As a rule, Lake Superior Publishing LLC does not consider material previously published.
Payment for Writing – We pay on a per-piece basis, with magazine features generally paying $200 to $400. Top dollar is earned by a well-written and researched manuscript-photo package. The average feature runs 1,600 to 2,000 words. Departments and Columns average 800 to 1,200 words and usually pay from $75 to $200.
Assignment – Lake Superior Publishing LLC publications are copyrighted. You will be asked to sign a standard agreement assigning some rights to your work. For submitted story queries, we generally ask for First North American serial rights and electronic rights and some Second serial rights in the case of reprints of our special publications. You will be notified before reprinting. First serial rights are reserved for 90 days following the first month of the publication. Payment is made upon publication. You will receive at least one copy of the publication in which your work appears, with additional copies available at wholesale cost.
If we have generated the story idea and assign you to it, this is considered a "work for hire," and we retain all rights to its use, including the right to use it in our sister publications.
Submissions & Queries – Please include your name, address and contact phone number on your query. For U.S. citizens, a Social Security number is required prior to publication. Email all submissions to edit@lakesuperior.com.
Photographic Submissions
We no longer accept prints or transparencies. The best submission will be via email (edit@lakesuperiorlcom) with a link to an online portfolio. Complete photographic identification must accompany each submission; IDs should includes subject name, location and date taken.
Lake Superior Publishing LLC does not assume liability for lost, damaged or undelivered submission materials.
Files – When an image is selected, please submit high-resolution versions of images in JPG, TIFF or RAW format.
Photographer has sole responsibility for rights of accessibility and acquisition, proper attribution and release for use of each photograph. Written permission may be necessary from the subject of the photograph, and at the very least should be held by the photographer for personal protection.
Payment – Payment is made to originators of photographic works. We pay $50 for usage per image, not based on size of use or number of pages. Cover photo pays $150. Additional use within the same publication, such as on the title page, at no additional payment. Combination writer/photographer stories may be negotiated as a package. Payment is made upon publication.
Assignment – As with editorial material, you will be asked to sign a standard agreement assigning some rights to your work. We prefer photography being published for the first time. We ask for 90-day protection plus electronic rights for all photography and illustrations used in magazines, 18-month protection for use in calendars or books to promote the magazine. You will be notified before reprinting. You will receive at least one copy of the publication in which your work appears, with additional copies available at wholesale cost.
Ancillary Categories – Lake Superior Publishing LLC produces many items that require photography and artwork. Although photographic material submitted to the magazine is primarily considered for that publication, we also look for other uses. Some of the other products we produce are books, calendars, note cards and Christmas cards. We accept submissions for all.
Submitting
Email all submission queries to edit@lakesuperior.com. All submissions MUST include a mailing address, contact phone number and email address.
Other questions? Email: edit@lakesuperior.com
Updated March 25, 2021