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
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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. Submitters are not paid if their work is selected for publication in the open calls.
please read
important
thank you for your understanding!
If we choose you to be published in Trailblazher, we currently require that you supply your own professional, photos to accompany your article.
YOU DO NOT NEED to supply professional 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
very important
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.
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 18
SPRING
theme: AWAKENING
ON THE STANDS: March 1 – May 31, 2025
TOPICS OF INTEREST
Gardening, seed prep, natural Spring inspired décor, Easter topics, Mother’s Day topics, Spring recipes and projects, Season of new babies on the farm, natural Spring cleaning tips/tricks, organizing your home/space for a new season, renewing our mindsets, topics around mental wellness, a season of purging what is no longer needed, creating space for the new, preparing for growth.
TITLES/ARTICLES WE ARE LOOKING FOR
· Clearing Away the Winter Cobwebs and Readying Your Home for Spring
· The Challenges and Joys of Caring for Farm Babies in the Spring
· DIY Mother’s Day Gift That Will Make Her Feel Loved Even More
· How To Step into the Warmer Months with More Energy and Enthusiasm
· Titles related to the theme
DEADLINE TO SUBMIT IS DECEMBER 1, 2024 AT 5PM MST
issue 15
SUMMER
theme: JOY
ON THE STANDS: June 1 – Aug 31, 2024
TOPICS OF INTEREST
Farmer’s markets, everything gardening, summer weddings, BBQ season, outdoor entertaining, picnics, movie nights outdoors, Summer's must-have have accessories, rodeo season, summer drinks, harvesting the garden, a season of action and adventure, gathering together for good times, creating, growing and producing.
TITLES/ARTICLES WE ARE LOOKING FOR
· DIY Skincare: From Garden to Glow
· Tailgate Picnics for Your Summer Get-Togethers
· Four Must-Have Summer Accessories
· Delicious Sun-Brewed Tea Recipes to Quench Your Thirst
· Raspberry Abundance – What to Make from Your Abundant Summer Crop
· Titles related to the theme JOY
DEADLINE TO SUBMIT IS MARCH 15th, 2024 AT 5PM MST
apply for spring
apply for summer
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 Rage 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 1st, 2024 AT 5PM MST
apply for fall
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
apply for WINTER
Ongoing Submissions
These are recurring segments in Trailblazher Magazine and are always open! We welcome returning contributors.
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
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