One time I met Jon Stewart in an airport in line at McDonald's, and chatted him up for about 20 seconds about something he said in an interview in Details. It wasn't an incredibly deep conversation and he probably thought I was an idiot, but I was thankful to Details for giving me something to say other than "You're awesome. Try the fries."

"Trying to pinpoint the exact reader is a difficult chore, but anytime you see an urbane, sophisticated male, chances are Details is on his coffee table. And that's the chap you need to write for when you pitch the magazine," writes Kyle du Ford. "That chap may be gay. He may be straight. And it doesn't much matter. Yes, Details has been accused of being overtly gay in a straight package, but who cares?"

Sections like "Know & Tell", "Art," "Travel" and "Dossier" are freelancer friendly. Avoid sports, stuff that's too quirky and anything you'd see in Maxim. Send your pitches by e-mail and never phone.