Ancient History Markets

MysteryRiter · 11-09-2011, 03:50 AM

I have posted this over at Freelance Writing, but realize it will probably be better here where there are people who actually write history. This is my first post in this folder! *waves*
Mods, feel free to delete my other thread (I don't know how to myself).
Anyway, I am seeking some mags/ezines that have an ancient/medieval non-ficiton history theme to them. I have never freelanced before but I really love history and have some potential articles to create. I tend to write to more ancient history and my writing usually focuses on unknown aspects of a certain event, for example I have done a tremendous amount of research on ancient war dogs. Who has heard of that?!? Is this topic sellable? I hope so... From reading this, do any of you have any suggestions for markets that may fit my writing concepts (a.k.a. commonly publishing non fiction articles about ancient history)? I have already read the 'history markets' sticky, so please don't refer me there, I just don't have the time to click on each individual market and see if they focus on what I'd like. Any help would be greatly appreciated! Thanks in advance!

Puma · 11-09-2011, 05:26 AM

I couldn't quite tell from your post whether you're talking about non-fiction or fiction. That will make a difference in possibilities. Puma

MysteryRiter · 11-09-2011, 06:19 AM

Non fiction, sorry. I'll go edit now.

Puma · 11-09-2011, 06:31 AM

The ones I'm most familiar with are Archaeology, Discover, National Geographic and Smithsonian magazines. All are very reputable and known for excellent articles. Discover is more scientific than the others, with Archaeology right behind it. Natl Geo and Smithsonian are more for the masses so not quite so technical. Sorry, but I don't know anything about e-zines. Puma

ETA: I'm assuming you're in the states; if not, you might want to let us know where you are 'cause that makes a difference too.

MysteryRiter · 11-09-2011, 06:42 AM

Thanks Puma! I'm from the US of A (and I can't believe I just said "US of A" O_o. Sleepless night last night should explain it), yes. I thought it would be EXTREMELY difficult to get accepted into the above... Thoughts? I like those suggestions. A lot. But those seem like a difficult place to start... Am I wrong?

Puma · 11-09-2011, 07:12 AM

I think it's pretty much a matter of your credentials - if you have them, you should have a decent shot, but, if you just happen to be someone interested in the particular fields and don't have the appropriate sheepskin, it could be a hard row to hoe. You'd have to do a darn good job of convincing them why you're the best writer to present the material (and if no one else is looking at topics such as the war dogs, it could be done.)

You might also take a couple minutes and check Amazon for ancient history magazines and see whether you can come up with some additional titles that might not be so daunting. Example: many states publish their own magazines and if an area of your interest is something particular to a state and you can start there, you could build up your credentials so they might be more acceptable to the big names. Puma

MysteryRiter · 11-09-2011, 07:20 AM

Thanks for the tips. I have about 0 creds for writing non fic. I'll look for some less daunting mags on amazon, thanks.

W.J. Cherf · 12-14-2011, 06:00 AM

Sorry to say, but the vast majority of publications that are devoted to ancient history are professionally vetted academic journals, where payment is in artical offprints. Even the more popular ones devoted to ancient Egypt: i.e., Kemet, Egyptology Today, etc., are vetted submissions.

11-09-2011, 03:50 AM	#1
MysteryRiter Murder isn't so bad... Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Oh, I wish I knew... Posts: 1,720	Ancient History Markets I have posted this over at Freelance Writing, but realize it will probably be better here where there are people who actually write history. This is my first post in this folder! waves Mods, feel free to delete my other thread (I don't know how to myself). Anyway, I am seeking some mags/ezines that have an ancient/medieval non-ficiton history theme to them. I have never freelanced before but I really love history and have some potential articles to create. I tend to write to more ancient history and my writing usually focuses on unknown aspects of a certain event, for example I have done a tremendous amount of research on ancient war dogs. Who has heard of that?!? Is this topic sellable? I hope so... From reading this, do any of you have any suggestions for markets that may fit my writing concepts (a.k.a. commonly publishing non fiction articles about ancient history)? I have already read the 'history markets' sticky, so please don't refer me there, I just don't have the time to click on each individual market and see if they focus on what I'd like. Any help would be greatly appreciated! Thanks in advance! Last edited by MysteryRiter; 11-09-2011 at 06:20 AM. Reason: non fic not fic

11-09-2011, 05:26 AM	#2
Puma Retired and loving it! Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Central Ohio Posts: 7,326	I couldn't quite tell from your post whether you're talking about non-fiction or fiction. That will make a difference in possibilities. Puma __________________ "Nothing ventured, nothing gained."

11-09-2011, 06:31 AM	#4
Puma Retired and loving it! Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Central Ohio Posts: 7,326	The ones I'm most familiar with are Archaeology, Discover, National Geographic and Smithsonian magazines. All are very reputable and known for excellent articles. Discover is more scientific than the others, with Archaeology right behind it. Natl Geo and Smithsonian are more for the masses so not quite so technical. Sorry, but I don't know anything about e-zines. Puma ETA: I'm assuming you're in the states; if not, you might want to let us know where you are 'cause that makes a difference too. __________________ "Nothing ventured, nothing gained." Last edited by Puma; 11-09-2011 at 06:33 AM.

11-09-2011, 07:12 AM	#6
Puma Retired and loving it! Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Central Ohio Posts: 7,326	I think it's pretty much a matter of your credentials - if you have them, you should have a decent shot, but, if you just happen to be someone interested in the particular fields and don't have the appropriate sheepskin, it could be a hard row to hoe. You'd have to do a darn good job of convincing them why you're the best writer to present the material (and if no one else is looking at topics such as the war dogs, it could be done.) You might also take a couple minutes and check Amazon for ancient history magazines and see whether you can come up with some additional titles that might not be so daunting. Example: many states publish their own magazines and if an area of your interest is something particular to a state and you can start there, you could build up your credentials so they might be more acceptable to the big names. Puma __________________ "Nothing ventured, nothing gained."

12-14-2011, 06:00 AM	#8
W.J. Cherf VP, Egyptian Studies Society Join Date: May 2011 Location: Centennial, CO Posts: 70	Professional academic journals Sorry to say, but the vast majority of publications that are devoted to ancient history are professionally vetted academic journals, where payment is in artical offprints. Even the more popular ones devoted to ancient Egypt: i.e., Kemet, Egyptology Today, etc., are vetted submissions. __________________ Now available on Amazon, Smashwords and Createspace! Author of the three manuscripts of the Richards' Trust: Bow Tie, Recovery, and Children of Ptah. Visit and begin to explore the adventures of Egyptologist Joseph Richards at:www.wjcherf.com

11-09-2011, 06:19 AM	#3
MysteryRiter Murder isn't so bad... Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Oh, I wish I knew... Posts: 1,720	Non fiction, sorry. I'll go edit now.

11-09-2011, 06:42 AM	#5
MysteryRiter Murder isn't so bad... Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Oh, I wish I knew... Posts: 1,720	Thanks Puma! I'm from the US of A (and I can't believe I just said "US of A" O_o. Sleepless night last night should explain it), yes. I thought it would be EXTREMELY difficult to get accepted into the above... Thoughts? I like those suggestions. A lot. But those seem like a difficult place to start... Am I wrong?

11-09-2011, 07:20 AM	#7
MysteryRiter Murder isn't so bad... Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Oh, I wish I knew... Posts: 1,720	Thanks for the tips. I have about 0 creds for writing non fic. I'll look for some less daunting mags on amazon, thanks.

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