How to Write for Men's Magazines
Some of Ernest Hemingway's best short fiction was written for Esquire magazine. Believe it or not, it's also possible to say with a straight face that you buy Playboy for its writing. However, the chances of an author placing an article in either of these magazines that describes ten ways to use old coffee cans to make holiday ornaments are pretty slim. There are styles and subject matter that qualify some for writing for men's magazines and disqualify others.
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Instructions
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Preview 3 or 4 months of a specific magazine before submitting anything. For example, some magazines, like Esquire, spend a reasonable amount of print on hip fashions, while others, like ESPN, do not.
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Review the work of authors who have secured a steady "gig" with a magazine. For example, read some of the work of Tom Junod who regularly writes for Esquire or Gay Talese who wrote for Playboy.
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Pick an area of interest and become a relative expert in that area. For men's magazines, the most common topics for articles are: fashion, alcohol, sports--both professional sports figures (particularly dangerous, interesting extreme sports) and individual sports, exotic travel, technology and male icons.
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Pick an unusual topic or personality from that area of interest and commit to original research of that topic or personality.
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Write an article about that niche of a niche. When pitching the article, emphasize not only the unusual character of its topic but also the unique nature of the information you are presenting.
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Use this article as a springboard for other articles about the same topic.
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Expand your expertise to other topics.
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Tips & Warnings
Since the original research for your first article may well be limited by funds, try to find one that is minimally extravagant. For example, choose the minor league record holder for most home runs--the real Bull Durham--rather than Barry Bonds.
