AOPA Pilot magazine article

[jrh]

For those of you who read AOPA Pilot magazine, I'm proud to announce I was published in the current (November) issue's "Never Again" feature. It's the story of how I got trapped by some weather before I had much XC experience or an instrument rating.

In the article I mention a friend of mine named Erik, who was actually the pilot flying in the story. He's now an instructor at Sierra Academy in Atwater, CA, so if you know him...well...that was him in the story. We've had numerous adventures together.

[wrxpilot]

I just read it yesterday... I thought it sounded like a situation that could easily happen to anybody. Thanks for sharing it!

[Timbuff10]

Good story, did you do the drawing too? Can't help but notice it looks like your avatar a bit there.

Looks like you guys learned alot from that flight. Congrats for surviving and not busting any FARs on that one.

[jrh]

Originally Posted by Timbuff10

Good story, did you do the drawing too? Can't help but notice it looks like your avatar a bit there.

Funny you should say that, I noticed the same thing. But no, I didn't draw it, AOPA provided all the artwork. The plane in my avatar is from where I'm currently instructing and had nothing to do with the story.

[Timbuff10]

Originally Posted by jrh

Funny you should say that, I noticed the same thing. But no, I didn't draw it, AOPA provided all the artwork. The plane in my avatar is from where I'm currently instructing and had nothing to do with the story.

Ha! Irony!

[MFT1Air]

Outstanding! A Pulitzer Prize winner in the making.

[jrh]

Originally Posted by MFT1Air

Outstanding! A Pulitzer Prize winner in the making.

Hahaha....did you intend to put a with that comment? I wouldn't blame you if you did!

Although I must say, magazine article writing is pretty fun. I was first published in AOPA Flight Training, now Pilot...I'm shooting for something in Flying or Plane & Pilot in the future. Gotta keep moving up, right?

[Nick]

Originally Posted by jrh

In the article I mention a friend of mine named Erik, who was actually the pilot flying in the story. so if you know him...well...that was him in the story.

Erik A. or Erik N. ?

I'll have to look up that article online before my membership times-out until I renew it.

[jrh]

Originally Posted by Nick

Erik A. or Erik N. ?

Erik N. Kind of a small, quiet guy, but super nice once you get to know him. He's been at Sierra since the start of last summer and should be going to Skywest soon.

I split an apartment with him last year and we flew a lot of trips together over the past several years to build time. We also worked as instructors at the same college last year. I miss hanging out with him. Good times!

[GaTechKid]

Nice article James. Coincidentally the November issue was sitting next the computer when I noticed your post.

[genkukov]

Nice work, James! I remember you mentioning that story to me, but I didn't realize the severity of the situation. I'll have to keep that in mind as I'll be flying out of good ol' Wally World myself during this "great" weather. Congrats on gettin published in AOPA (I should get my copy autographed ).
-Kukov

(btw, you never answer your phone)

[jrh]

Originally Posted by genkukov

I'll have to keep that in mind as I'll be flying out of good ol' Wally World myself during this "great" weather.

Whatever man, you've got your instrument rating now. No need to check weather or anything. Just grab some charts, hop in one of those rock solid 152s, and blast off into whatever is out there...right?

Originally Posted by genkukov

(btw, you never answer your phone)

Yeah, sorry about that. I've been traveling and working like crazy for the past two weeks and haven't been able to talk. I'll call you soon, I swear.

[RynoB]

Originally Posted by jrh

Although I must say, magazine article writing is pretty fun. I was first published in AOPA Flight Training, now Pilot...I'm shooting for something in Flying or Plane & Pilot in the future. Gotta keep moving up, right?

I always wondered about how to get into that. Can you give a synopsis on getting articles published in a magazine?

[jrh]

Originally Posted by RynoB

I always wondered about how to get into that. Can you give a synopsis on getting articles published in a magazine?

Most magazines list "writers guidelines" somewhere on their web site. It details what they look for in a piece, like length, formatting, where to send it, etc. For instance, they'll say they only want pieces that are 1000-1500 words, typed, double-spaced, mailed to a particular address, or e-mailed to the editor in a particular file format, etc.

The most important thing with magazine article writing is to fit the "style" of writing found in the target magazine. Every magazine has an audience they aim at and a tone to their writing. Do they aim at professional airline pilots? Student pilots? Renters? Owners? Do they have a very formal, journalistic tone to the writing? Or more conversational?

The only way to know how to write is by reading the magazine you're wanting to be published in. Read several issues cover to cover, then keep that particular style in mind while you write your piece. When you're done writing, your piece should sound like it would fit into the target magazine. The tone, subject matter, focus of the story, etc. should all sound like other stories from the magazine.

Of course, beyond that, there are general writing principles that should be followed, but that's beyond the scope of advice I can give. What I mean is, you'll need to edit, revise, and proofread your piece a lot, just like you would with any kind of writing.

When you're ready to submit your piece, make sure it is perfect. It's not the magazine editor's job to fix poor grammar or spelling. They are busy people, and the less work they need to do before sending an article to the layout people, the more likely they are to pick your story.

Then, send it in and wait. I sent my Never Again story in to AOPA last March and didn't hear back from them until September. Also, because of that time delay in most magazines, be careful of when you send a story in to them. Send in material 4-6 months before you think they'd want to print it. Don't send in an article about thunderstorm avoidance in the middle of July, because they probably won't be interested in publishing it for the next 10 or 12 months, no matter how good it is. A lot of VFR-into-IMC accidents happen because of fall/winter weather, which is part of the reason I submitted my piece in the spring...about 6 months ahead of when they'd be interested in publishing it.

I have a lot more little tips and tricks, but that's the general rundown of how magazines work. If you're serious about trying to publish something, PM me and I'd be happy to help you out in any way I can.

Oh, and one last note...don't write for the money. Between writing and editing my story, I probably put at least 15 or 20 hours into it. AOPA bought it for $75. That's pretty typical for most freelance writers. Not that I'm going to throw away $75, but compared to the time I put into it...I'm not going to quit my day job to become a writer. I do it because I think it's cool to see my name in a major publication.

[RynoB]

Thanks for the insight.