Writing has always been my way out. For whatever reason, I was gifted the ability to put words together, and in spite of not being a great student, I could usually ‘write my way out of trouble’ when I needed to. And going back as far as 6th grade, a few things I wrote were published in those literary magazines for students and I think some of my teachers saw some potential in me, but thought I was a slacker. The truth is, I was a dreamer and that carried my consciousness out of the classroom on a daily basis, while I daydreamed about where I might fish that afternoon or clearing that path for mountain biking or where I could find wood for a tree fort. These were the things that consumed me, because they were important to me and because I enjoyed them.
Jumping ahead to the winter between 2002 and 2003, I found a blurb in this very magazine suggesting that anyone could query the editor with a story idea and he might choose it to be published. At the time, I was working in a hardware store in Mattapoisett Massachusetts, and I worked with a guy named Don Cuddy who was writing for the local newspaper, he was the only published author I knew, so I asked him enough questions to (probably) be annoying, and he encouraged me to go for it and suggested that I read a bunch of the stories published in the magazine to get a feel for the voice of the editor.
A fire ignited in my belly, it was a churning mixture of angst, excitement and nerves, it became something I wanted so badly that I couldn’t stop thinking about it. I couldn’t stop whispering under my breath to myself, story ideas and working out the phrasing of how I would open the door with the editor. I didn’t want to sound naïve, I didn’t want to sound dumb and I didn’t want my words to be the clue that revealed my young age. Finally, I built up the gall to send the email to, then editor, Zach Harvey. To my surprise, he responded promptly and we batted a few ideas back and forth. Finally, we settled on a topic and I was so excited, I couldn’t stop myself from glowing when I tried to coolly tell my girlfriend that I had an assignment. And at some point in the months that followed, my first article “Walking Eels” was published. After that, I became Zach’s go-to guy for surfcasting articles, and in some ways I had written myself into trouble this time, because I had to keep coming up with fresh topics.
As we step into the second half of the 2020’s and welcome in a New Year, the timing is right for some new blood in my growing stable of writers. If you’ve been reading the magazine for more than a few years, you have probably noticed that I bring in new authors all the time, working with new writers is a bigtime passion of mine and I think I’m pretty good at it. I’m a big believer in two mantras when it comes to writing; passion supersedes years of experience 100 times out of 100. And everyone that carries that passion within themselves has a story to tell. Meaning there is no age requirement for submitting an article, I have an author who’s barely in high school, and others who are well into their 80’s.
There are several ways a hopeful author can be published in The Fisherman…
- Our Digital Columns cover a range of topics (Surf, Offshore, Inshore, Freshwater, Fly Fishing, Kayak, Tackle Tip, Recipe) these stories should be around 750 words and include one photo.
- Our Hotspot stories are focused on one location and the fishing that can found there. They can cover ledges, wrecks, rips, points, shore access areas, piers, jetties or any other fishy location. These stories should run about 750 words with one map image.
- Unique to the New England Edition, we have the One Fish column, these are strictly fish stories, about a notable catch, a crushing loss, a personal best or a special catch by a friend or family member. These stories should be around 750 words and include one photo.
- Feature Articles might find themselves in the local section or the glossy section, these are more technique or destination based and can cover a wide range of saltwater and freshwater species, we focus heavily on local fishing, and space for travel-related stories is limited. These stories can run 1200 to 2000 words with three to five photos.
- Tale End this column is overseen by my New Jersey counterpart, Jim Hutchinson, Jr. and these stories tend to focus on a fishing experience. Maybe a trip with good friends, maybe a memory from a long time ago or maybe a time when nothing seemed to go your way. Like the other ‘column style’ entries, these run about 750 words and should be accompanied by one photo.
Yes, you will be paid for your work and the amount depends on the type of story and the quality of the photos. So if you’ve been wanting to give writing a try, this is your casting call: shoot me an email at danderson@thefisherman.com and we’ll get the ball rolling. I’m looking forward to hearing from you!
