Submitting Content To DesertUSA.com

We currently do not pay for any article submitted and no longer posting them .

If you would like to submit an article, story, or personal adventure to DesertUSA.com for possible publication, you can do so by following the guidelines listed below. DesertUSA.com reserves the right to refuse any content submitted.

DesertUSA Writers Guidelines

DesertUSA.com is an Internet-based, regional publication, focusing on travel, wildlife, geology, desert lore, and cultural and natural history related to the North American Desert regions. The first issue of DesertUSA.com was launched on October 1, 1997, and has received an overwhelmingly positive response.

Currently, DesertUSA's Web site receives approximately 250,000 visitors per month. Although our publication has a regional focus, our readership spans the globe with subscribers in most countries.

Subject Matter

The main editorial focus of DesertUSA.com is travel in the North American Desert and surrounding regions. A strong emphasis on natural and cultural history is a major theme in our website and a popular interest to readers. Adventure, desert lore, photo essays, events, and southwest arts & crafts are also consistently represented in our editorial. We have over 6000 pages online now, use our search engine to see what we already have on the site. We are only interested in new material.

Wildlife (Natural History)
A feature consisting of 1200 to 1500 words dealing with a specific animal or plant species, biome, or ecosystem. First or third person is preferred with an emphasis on education, wildlife conservation, and personal experience. We want our readers to learn while being entertained. Photos are required unless DesertUSA.com agrees to provide them.

Native American & Southwest Arts & Crafts
Art is an important part of southwest cultural history. Features on this topic range from 1200 to 1500 words, photos are required. First or third person is accepted. Some examples of topics include; Navajo rugs, pottery, jewelry, Katchina dolls, sand painting, tools of Native Peoples, etc. Photographs are required.

Adventure
Almost any outdoor activity can become an adventure. Adventure features are approximately 1200 to 1500 words and are written from a personal experience perspective. Do not give lengthy descriptions of how to get to the location, this information can be put in a side-bar titled Travel Notes. The article should focus on your interpretation of the activity, plants and animals you see along the way, and the geology of the location of your adventure. Rock climbing, river rafting, back road auto tours, are all adventures type activities which can be turned into exciting adventure stories. Photographs are required.

Travel
Whether a small charming town, scenic park, deserted ghost town or a remote location off the beaten track, DesertUSA wants readers to learn about it. Travel features range from 1200 to 1500 words and interprets a location where travelers can visit. First or third person is acceptable. Content should focus on what there is to see and do when a visitor travels to this special place. What type of plants and animals can a traveler see along the way? Are there any unusual geological features or points of interest that are a must see? Personal perspective and experience make the article more interesting and help readers get a better sense of the place you are writing about. Photographs required.

History
Features ranging from prehistoric and native American cultures to current history occurring within the last few hundred years is included in this section. Ancient cultures, historical sites, legendary trail blazers, explorers, settlers, cowboys, are examples of cultural history topics. Historical features range from 1200 to 1700 words and a list of sources is required. Photographs are required.

Desert Lore
Stories of lost mines, ghosts, hidden treasures, and mysterious ships seen in the shifting desert sands all qualify as desert lore. Features should be 1000 to 1500 words and include a source list and notes on any fictional content. Photographs are required.

Unfortunately, we don't pay for any article submitted.

Sample Writer Contract

Manuscript License Agreement

AGREEMENT, by and between Digital West Media, Inc. dba DesertUSA.com a California corporation with offices at 15011 Highland Valley Rd Escondido, CA 92025 and ________________residing ----______________________________________________________________ (the "Author").

WHEREAS, Author owns or controls copyright, publishing and other ancillary rights with respect to the titles listed below (collectively, the "Materials");

The Materials

1. Manuscript Titled: ___________________________________

2. Photographs provided by Author: 3 to 5 required

Author hereby grants to DesertUSA.one-time rights to:

(i) reproduce the Materials in digital form for inclusion in an Internet-based Magazine (in combination with other works, such as audio, video, animation or graphics);

(ii) distribute the publication, a digital representation of the Materials, on a worldwide basis through transfer of digital information via Internet.

(iii) archive the Materials, in digital format, in DesertUSA's Internet-based Archive indefinitely. These archives may be highlighted and linked from other sections of the DesertUSA Web site. The Materials may be featured on the home Web page or other Web pages of DesertUSA more than one time.

Editing

DesertUSA.com reserves the right to edit Materials for space and style.

Delivery of Materials

Author shall provide all text materials in digital format via email. All photographs need to be provided in digital format, 72 dpi, .jpg file type and 800 pixels wide.. Illustrations and other graphics need to be supplied by author in a format compatible with DesertUSA's system.

Author's Credit (If you want your credit to appear differently let me know via email ASAP) Author's credit will read as follows:

Text and Photographs by _____________________

Fees

Unfortunately, we don't pay for any article submitted at this time.

Warranty and Indemnity

Author warrants and represents that the Materials in no way violate any existing copyright, either in whole or in part, and that they contain no matter which, if published, will be libelous. Author shall defend and indemnify DesertUSA.com from all damages, costs and expenses including attorney's fees, as well as any claim, suit, loss or damage as a result of a breach of the above warranties and representations. Author shall have the right to select counsel. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Author shall not be liable for any matter not specifically contained in the Materials and inserted in the Product by DesertUSA.com, whether with or without the permission of Author.

Entire Agreement

This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the parties with respect to this subject matter and supersedes all previous proposals, both oral and written, negotiations, representations, commitments, writings and all other communications between the parties. This Agreement may not be released, discharged or modified except by an instrument in writing signed by the parties.

Jurisdiction and Venue

This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of California, without reference to its conflicts of laws provisions. Jurisdiction for litigation of any dispute, controversy or claim arising out of or in connection with this Agreement, shall be only in a Federal or the State Court having subject matter jurisdiction located in San Diego County, California.

IN WITNESS WHERE OF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of the date hereof.

MANUSCRIPT AUTHOR DesertUSA.com

By:___________________ __ Date:______ ________________________ Date:___________

Print Name: ____________________________

Content Format & Submission Instructions

1. All manuscript text needs to be submitted to DesertUSA via e-mail, attached file to an e-mail. Send the e-mail to dusa_feedback@desertusa.com The subject of the e-mail should be DesertUSA_submissions

2. Digital images via e-mail.

Click here to e-mail a submission ( this link open an e-mail if your e-mail is connected to your browser. If it does not work for you send e-mail to dusa_feedback@desertusa.com