Writing for UK County Magazines

by Rachel Newcombe

One of the markets most overlooked by globally based writers is that of UK county magazines. Although it may seem odd to suggest that such a specific market area would be of use to writers based in the rest of the world, far from the counties in question, there are in fact many opportunities for international freelancers willing to explore this field.

County magazines provide an ideal starting point for anyone wanting to spread their wings, gain more international publishing credits, and write material of interest to a specific area. The good news is that the majority of these magazines are almost entirely written by freelancers, and they are always on the lookout for new and interesting material.

Most counties in the UK have their own magazine dedicated to providing readers with a range of news and views about the area. Although it is true that certain aspects of the magazines, such as current news and events, are likely to be written by people living in the area or familiar with it, there are several other niches that can just as successfully be filled by people living in other locations. County magazines don't just cover current events and local residents; they also focus on famous people, historical events, famous places, unusual local customs, region- specific traditions. and sometimes even poetry and short stories. These are the areas that are available for international freelancers to tackle.

As with any form of writing, research is extremely important; in this case, it is the means by which international writers can successfully break into this market. The Internet provides the ideal research tool for potential county magazine writers, as one can easily search for UK county-specific information from anywhere in the world. A typical information search can produce details of historic events that occurred in the area, famous people, local traditions and customs -- all of which are of interest to readers of the publication. Do remember to ensure you get your geography right: A magazine in Sussex is not going to be interested in an article related to events or people in Suffolk!

Famous People

Most counties are associated with at least one or two very famous people, as well as many people who are less well-known. Provide profiles of them, what their lives were like, how things have changed since their time. There is no need to restrict yourself to deceased famous people; if you find information relating to living local celebrities, why not try contacting them? If they have access to the Internet and e-mail they can be interviewed by that means, or by telephone. They may also be able to assist you with providing other contacts or photographs that could be used to accompany your article.

Historic Events

Articles covering historic events are also popular. Again, research is imperative and can turn up many interesting possibilities. Maybe a famous battle, a disaster or some other interesting event took place in the area.

Famous Places

Places can become famous as a result of events that occurred there, because a famous person originated there, or merely because they are popular tourist attractions. Whatever the reason, profiles of such places prove of constant interest to many county magazines.

Perhaps you live in a town that is twinned with a location in the UK (e.g., perhaps, it has a UK "sister city"). Find out where that place is located and write an article on your own town: How it differs from its partner or namesake, its traditional trades, anything or anyone it is famous for, local customs, etc. This could provide an interesting contrast, especially if your town is larger or more industrialized than its twin somewhere in the depths of the British countryside.

Local Customs and Traditions

Many places have particular local customs or traditions. For example, the custom of tar-barrel burning is still performed to welcome in the New Year in parts of Northumberland, while many villages in Derbyshire still take part in the annual Well Dressing ceremonies during the summer months. There are also lots of customs and local crafts that have gradually dwindled and died out over the years that can also be considered: How did they start, when were they last practiced, what did they signify?

Poetry and Short Stories

Many of the publications also accept poems and stories, which may offer an opening for anyone who writes in this genre.

Ideas do not have to be limited to these topics. Perhaps you once lived in the UK and could write a piece reminiscing about your time there and the memories you have about a particular area. Perhaps your distant relatives hailed from one of the counties and passed on tales of local traditions. Perhaps you would like to write seasonal material or know of a particular craft or game that is unique to that part of the world. Whatever the case, remember to ensure that it is of relevance to the county and will be of interest to the magazine's readers.

Payment tends to vary. In general, pay rates for this market are not all that high, mainly due to the publications' limited circulation. But if you're interested in building up your writing credits, or enjoy researching new and interesting material, writing for UK county magazines can prove to be a highly rewarding and enjoyable experience.

UK Regional Magazine Directory

(Last updated 03/01/05)

(Note for US writers: When dialing a UK number, dial the access code and country code, and omit the (0): 011-44-number. When writing from the US, be sure to include "UK" after the address listed.)

Bath Life
1 Saville Road
Bath BA1 2QP
Tel: +44 (0) 1225 461 102; Fax: +44 (0) 1225 461 372
Editor: Deri Robins (derirobins@surfmedia.co.uk)

The Bath Magazine
13 New Bond Street
Bath BA1 1BE
Tel: +44 (0) 1225 424 499; Fax: +44 (0) 1225 426 677
Editor: Lindsey Harrad (editor@thebathmagazine.co.uk)
http://www.thebathmagazine.co.uk/

Bedfordshire County Life Magazine
P.O. Box 32
Biggleswade, Bedfordshire SG18 8TE
Tel: +44 (0) 1462 819 496
Email: bclm.editor@virgin.net
http://www.bedfordshirecountylifemagazine.co.uk

Berkshire Life
c/o Archant House
Oriel Road
Cheltenham, Gloucestershire GL50 1BB
Tel: +44 (0) 1242 216 050
http://www.berkshire-life.co.uk/

Brighton and Hove Life
Archant Life
28 Teville Road
Worthing, West Sussex BN11 1UG
Tel: +44 (0) 1903 604 224
http://www.brightonandhovelife.co.uk/

Bristol Magazine (The)
13 New Bond Street
Bath BA1 1BE
Tel: +44 (0) 1225 424 592
Editor: Lindsey Harrad (editor@thebristolmagazine.co.uk)
http://www.thebristolmagazine.co.uk/

Clifton Life (Bristol)
Surf Media Ltd
1 Saville Row
Bath BA1 2QP
Tel: +44 (0) 1225 461 102; Fax: +44 (0) 1225 461 372
Editor: Deri Robins (derirobins@surfmedia.co.uk)

Buckinghamshire Countryside (Bimonthly)
P.O. Box 5
Hitchin, Hertfordshire SG5 1GJ
Tel: +44 (0) 1462 431 237; Fax: +44 (0) 1462 422 015
Editor: Sandra P. Small (Sandra@buckscountryside.co.uk)
http://www.buckscountryside.co.uk

Cambridgeshire Journal and East Anglian Life
The Old County School
Northgate Street
Bury St. Edmunds, Suffolk IP33 1HP
Managing Editor: Pippa Bastin (pippa@acornmagazines.co.uk)
http://www.acornmagazines.co.uk

Cambridgeshire Life
The Mill, Bearwalden Business Park
Wendens Ambo
Saffron Walden, Essex CB11 4GB
Tel: +44 (0) 1799 544 273
Email: editorialenquiries@cambridgeshirelife.co.uk
http://www.cambridgeshirelife.co.uk/

Cheshire Life (Monthly)
3 Tustin Court, Port Way
Preston, Lancashire PR2 2YQ
Tel: +44 (0) 1772 722 022; Fax: +44 (0) 1772 760 905
Editor: Patrick O'Neill (patrick.o'neill@cheshirelife.co.uk)
http://www.cheshirelife.co.uk/

Cornwall Today (Monthly)
Harmsworth House
City Wharf, Malpas Road
Truro, Cornwall TR1 1QH
Tel: +44 (0) 1872 271 451
Editor: Nicky Van Der Bij (nicky@cornwalltoday.co.uk)

Inside Cornwall
2-4 The Fradgan
Newlyn, Penzance, Cornwall TR18 5BE
Tel: +44 (0) 1736 334 800; Fax: +44 (0) 1736 334 808
http://www.insidecornwall.co.uk

Cotswold Life (Monthly)
Cumberland House
Oriel Road
Cheltenham, Gloucestershire GL50 1BB
Tel: +44 (0) 1242 216 050; Fax: +44 (0) 1242 231 694
http://www.cotswoldlife.co.uk

Cumbria and Lake District Life (Bimonthly)
51 Bank Street
Carlisle, Cumbria CA3 8HJ
Tel: +44 (0) 1228 616 130; Fax: +44 (0) 1228 616 110
Editor: Keith Richardson (keith.richardson@cumbrialife.co.uk)
http://www.cumbrialife.co.uk

Cumbria Magazine (Monthly)
Country Publications
The Water Mill, Broughton Hall
Skipton, North Yorks BD23 3AG
Tel +44 (0) 1756 701 381; Fax +44 (0) 1756 701 326
Editor: Terry Fletcher (editorial@dalesman.co.uk)
http://www.dalesman.co.uk

(see also Lake District Life, Lancashire, below)

Derbyshire Life and Countryside (Monthly)
Heritage House
Lodge Lane
Derby, Derbyshire DE1 3HE
Tel: +44 (0) 1332 347 087; Fax: +44 (0)1322 290 688
Editor: Vivienne Irish (editorials@hhgroup.co.uk)

Devon Life (Monthly)
Archant Life Ltd
Archant House
Babbage Road
Totnes, Devon TQ9 5JA
Tel +44 (0) 1803 860 910; Fax +44 (0) 1803 860 922
Email: devonlife@archant.co.uk
http://www.devonlife.co.uk/

Dartmoor Magazine
PO Box 16
Tavistock, Devon PL19 0XR
Tel: +44 (0) 1822 614 899
http://www.dartmoormagazine.co.uk/

Dorset Life - The Dorset Magazine
7 The Leanne
Wareham, Dorset BH20 4DY
Tel: +44 (0) 1929 551 264; Fax: +44 (0) 1929 552 099
Email: dorset.life@virgin.net
http://www.dorsetlife.co.uk/

Durham Town and Country (Quarterly)
Powdene Publicity
Unit 17, St. Peters Wharf
St. Peters Marina
Newcastle Upon Tyne, NE6 1TZ
Tel: +44 (0) 191 265 0040
http://www.northumbrian-mag.com/Durham.html

Essex Life and Countryside (Monthly)
The Mill, Bearwalden Business Park
Wendens Ambo
Saffron Walden, Essex CB11 4GB
Tel: +44 (0) 1799 544 273
Email: editorialenquiries@essexlife.net
http://www.essexlife.net/

Essex Magazine (Monthly)
Cambridge Newspapers Ltd
Winship Road
Milton, Cambridge CB4 6PP
Tel: +44 (0) 1223 434 434
http://www.acornmagazines.co.uk

Hampshire: The County Magazine
74 Bedford Place
Southampton, Hampshire SO15 2DF
Tel: +44 (0) 2380 333 457; Fax: +44 (0) 2380 227 190
Editor: Paul Cave (hampshiremag@hotmail.com)
http://www.geocities.com/hantsmag/

Hampshire Life (Monthly)
c/o Archant House
Oriel Road
Cheltenham, Gloucestershire GL50 1BB
Tel: +44 (0) 7977 054 861; Fax: +44 (0) 1242 255 116
Email: enquiries@hampshire-life.co.uk
http://www.hampshirelife.com

Hertfordshire Countryside (Bimonthly)
P.O. Box 5
Hitchin, Hertfordshire SG5 1GJ
Tel: +44 (0) 1462 431 237; Fax: +44 (0) 1462 422 015
Editor: Sandra P. Small (Sandra@hertscountryside.co.uk)
http://www.hertscountryside.co.uk/

Hertfordshire Life (Monthly)
The Mill, Bearwalden Business Park
Wendens Ambo
Saffron Walden, Essex CB11 4GB
Tel: +44 (0) 1799 544 273; Fax: +44 (0) 1799 544 205
Editor: Robyn Bechelet (robyn.bechelet@archant.co.uk)
http://www.hertfordshirelife.co.uk/

Jersey Now (Quarterly)
P.O. Box 582
Five Oaks, St. Saviour
Jersey, Channel Islands, JE4 8QX
Tel: +44 (0) 1534 611 743; Fax: +44 (0) 1534 611 610
Managing Editor: Peter Body (mspeditorial@msppublishing.com)
http://www.jerseyeveningpost.com/pub2.html

Kent Life
25A Pudding Lane
Maidstone, Kent, ME14 1PA
Tel: +44 (0) 1622 762 818; Fax: +44 (0) 1622 663 294
http://www.kent-life.co.uk/

Lancashire Life (Monthly)
3 Tustin Court
Port Way
Preston, Lancashire PR2 2YQ
Tel: +44 (0) 1772 722 022; Fax: +44 (0) 1772 760 905
Editor: Anthony Skinnner (Anthony.skinner@lancashirelife.co.uk)
http://www.lancashirelife.co.uk/

Lake District Life
3 Tustin Court
Portway
Preston, Lancashire PR2 2YQ
Tel: +44 (0) 1772 722 022; Fax: +44 (0) 1722 760 905
Editor: Anthony Skinner (Anthony.skinner@lakedistrict-life.co.uk)
http://www.lakedistrict-life.co.uk

Lincolnshire Life (Monthly
County Life Ltd
86 Newland
Lincoln LN1 1YA
Tel: +44 (0) 1522 527 127; Fax: +44 (0) 1522 560 035
Email: editorial@lincolnshirelife.co.uk
http://www.lincolnshirelife.co.uk

Lincolnshire Today (Monthly)
Armstrong House
Grimsby, NE Lincolnshire DN31 2QE
Tel: +44 (0) 1472 310 302; Fax: +44 (0) 1472 310 312
Email: e.boubiya@blmgroup.co.uk
http://www.blmgroup.co.uk/lincolnshiretoday/index.html

Norfolk Journal and East Anglian Life (Monthly)
Cambridge Newspapers Ltd
Winship Road
Milton, Cambridge CB4 6PP
Tel: +44 (0) 1223 434 434

North East Times (incorporating Newcastle Life) (Monthly)
8 Lansdown Terrace
Gosforth
Newcastle upon Tyne, NE3 1HN
Tel: +44 (0) 191 284 4494; Fax: +44 (0) 191 284 9995
Editor: Alison Conlon (alison.conlon@accentmagazines.co.uk)

The Northumbrian (Bimonthly)
Powdene Publicity
Unit 17, St. Peters Wharf
St. Peters Marina
Newcastle Upon Tyne NE6 1TZ
Tel: +44 (0) 191 265 0040
http://www.northumbrian-mag.com

Oxfordshire Life
Archant House
Oriel Road
Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, GL50 1BB
Tel: +44 (0) 1242 216 050; Fax: +44 (0) 1242 255 116
http://www.oxfordshire-life.co.uk/

Salisbury Life
1 Saville Row
Bath BA1 2QP
Tel: +44 (0) 1225 461 102; Fax: +44 (0) 1225 461 372
Editor: Dawn Gorman (dawngorman@surfmedia.co.uk)

Shropshire Magazine (Monthly)
77 Wyle Cop
Shrewsbury, Shropshire, SY1 1UT
Tel: +44 (0) 1743 362 175
Editor: Sarah-Jane Smith

Somerset Life (Monthly)
Archant House
Babbage Road
Totnes, Devon TQ9 5JA
http://www.somerset-life.co.uk/

Staffordshire Life (Monthly - 11 issues per year)
The Publishing Centre
Derby Street, Stafford ST16 2DT
Tel: +44 (0) 1785 257 700; Fax: +44 (0) 1785 253 287
Editor: Philip Thurlow-Craig
Email: editor@staffordshirelife.co.uk

Suffolk (Incorporating East Anglian Daily Times)
EADT Suffolk
Press House
30 Lower Brook Street
Ipswich, Suffolk IP4 1AN
Tel: +44 (0) 1473 324 762
Editor: Richard Bryson (Richard.Bryson@eadt.co.uk)
http://www.suffolkmagazine.co.uk/

Suffolk Journal and East Anglian Life (Monthly)
Cambridge Newspapers Ltd
Winship Road
Milton, Cambridge CB4 6PP
Tel: +44 (0) 1223 434 434

Surrey Life (Monthly)
Holmesdale House
46 Croydon Road
Reigate, Surrey RH2 0NH
Tel: +44 (0) 1737 247 188; Fax: +44 (0) 1737 246 596
http://www.surreylife.co.uk

Sussex Life (Monthly)
Baskerville Place
28 Teville Road
Worthing, West Sussex BN11 1UG
Tel: +44 (0) 1903 218 719; Fax: +44 (0) 1903 820 193
Editor: Ian Trevett
Email: ian@sussexlife.co.uk
http://www.sussexlife.com/

WorthingPlus (Sussex) (Monthly)
Brooklyn Chambers
11 Goring Road
Worthing, West Sussex BN12 4AP
Tel / Fax: +44 (0) 1903 244 700
Editor: Margaret Kavanagh (http://www.worthingplus.co.uk/)

Wiltshire Life (Monthly)
A & D Media Ltd
Jesses Farm, Snow Hill
Dinton, Wiltshire SP3 5HN
Tel: +44 (0) 1722 716 996
Email: wiltshirelife@markallengroup.com

Wykeham Life
1 Saville Road
Bath BA1 2QP
Tel: +44 (0) 1225 461 102; Fax: +44 (0) 1225 461 372
Editor: Emma Ingrey-Counter (emmaingrey-counter@surfmedia.co.uk)

Yorkshire Life (Monthly)
3 Tustin Court
Port Way
Preston, Lancashire PR2 2YQ
Tel: +44 (0) 1772 722 022
Editor: Sarah Todd (sarah.todd@yorkshirelife.co.uk)
http://www.yorkshirelife.co.uk/

Dalesman (Yorkshire) (Monthly)
Country Publications
The Water Mill, Broughton Hall
Skipton, North Yorks BD23 3AG
Tel +44 (0) 1756 701 381; Fax +44 (0) 1756 701 326
Editor: Paul Jackson (editorial@dalesman.co.uk)
http://www.dalesman.co.uk/

Down Your Way (Yorkshire)
PO Box 265, Leeds LS14 9AP
Tel: +44 (0) 113 609020
Editor: Averil Thornton (averil@downyourway.co.uk)
http://www.dalesman.co.uk/

Scotland:

East Lothian Life (Quarterly)
1 Beveridge Row
Belhavenr
Dunbar, East Lothian EH42 1TP
SCOTLAND
Tel/Fax +44 (0) 1368 863 593
Email: info@east-lothian-life.co.uk
http://www.east-lothian-life.co.uk

Lothian Life (Quarterly)
Ballencrieff Cottage
Ballencrieff Toll
Bathgate, West Lothian EH48 4LD
SCOTLAND
Tel: +44 (0) 1506 632 728; Fax: +44 (0) 1506 635 444
Email: editor@lothianlife.co.uk
http://www.lothianlife.co.uk

The Scots Magazine
2 Albert Square
Dundee DD1 9QJ
SCOTLAND
Tel: +44 (0) 1382 223 131; Fax: +44 (0) 1382 322 214
Email: mail@scotsmagazine.com
http://www.scotsmagazine.com

Scottish Field (Monthly)
Craigcrook Castle
Craigcrook Road
Edinburgh EH4 3PE
SCOTLAND
Tel: +44 (0) 131 312 4550; Fax: +44 (0) 131 312 4551
Email: editor@scottishfield.co.uk
http://www.scottishfield.co.uk/

Scottish Home and Country (Monthly)
42 Heriot Row
Edinburgh EH3 6ES
SCOTLAND
Tel: +44 (0) 131 225 1724; Fax: +44 (0) 131 225 8129
Editor: Liz Ferguson
Email: magazine@swri.demon.co.uk
http://www.swri.org.uk/sh&c.html

Wales:

Cambria Magazine (Wales's National Magazine)
PO Box 22
Carmarthern SA32 7YH
WALES
Tel: +44 (0) 1267 290 188; Fax: +44 (0) 1267 290 188
Editor: Henry Jones-Davis (editor@cambriamagazine.com)
http://www.cambriamagazine.com

Carmarthenshire Life and Pembrokeshire Life (Monthly)
Swan House
Bridge Street
Newcastle Emlyn, Carmarthen SA38 9DX
WALES
Tel: +44 (0) 1239 710 632
Editor: David Fielding (davidfielding@themail.co.uk)

Ireland:

Ulster Tatler
39 Boucher Road
Balmoral Industrial Estate
Belfast, Co Antrim BT12 6UT
IRELAND
Tel: +44 (0) 28 90 663311
Email: info@ulstertatler.com
http://www.ulstertatler.com

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