If you like the idea of your work being read by wealthy people of leisure while on vacation, you might want to pitch Coastal Living.

"Freelancers will have the best chance of getting accepted if they pitch 800- to 1000-word features to the 'Homes' section, which makes up 50-60 percent of the book, and the 'Travel' section," writes Chrys Wu. 'Lifestyle' tends to be a smaller section and therefore a tougher pitch. Now chant this like a mantra: 'See, smell, or touch water.' Any successful story idea must feature a place that allows the reader to do at least one of these things."

Don't pitch "Food and Entertaining" or otherwise anything that would be right for a major travel magazine.

CL has a very long lead time, so you'll want to check the editorial calendar before you pitch. Keep your pitches to a page, send them snail-mail, and include pictures.