How To Pitch: Better Homes And Gardens

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Circulation: 7.6 million (40 million readership)
Frequency: Monthly
Special issues: Heart Health (February), Breast Cancer Awareness (October), Back-to-School (September). The magazine runs themed issues, too; the editorial calendar is available by request.

Background: Better Homes and Gardens began in the early 1920s as Fruit Garden and Home and evolved to its current title by 1924. BHG's latest incarnation remains close to the original concept, offering readers creative ideas for (you guessed it!) their homes and gardens. But while those articles still fill the majority of the book, dynamic lifestyle and wellness coverage -- with stories on beauty, style, health, family and money -- have helped add to BHG's longevity in the shrinking shelter category.

In its more than eight decades in print, the magazine's undergone many editorial updates. Most recently, says senior deputy lifestyle editor Katherine Pushkar, they've revamped the front of the book with a new section called "Fresh." Featuring short items on everything from cooking and home entertaining ideas to new products and gadgets, the department adds a more timely element to the mag's pages. On a similar note, BHG has also bolstered its health, family and money sections with news pages. Better Homes and Gardens serves an audience of 40 million, and the target reader is a 40-something woman whose home is her pride and joy. Every story in the book speaks to the importance of home, including travel, which always takes the reader back home in the end....

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