The
American Gardener, American Horticultural Society, 7931 East Boulevard Drive,
Alexandria, VA 22308-1300. Email editor@ahs.org.
Website http://www.ahs.org. David
J. Ellis, Editor. 75% freelance. "The American Gardener is the official publication
of the American Horticultural Society (AHS), a national, nonprofit, membership
organization for gardeners founded in 1922. The magazine is primarily freelance
written. Our readers are mainly experienced amateur gardeners; about 20 percent
are horticultural professionals. Our articles are intended to bring this knowledgeable
group new information, ranging from the latest scientific findings that affect
plants, to the history of gardening and gardens in America. We introduce readers
to unusual plants, personalities, and issues that will enrich what we assume
is already a passionate commitment to gardening. Feature-length articles include
in-depth profiles of individual plant groups, profiles of prominent American
horticulturists and gardeners, profiles of unusual public or private gardens,
descriptions of historical developments in American gardening, descriptions
of innovative landscape design projects (especially relating to use of regionally
native plants or naturalistic gardening), and descriptions of important plant
breeding and research programs tailored to a lay audience. We run relatively
few how-to articles; these should address relatively complex or unusual topics
that most other gardening magazines won't tackle-photography needs to be provided."
Welcomes new writers. Circ 23K + newsstands. Bimonthly. Pays on publication.
Publishes ms 6-18 months after acceptance. Buys "at least 1st N.A. rights for
print and website use." Rarely accepts reprints. Responds 90 days. Sample $5
by mail. Subscription $35; $50 foreign. Guidelines for email request or by mail
with SASE. CURRENT NEEDS: "Looking for illustrated how-to articles about creating
naturalistic water features (pools, streams, waterfalls, bog gardens, etc.).
Profiles of plant groups. Articles on garden design topics. Articles about integrating
vegetables or herbs into ornamental gardens. Pays $300-$500 for features;
$50-$250 for departments. Submit per guidelines. HINTS: "The most common
mistake writers make is not becoming familiar with our magazine before submitting
queries. This leads to proposals that are wholly unsuited to our usual content
and style. I advise all new writers to review at least three recent issues of
any magazine before submitting a query."
