Working with bazaar

FREELANCE GUIDELINES:

bazaar is published monthly from Kuwait and distributed across the nation as well as to subscribers internationally. Our readers are mainly bilingual Kuwaiti Nationals, Arab, Asian, and Western expats who find themselves sharing the beautiful beaches and ample driving spaces of Kuwait. bazaar enjoys a circulation of at least 10,000 copies within Kuwait (each read by an average of 4 to 5 people).

We purchase mostly short-length news pieces and profiles (450 – 700 words), as well as medium-length work (750 words and above, max 1200 words). From freelancers, our strong preference is for short articles recounting tales of experiences in Kuwait and local reviews with outstanding story telling. Writer-reporters must check with bazaar before covering a local place, person or event and must specify whether the corresponding photography will be provided by the writer him/herself, or if bazaar photography is needed.

We prefer short (1-3 paragraph) story proposals, but will consider finished pieces. We like new work, but will consider a piece that has appeared elsewhere (though not in this region) in some form or another. Pitches and finished pieces should give a strong sense of art, local angle and sources – and indicate that you understand the interests of our audience. Please have a look at our website (www.bazaar-magazine.com) to get a sense of the magazines’ style.

Generally speaking, bazaar will not publish stories on the topics of sex, religion or politics. Our local coverage is unlike any other in the country; we seek the unusual, the opinionated, the disenchanted, the bizarre. We prize analysis and context in news, insights and humour, and diplomacy in our reviews. Social issues, culture, entertainment, local-celebrity interviews — anything goes, so long as it is current or a unique look back at a significant (if nearly forgotten) past incident.

We are an English-Arabic publication; 70% English, 30% Arabic content. All of our readers are either living in Kuwait, used to live in Kuwait, do business in Kuwait, or are related to Kuwait in some other close association. In short, if your pitch isn’t related to Kuwait – at least conceptually – then we’re not terribly interested. Local art exhibition? Yes. Local store or restaurant? Perhaps; check to see if it’s already been covered. Local person (Kuwaiti or expat) doing something different? Bring it on! Movie reviews? No thanks. Health tips and diet advice? Please no.

We’re a national social and entertainment title with some international news coverage. Pitch us, or send us, stories about entertainment, art, culture, social issues and business. We are decidedly not interested in poetry or the essays that you wrote for senior year – Creative Writing class. Photo essays might be interesting as long as the topic is right and the images are dynamic, but still pass censor inspection. We are looking for local reviews and interesting stories, well told.

We pay locally competitive rates in Kuwaiti Dinars to freelancers based in Kuwait and abroad. Payment is within 30 days of publication. We’re generally faster, but please allow one month from the issue date for receipt of payment.

All stories must be submitted electronically as Word attachments in .RTF format (Mac or PC) as well as pasted into the body of the e-mail message. AP style is optional. Photos may also be sent electronically as .EPS, .JPG or .TIF files. We will let you know additional details on resolution and size if you’re sending us pics with your pieces.

Please direct any questions, pitches or pieces to info@bazaar-magazine.com with the words “bazaar: Freelance” in your subject heading.