Totally Extreme
You love motocross, snowboarding, skateboarding–all those things that I used to call “extreme” sports which apparently is such a stupid, outdated word that those in the know want to vomit when they hear it. More and more publications covering these sports are coming out, so channel your interest into some clips. I got some advice from guys who know how:
Writer Jack Spilberg, who works in-house at sports publisher Transworld Media, has a few pieces of advice on breaking into skating, snowboarding, surf, motocross and other related publications.
“Check the mastheads of your favorite magazines and pitch the editors. Know what you’re talking about, know the sections in the magazine, and only pitch current, compelling ideas.”
If you’re looking for publications to pitch, Spilberg recommends Sacklunch, “sort or an insiders’ resource.”
As for style, make sure it sounds like you know what you’re talking about. “Avoid words like ‘extreme’. That’s a big no-no in the skateboarding, surfing, motocross, etc world. ‘Extreme’ is an obvious poseur indicator to core-action sports enthusiasts. Also don’t pretend to know what you’re talking about. Respect for the magazine, athletes, and culture should be apparent in your style.”
Does one need to skate, surf, and bike to cover the topic? It helps considerably, but “if you’re a skilled enough writer and are in tune with the industry, culture, etc– you can pull it off. I got started freelance writing by sending in video reviews for new skateboard, surf, BMX, snowboard, etc reviews. I worked at a skateboard/snowboard shop in LA and had unlimited access to the latest action sports films. When a new one would come in, I’d write up an entertaining review and send out to the leading magazines for no charge. Eventually they started publishing them and allowing me to pitch and write features and interviews. I’d suggest a similar approach: video or music reviews are a great way to get the attention of the editors.”
“Ride your bike, skate, or participate in whatever sport it is that you do,” advises writer Danny Parks. “I’ve always had an interest in writing and simply wrote about what I knew. My first published story was an industry magazine contribution about my local riding scene. The deeper the involvement is, the more accurate and honest the writing has the opportunity to be. It’s great to be an enthusiast but it is much more difficult to have that understanding of what it takes to do what we do and understand the lifestyles that go along.”
If you can find a current, new spin on a topic, suggests Parks, use it. “Basically though, every issue of the first magazine I pitched had a “Local Scene” report and I felt that New York needed to be represented so I contacted the magazine. They agreed that the New York City story needed to be told and printed it. It also helped that they knew who I was from being in the scene for so long – I competed, ran businesses, and had grown up riding in New York City.”
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