Circulation: 22 million
Frequency: Bimonthly
Special issues: None
Background: Turning 50 means turning all the way up and embracing the second half of your life. That’s what it should mean, anyway. AARP The Magazine sure thinks so.
The bimonthly lifestyle publication helps the baby boomer and Silent generations—and even some early Gen-Xers, who began hitting the mid-century mark in 2015—live their lives to the fullest by providing in-depth coverage of the topics that matter to them most.
AARP The Magazine separates itself from other general-interest pubs with similar content and a broad audience, such as Reader’s Digest and weekly newspaper magazine Parade, by consistently churning out lively, emotional content for its 37 million-plus members. “The magazine celebrates all the possibilities of life after 50,” says Guroff.
What to pitch: The magazine publishes three editions: The “A Book” for 50- to 59-year-olds; the “B Book” for 60- to 69-year-olds; and the “C Book” for those 70 and older. In-house staff and regular contributors write celebrity profiles and sections such as “Money” and “Health,” but there are opportunities for freelancers who pitch smart stories with current hooks or hard-hitting emotional or investigative narratives that will resonate with readers. Personal essays also work. They should contain original thoughts on an experience of broad interest to people over 50.
Writing content for regional pages is another good way to get a foot in the door at AARP The Magazine. Regional pages aren’t in every copy of the magazine; they’re extra pages found in magazines delivered to a particular area, according to advertising needs. Editors often place additional travel stories opposite BOB regional ads, and fun, trendy entertainment pieces opposite front-of-book regional ads.
What not to pitch: Pieces about older people doing the same thing they’ve been doing since before they turned 50 or doing something that wouldn’t be newsworthy if done by a younger person won’t make the cut, so nix the “Still practicing law at 80” and “Running a marathon at 70” stories. Op-eds won’t work either.
Online opportunities: The magazine doesn’t have its own website; it’s folded into a space on AARP’s page. Only about 20 percent of the magazine’s content makes it to the Web, so online opportunities for freelancers are minimal. However, writers are encouraged to think about multiplatform approaches to their stories.
What publicists should pitch: Trend stories that impact the 50-plus set rule. Stories should focus on topics related to health, personal finance, travel and food.
Percentage of freelance content: About 60 percent
Percentage of freelance submissions accepted: 1 percent (But don’t get discouraged. The low percentage is more about the insane number of pitches the editors receive than it is them not liking or accepting what they’re receiving.)
Recent freelance stories pitched and published: “The Power of Touch,” a piece about the science of skin contact appeared in the December/January 2016 issue. The article talked about a cheap, practical way to feel better physically and emotionally. “Because the lack of touch is a problem that affects a lot of older people who have lost their partners, it had a special significance for the magazine’s readers,” explains Guroff.
Etiquette: Pitch editors via email. If you’re new to the mag, be sure to send a few clips to show off your writing chops, especially if you’ve worked on similar stories in the past.
Lead time: Six to seven months
Pay rate: $2 a word for print; $1 for online
Payment schedule: At least 30 days after an article has been submitted and approved
Kill fee: Commensurate with the amount of work performed
Rights purchased: All rights
Contact info:
AARP The Magazine
601 E Street NW
Washington, D.C. 20049
www.AARP.org/magazine
Twitter handle: @AARPMag
Email format: FirstInitialLastName@aarp.org
Direct all pitches to the appropriate editor:
For health, executive editor Rachel Nania: RNANIA at AARP dot ORG
For film and television, features editor Bill Newcott: WNEWCOTT at AARP dot ORG
For work and personal finance, executive editor Jim Henderson: JHENDERSON at AARP dot ORG
For travel, entertainment and lifestyle editor Lorrie Lynch, LLYNCH at AARP dot ORG
For entertainment and celebrity profiles, entertainment director Meg Grant: MGRANT at AARP dot ORG
For investigative and general features, personal and longer essays, food, fitness and “Personal Best,” executive editor Margaret Guroff: MGUROFF at AARP dot ORG
EDITOR’S NOTE: Though we’ve updated this article recently, the speed at which things move in media means things may have already changed since then. Please email us if you notice any outdated info.
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