Writing For The Holidays – There’s Still (Some) Time

Good heavens! It’s almost August!  From a freelance writer’s point of view, it’s almost past time to submit articles for the year-end holidays.  In the U.S., those holidays  starts as early as Halloween or October 31 and goes right on to New Years Eve.

Print magazines and the magazines within major newspapers assign three, six and sometimes even 12 months ahead. Websites have more flexibility.

By features I’m talking about articles that help people get ready for the holidays like: Halloween Costumes for Your Toddler or Helping Your Teenager Make Christmas Candles, Recipes for Hanukkah, Fasting for Ramadan or How to Display Your Flag on the Fourth. Included in the feature category you can also include stories that tap into the reader’s holiday emotions.

Features require planning ahead. News stories, on the other hand, report on holidays, like the winners of the costume contest, or calendar listings.

Of course, holidays happen all year around, and vary from location to location. Here are some links to help you plan your holiday writing no matter what time of year.

• US Federal Holidays – Adjusts as necessary each year.
• Interfaith Calendar – holidays for major religions here
• Earth Calendar – is user friendly and covers both secular and religious holidays around the planet.

Write well and often,

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Tagged as: freelance writing