The PPA was pleased to host editors from top lifestyle magazines who shared tips on getting feature coverage.
Joanna Coles
Executive Editor, More Magazine
375 Lexington Avenue, 9th floor
New York, NY 10017
Ph: 212-499-1730
EMAIL: Joanna.coles@meredith.com
More uses books to help tell the story and life experiences of women over the age of 40. Book review editor is Barbara Jones, but since the staff is small, you can send submissions to either Joanna or Barbara. Each issue features two book pages, but they also use books and authors in feature pieces. They do NOT want any chick lit, books with male protagonists, or books featuring main characters that are not women over the age of 40. They are interested in keeping experts on file for future articles.
More’s competition includes Oprah and Real Simple, but the 40-60 year-old affluent women’s niche is very much theirs. From publishers, they’d like to see seasonal catalogs, and would prefer if someone from the publicity department calls to go over the books that would appeal to the magazine’s editors. They appreciate creative pitches, including nontraditional ways to use books and authors (aside from book reviews). They are open to featuring an author as an essayist in their back-of-issue essay section, so submit authors’ writing samples (i.e. first chapter) via email.
The magazine participates in many different events that serve marketing purposes, including: More Marathon, More Model Search, More Mirabella, and staged events on fitness and health topics. Publicists are encouraged to submit authors whose lives or subjects may tie in.
Liz Egan,
Books Editor, SELF Magazine
4 Times Square, 5th Floor
New York, NY 10036
Ph: 212-286-8110
EMAIL: Liz_Egan@condenast.com
SELF is more then just fitness but focuses on lifestyle. They are interested in seeing books on health, nutrition, fitness, psychology books, cook books, as well as memoirs and essay anthologies. They are not interested in relationship books, chick lit, and are not likely going to do a self help title. SELF’s competition would be magazines like Shape, Fitness, and Glamour.
Liz is interested in seeing seasonal catalogs and relies heavily on rights guides since they plan their issues up to five months ahead. The sooner she can receive galleys the better. The latest she is able to look at books is three months ahead. She would like to receive lists of experts on a variety of topics to have on file for future articles. They do a summer reading round up and their December issue is the “best of” the year.
Kyle Smith
Book Columnist for Best Life,
Contributor of book reviews to People & The Wall Street Journal. Film critic for the New York Post.
New York Post
9th Floor, Features
1211 Sixth Avenue
NY, NY 10036
Ph: 212-930-8066
EMAIL: kylesmith@nypost.com
Best Life is a guide to having a good life but considers itself a little less uptight then some of the other men’s magazines. They are interested in seeing coffee table books, literary books, and anything else that might be of interest for upscale men 35 years plus. Best Life’s competition is GQ & Esquire.
Kyle Smith is interested in seeing catalogs, galleys and finished books for anything of interest for Best Life or NY Post readers.
Kate Bolick
Senior Editor, Domino Magazine
4 Times Square, 18th floor
New York, NY 10036
EMAIL: Kate_bolick@condenast.com
Domino has a 3-4 month lead time, but they are willing to consider materials as early as possible. Currently, they publish 10 issues per year. Kate is the primary person for books having to do with décor, art history, biography, poetry and memoirs. For Food and Health topics, contact Zoe Wolff; for Home, contact Danielle Elearo; and for Architecture and Design, contact Ruth Altchek. When sending galleys, it is always best to send visual elements along, including author photos, jacket art, and anything else that might add to the visual package. When following up, it is optimal to reach any of the editors via email.
Real Simple and Martha Stewart Living are Domino’s main competitors, and the median age of their readers is 36. They cater to upscale, intelligent women who enjoy articles on decorating, art, home and history. There are many ways to feature books (although the magazine does not currently publish book reviews, author features, or book excerpts), including the “10 Things That Make Me Happy” page that runs in every issue, and seasonal gift guides.
They are willing to consider any book that has great visual elements or striking art illustrations, including children’s titles. Kate expressed interest in receiving lists of author experts, and they will definitely consider profiling an author in his or her home. |
