Have a Great Story to Tell?We’re Looking for You!
MWVJ is a fueled by people who love to write, take photos and do other creative things. If that sounds like you, let’s talk about it!
What’s the Story?
Do you have a great story or awesome photos and a love for our Midwest outdoors? If so, Midwest Vertical wants you! We’re on the lookout for contributors who can bring the spirit of the Midwest to life through original content. Here, it’s not about quick tips or gear reviews. We’re talking about the real stories – the culture, the people, the hidden gems of our region. Ready to join us?
What we’re after:
- Original storytelling or photo essays that capture the essence of the Midwest outdoors. We also welcome previously published articles and photos that align with our mission
- Contributions focused on regional culture and local lore, people, places, and experiences
- We highly value and encourage sharing your personal experiences and connections with the Midwest outdoors
- Content that steers clear of SEO tactics, affiliate links, and commercial angles
What you get:
- Article promotion via FB, IG, and in our Email Newsletter
- A Midwest Vertical Beanie or Trucker hat of your choice
- The satisfaction that you’re elevating the reputation of the Midwest outdoor space
- Bragging rights that even Strava can’t provide
Midwest Vertical Content Guidelines
To ensure our content remains true to our mission, we’ve established the following guidelines for all contributors:
General Guidelines
- Originality and Authenticity:
- Original content or content that has been previously published for which you own the rights to republish.
- Stories should authentically represent the Midwest’s culture, people, and places.
- Quality and Depth:
- Properly cite references and give credit where it’s due.
- Ensure proper grammar, spelling, and adherence to a high editorial standard.
- Ensure you have the necessary rights and permissions for all images, including model releases for identifiable individuals and property releases for private properties.
- Respect and Inclusivity:
- Content must be respectful and inclusive, celebrating the diversity of the Midwest.
- Avoid any discriminatory or offensive language.
- Adhere to ethical standards, especially when photographing sensitive subjects or communities. Respect for your subjects is paramount.
- No Promotional Material:
- Strictly no affiliate links or promotional content.
- Do not include content focused on product or destination reviews or gear recommendations.
- Content should not be written for SEO or keyword targeting.
Articles:
- Articles should be 500 – 2,500 words – submit as Word or Google Doc.
- Feel free to include 3-5 horizontal high-res. photos (sent as separate attachments).
- Include a short author bio and headshot with the article if you’d like it included.
Photo Essays:
- Submit between 4 and 10 high-resolution images.
- Images should be 300dpi PNG, JEPG or TIFF format, suitable for printing or online viewing.
- Images should ideally be 16:9 landscape or square aspect ratio to fit our layout. Portrait and very wide shots will likely be cropped if used.
- Provide a brief caption for each image and a short introductory text for the essay.
- Include a short author bio and headshot with the article if you’d like it included.
Content Rights & Content Ownership
We prioritize original content not published elsewhere, including personal blogs, social media, or other digital or print publications. We also welcome content that has been published for which you have the right to republish. By submitting your work to Midwest Vertical, you confirm that it is original and unpublished or that you have the right to republish. Upon acceptance, Midwest Vertical retains the exclusive right to publish your content for 90 days from publication on our platform. After this exclusive period, you are free to pitch and publish your work elsewhere, and we request that you credit Midwest Vertical as the original publisher (for original content) and include a link to the article on our website when doing so. Midwest Vertical maintains the perpetual right to use written content and photos in our publication.
By submitting any content, photos, or written works to Midwest Vertical, you represent and warrant that you are the sole owner of the content and have the full legal right to submit it for publication. This includes obtaining any necessary photo releases, permissions, and clearances from any individuals or entities depicted in the submitted materials. You agree to indemnify and hold Midwest Vertical harmless from any claims, damages, or liabilities arising from the publication of your submitted content.
Tell Us What You’re Thinking.
We review all submissions. Fill out the form below and we’ll be in touch!