We invite rural women from Canada and the US to submit their stories, photos, perspectives and dreams to be considered for publication in Trailblazher. Our general guideline to define 'rural' is that you live in a town/community of 7500 people or less, or of course in the countryside. Please note, if you are just beyond this guideline and know that you would be a great fit for Trailblazher, please email us - we would love to hear from you.
We welcome all women living a rural lifestyle in North America, that includes women in ag, ranchers, homesteaders, western lifestyle, makers, creatives, coaches, professionals, farmers and beyond!
We believe in the power of storytelling.
apply to be published in trailblazher
please read the information on this page carefully
first time hearing of trailblazher magazine? click below
learn more
We're looking for unique perspectives, rural living challenges, impactful stories and beyond for publication in Trailblazher. You can pitch yourself for a story, suggest a rural woman to be featured, or suggest a topic that you would like to research OR submit for our seasonally specific call-outs.
Please make sure that your submission is suitable for Trailblazher magazine. We ask that you are familiar with the style, tone and standard in Trailblazher before applying.
*Please do not submit the same idea multiple times. Please do not email about the status of your submission; you will be contacted if your work is chosen for publication. Trailblazher is quarterly and sometimes we're planning issues nearly a year in advance.
By submitting to Trailblazher, you confirm that you are the creator and author of the work and that you are not infringing on anyone's copyrighted material or utilizing AI. You are allowing Trailblazher to publish the work in print, digitally and on our website and in any related magazine or brand productions and promotions. Unless otherwise noted, there is no fee to submit to Trailblazher magazine. Our guest contributors are not currently paid if their work is selected for publication in the open calls (we are working on our distribution which will allow us to in the future), however every contributor has access to our affiliate program which helps you earn a commission with every sale purchased through your link. We also send you a copy of the Issue you are published in!
For this reason, if you are a professional writer or journalist, Trailblazher may not be the right fit for you if being monetarily compensated is a priority. There are many other benefits to being amongst the Trailblazher community.
please read
important
thank you for your understanding!
By submitting to be published in Trailblazher, we require that you are able to supply quality photos to accompany your article, or have access to quality photos. A lot of our contributors a) submit brand photos or lifestyle photos they already have or b) coordinate a new shoot for photos they can also use for their businesses.
YOU DO NOT NEED to supply quality photos at the time of application, HOWEVER, supplying a link to professional photos with your application increases your odds of being chosen to be published as it helps us with our deadlines and coordination immensely - it makes your submission 'print ready'!
about photos
If you are applying to be published, we hope that you understand the quality, style and tone of photography in Trailblazher. We prefer warm tones, journalistic photography depicting real rural life. We require a mixture of landscape and portrait orientation for every article with a minimum of 300 dpi. File formats we except: jpeg.
please submit photos that are seasonally appropriate if you are applying for a specific issue
by applying to be published in trailblazher magazine, you agree that you are a rural woman in north america, living in a community of 7500 people or less, or close to it.
Spring march | april | may
summer june | july | aug
Fall sept | oct | nov
winter dec | jan | feb
TRAILBLAZHER HITS THE STANDS:
ongoing submissions
current open calls
Here are the ways you can apply.
Only successful applicants will be contacted.
how it works
1. CURRENT CALLOUT'S - specific segments and themes for upcoming issues
2. ONGOING SUBMISSIONS - recurring segments in every issue
3. SUGGEST A TRAILBLAZHER - a rural woman we should know about
click each section
suggest a trailblazher
Open Call's for Submissions
trailblazher magazine
Open calls for upcoming issues are posted here. Make sure you’re on the Insiders Club List to get notified of any new opportunities! We welcome returning contributors.
issue 16
FALL
theme: transition
ON THE STANDS: Sept 1 – Nov 31, 2024
TOPICS OF INTEREST
Harvest season, Thanksgiving, back-to-school, finishing up the garden, fairs, gatherings, field meals, fall fashion, self-care, food preservation, Halloween, Christmas markets, A season of reaping the rewards, replenishing stores, acknowledging abundance, caring for self.
TITLES/ARTICLES WE ARE LOOKING FOR
· Five Ways to Tie a Wild Rag for a Fall Fashion Statement
· Farm to Table Meals That Will Nourish Your Spirit as Well as Your Body
· Preserving and Drying Your Favourite Fruits, Veggies and Meats
· For the Love of Bread – Sourdough Making for Beginners
· Prize Winning Chili Recipes for Fall Entertaining
· Titles related to the theme TRANSITION
DEADLINE TO SUBMIT IS JUNE 30, 2024 AT 5PM MST
closed
issue 17
WINTER
theme: stillness
ON THE STANDS: Dec 1, 2024 – Feb 31, 2025
TOPICS OF INTEREST
Holiday season, crafting and handmade (knitting, crocheting, felting), party ideas, food from scratch, sourdough bread, stocking stuffers, slowing down, sustainable living. A season of slowing down, taking stock, reflecting, acknowledging growth, envisioning the future. Honouring a slow start to the Year.
TITLES/ARTICLES WE ARE LOOKING FOR
· Easy DIY Winter Nourishing Cream
· Fast and Hearty Soups for Cold Winter Days
· Top Four Online Classes That Will Make You Smarter
· Breathing Techniques That Will Put the Calm Back into Your Life
· Delicious Appetizers That Will Spoil Your Guests
· Titles related to the theme STILLNESS
DEADLINE TO SUBMIT IS SEPT 1st AT 5PM MST
CLOSED
Ongoing Submissions
These are recurring segments in Trailblazher Magazine and are always open! We welcome returning contributors. Apply below!
This is the place to pitch your story or idea. Want to share your thoughts or research on fibre, regenerative farming, rural motherhood etc. then submit your idea here. Our Quick Pitch is the place to submit a mini profile as we refer to our growing list when we are looking for future articles, interesting perspectives and unique stories.
Idea Pitches
SUBMIT my response
Rural readers answer a question in 35 words or less. all reader submitted. returning contributors welcome.
Rural Reflections
SUBMIT my response
These Hands of Mine is a 1 page feature with 5-8 photos (landscape and portrait) depicting the roles you play as a rural woman. Your written contribution completes the sentence: 'The Hands of Mine...'. 100 word maximum. You supply professional photos ready to be published. We accept submissions for all seasons.
These Hands of Mine
SUBMIT my response
Make It is a 4-6 page segment teaching a user-friendly, fun and useful DIY project. A 500-750 word intro/story plus professional photos to accompany each step of the tutorial. Past projects have been: Feed Sack Bag, Egg Collecting Apron etc. 8-10 final photos for publication will be required (mix of horizontal and portrait).
Make It
SUBMIT my response
We gather the thoughts of our rural readers in a long form Q&A. Deep questions with meaningful responses of 2-6 sentences.
Long form Q&A
SUBMIT my response
Suggest a Trailblazher
Do you know a rural woman in North America who would be an incredible fit for Trailblazher magazine? Whether she runs a full-time rural enterprise or a side hustle – tell us about her below.
We require that she lives in a town/community of 7500 people or less, or of course in the countryside. Submit her profile here and tell us why you think our readers would be inspired by her! Thank you!
SUBMIT my suggestion
© 2024 Trailblazher Co. All Rights Reserved.
Legal