How to Pitch: Yankee

'The expression' of New England culture, this bimonthly seeks freelancers' regional stories

By Jeanne O'Brien Coffey - January 12, 2012

The information in this article is current and accurate.

Circulation: 350,000
Frequency: Six times a year
Special issues: May/June Travel issue

Background: When Yankee launched in 1935, the publication's main mission was to preserve the iconic culture of New England that founder Robb Sagendorph feared was vanishing from the landscape. While the editorial focus has evolved to embrace color photography and service pieces over its storied history, it is still true to its roots: offering unique and often very personal perspectives on the six New England states.

"Our mission has always been New England. Is it about place? Is it about people interacting with place? That's the first thing we ask and it's the filter for everything -- does it say something about New England?" said editor Mel Allen, who started with the publication 31 years ago, writing for every department on his way up the masthead.

Yankee, and sister publication The Old Farmer's Almanac, is put out by Yankee Publishing Inc., family owned and one of few independent publishing companies left in the country. Company president Jamie Trowbridge is the grandson of founder Sagendorph and publisher J.D. Hale is his great-nephew.

With a legacy of publishing writers from Dorothy Canfield Fisher to Stephen King, the magazine also prides itself on discovering new blood. "There is nothing that gives me more pleasure than finding new writers," Allen said. "It's the most fun part of the editor's job."

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