Today's Parent Baby & Toddler Pregnancy
Today's Parent	Back to top
Introduction
Today's Parent is a consumer magazine for parents with children up to the age of 14. The circulation is approximately 190,000 and we have more than 1.7 million readers from across Canada. There are 12 issues per year. Today's Parent and its sister publications (Today's Parent: Pregnancy, Today's Parent: Baby & Toddler) are wholly owned by Rogers Media Publishing. Today's Parent offers a mixture of straightforward service articles and more philosophical or issue–oriented stories. The tone is positive and supportive, yet realistic. There are rarely black and white answers to child–rearing issues and we believe in being informative without being dictatorial. We invite parents to adopt those suggestions that may work for their families. The magazine embraces a gentle, nurturing parenting style that respects each child's unique personality. We understand the normal developmental needs and limitations shared by all children as they grow. We respect parents' ability to understand their children and to make good parenting decisions. Mothers and fathers are "parenting experts" too, and we rely on their anecdotes and experiences as sources of wisdom in our articles. Today's Parent recognizes that good parenting depends, in part, on adequate social support. Thus the magazine is also a voice for change around social issues that affect the quality of family life.
Editorial Lineup
Departments Assigned to Freelancers
Your Turn (every issue): a first–person forum for parents to share their experiences. Please note that we prefer to reserve this column for our readers rather than professional writers. (700 words; $200) Mom Time (every issue): recognizes that mothers are women, too, and deals with topics not directly related to parenting, including health, fitness, wellness, relationships, beauty and fashion. (Word length varies – usually 500-700 words) Education (every issue, except possibly July and August): tackles both straightforward subjects – helping with homework, field trips – and controversial or complex topics such as French immersion or phonics vs. whole language. The writer should avoid taking an academic or politicized approach. Education issues (e.g. standardized testing, public vs. private schools) are also occasionally covered in feature articles. (Word length varies – usually 500-700 words) Health (every issue): deals with common health issues affecting children – how to take a temperature, common baby ailments, ear infections – but also includes some investigative topics (e.g. are parents overusing the hospital ER?) The tone should be helpful, not alarmist. Health issues (including controversial ones) are also occasionally covered in feature articles. (Word length varies – usually 500-700 words) Behaviour (every issue): focuses on child development and discipline. Again, experiences or problems common to many families are preferable to extreme cases. We're looking for a supportive, constructive tone that acknowledges a variety of parenting styles. (Word length varies – usually 500-700 words) Money (every issue): covers family finance issues, such as banking, budgeting, saving and investing, as well as how to spend smarter. (Word length: 500 words) Several departments are written by regular contributors and are not open to freelancers. These include Uncommon Sense, Nutrition, Cooking With Kids and Steps and Stages.
Features
Today's Parent runs features of varying lengths in each issue, with a balance between the practical and the reflective, the light–hearted and the investigative. All articles should be grounded in the reality of Canadian family life. Without claiming to know all the answers, we try to leave the reader with a sense of positive direction. Feature topics can include such diverse stories as the evolving role of fathers, choosing the discipline technique that's right for your child, dealing with picky eaters, postpartum depression, returning to work, sex after childbirth, birthday party ideas, surrogate motherhood and child poverty. With some topics, the writer's personal experience as a parent adds a rich layer to the storytelling. Word length and fees vary depending on the length complexity of the story – usually 1,500 to 2,500 words.
How to Submit Queries
Please do not telephone queries. Send a detailed proposal by e-mail, or mail rather than a completed manuscript (except for Your Turn). If it's your first contact with us, enclose samples of previously published work. Queries should have a specific hook, not just a subject area (e.g. the pros and cons of the family bed, not just "kids' sleep") and should have wide appeal for a national audience (camping in New Brunswick is too local; coping with cystic fibrosis too specialized). Please indicate the word length you consider appropriate for the story. Please note that if we are interested in your story idea, we will contact you within six weeks. Mailed queries should include a stamped, self–addressed envelope. Today's Parent accepts no responsibility for unsolicited material. Because we promote ourselves as a Canadian magazine, we favour Canadian writers. Writers new to Today's Parent may be asked to write their first article on spec, especially if they have limited experience writing for consumer magazines.
Notes
If you are assigned an article, your handling editor will contact you by phone to discuss the direction of your assignment and will send you a contract specifying deadline and fee. Today's Parent reimburses telephone and some other expenses. Writers must send an invoice with their manuscript, including GST number. Fees will be paid 30 days after acceptance of the final article. Today's Parent routinely asks to secure the rights to publish articles online. The fee includes these rights, with details explained in the contract. Wherever possible, sources, statistics and anecdotal material in Today's Parent should be Canadian. Since we are a national magazine it is important to avoid a local bias. When selecting parents to interview, please try to include both mothers and fathers, and keep in mind that families have many configurations and many cultural backgrounds; we would like this diversity to be reflected in the pages of the magazine. Please be diligent and double–check names and titles, since not all stories are independently fact–checked. Include a list of your sources, with telephone numbers, with your MS and include the full address of any source who has asked to receive a copy of your article. Sidebars with supplementary information or practical tips are encouraged. We also like to include a list of resources for parents where appropriate, and we encourage writers to recommend relevant books, organizations and Web sites. Send your queries to: E-mail: queries@tpg.rogers.com or Queries, Today's Parent, One Mount Pleasant Rd., 8th Floor, Toronto, ON M4Y 2Y5. Fax: 416-764-2801
Baby & Toddler	Back to top
Introduction
Today's Parent Baby & Toddler is a consumer magazine for parents with children up to the age of three. It is distributed as a "special edition" of Today's Parent through doctors' offices and to new subscribers to Today's Parent magazine who have babies. Currently there are two issues of Today's Parent Baby & Toddler a year. The tone of the magazine is positive and supportive, yet realistic. While for most articles it will be important to consult health or child–care professionals, we also want to include the experience and reflections of parents. We do not lecture or dictate to our readers; rather, we pass on to them the suggestions and shared experience we have gathered. We recognize that apart from basic matters of health and safety (e.g. using a car seat), there are a variety of positive ways to handle most parenting situations. Baby & Toddler does, however, have a parenting philosophy. We promote a gentle, nurturing parenting style that respects each child's unique personality, and also understands the normal developmental needs and limitations shared by all babies and toddlers as they grow. We encourage parents to interpret their babies' behaviour in this context (my toddler is having a tantrum because she's frustrated and overwhelmed, not because she's "naughty"), and to stay on their child's side. We are advocates of breastfeeding as the best feeding choice for babies. At the same time, we respect the decision to bottle–feed, understanding that it may be the best choice for individual families. We also recognize that the first three years of parenting can be the most demanding, and the most hands–on, and so we also address the needs of parents. Stories may range from the very practical (starting a playgroup) to the more introspective (coming to terms with your new identity as a parent).
Queries
Please do not telephone, e–mail or fax queries. Send a detailed query letter rather than completed manuscripts and, if it's your first contact with us, include samples of previously published work. Send your query to: The Editor, Today's Parent Baby & Toddler, One Mount Pleasant Road, 8th Floor, Toronto, Ontario M4Y 2Y5 When submitting a query, please indicate the word length you consider appropriate for the story. Responses will be mailed within six weeks, providing a stamped, self–addressed envelope is enclosed. Today's Parent Baby & Toddler accepts no responsibility for unsolicited material. Please note that we do not publish poetry or fiction. Because we promote ourselves as a Canadian magazine, we favour Canadian writers.
Editorial Lineup
Baby Bulletin (every issue): provides news and tips on health, safety and development, plus crafts, activities and books. This department is written by a regular contributor. Health (every issue): deals with common health issues affecting children –– everything from how to take a temperature to common baby ailments to ear infections. The tone should be helpful, not alarmist. Playtime (every issue): provides ideas for play, activities, crafts, outings and adventures that parents can share with their children. Baby Steps (every issue): deals with common developmental issues. Divided into four parts (0–6 months; 6–12 months; 12–24 months; 24–36 months). This department is written by a regular contributor. Trade Secrets (every issue): A how–to on a particular aspect of baby care. Written by staff.
Features
Today's Parent Baby & Toddler runs features of varying lengths in each issue, with a balance between the practical and the philosophical, covering child care and development, breastfeeding, the parenting experience, consumer information, and resources for families. All articles should be grounded in the reality of Canadian family life. Without claiming to know all the answers, we try to leave the reader with a sense of positive direction. Feature topics range widely and can include such diverse stories as how fathers can support breastfeeding, night waking, making mealtimes happy for toddlers, choosing daycare, sex after childbirth, travelling with your baby, choosing a baby carrier and turning down parenting stress. Word length and fees vary depending on the complexity of the story –– usually 1,000 to 2,500 words, $700 to $2,000.
Style
We are looking for good magazine writing. Stay away from essay format and didactic prose. Use quotations. Unless you have been assigned to write a personal reflection article, restrict any first–person narratives to the occasional use of your own experience as an example or for a lead. The writing style should be lively and accessible. A light–hearted approach, where appropriate, is welcomed. Wherever possible, sources, statistics and anecdotal material should be Canadian. Since we are a national magazine it is important to avoid a local bias. When selecting parents to interview, please keep in mind that Canadian families have many configurations and many cultural backgrounds; we would like this diversity to be reflected in the pages of the magazine. Sidebars with supplementary information or practical tips are encouraged. We also like to include a list of resources for parents at the end of each article, and we encourage writers to recommend relevant books or organizations. We use the Canadian Oxford Dictionary for spelling. Numbers one to ten are spelled out and numerals are used for 11 and up. We would like the magazine to be read by mothers and fathers. Please don't assume an exclusively female audience. Also watch out for sexist language. Good non–sexist writing requires careful sentence construction (avoid using he/she or mixing singular and plural, as in "when a child cries, you should comfort them."). When discussing indivudal children, roughly balance girls and boys.
Notes
If you are assigned an article, your handling editor will contact you by phone to discuss the direction of your assignment and will send you a contract letter specifying deadline and fee. We will reimburse telephone and some other expenses. Expenses other than long distance charges should be approved by the handling editor in advance. Writers must send an invoice with their manuscript; fees will be paid 30 days after acceptance. Include a list of your sources, with telephone numbers, with your MS. Be sure to include the full address of any source who has asked to receive a copy of your article and indicate that you wish copies sent. Please be diligent and double–check names and titles of sources.
Pregnancy	Back to top
Introduction/Queries
Today's Parent Pregnancy & Birth is a consumer publication for expectant parents. It is published three times a year (April, August and December) and is distributed across Canada by members of the medical profession and childbirth educators. The editorial focus is on pregnancy, birth, postpartum care, and parenting the newborn. We believe in empowering our readers to make informed choices. It is our goal to provide readers with current research and to discuss new trends in a responsible and balanced way. We believe that childbirth is an important milestone in family life, and that the experience of birth has lasting effects on the lives of women, babies, fathers and families. We deal with both "baby care" and "parent care," recognizing that the transition to parenthood is a major life change. Because of the many benefits to both mother and baby, we are advocates for breastfeeding while respecting the choice to bottle–feed. While the tone of the magazine is positive, we do also address the "dark side" of birth: postpartum depression, miscarriage, etc. We try to help parents understand these events, and to provide them with practical resources to help them cope. Today's Parent Pregnancy & Birth publishes personal experience stories only in the Birth Story column, rarely publishes humour and never publishes fiction or poetry.
Queries
Please do not telephone, e–mail or fax queries. Send a detailed query letter rather than completed manuscripts and, if it's your first contact with us, enclose samples of previously published work. Send your query to: The Editor, Today's Parent Pregnancy & Birth, One Mount Pleasant Road, 8th Floor, Toronto, Ontario M4Y 2Y5 Responses will be mailed within six weeks providing a stamped self–addressed envelope is enclosed. Today's Parent Group accepts no responsibility for unsolicited material.
Editorial Lineup
About 80 percent of the editorial is written by regular contributors. Editorial lineups are established one year in advance. About 40 percent of each magazine is permanent editorial, a three–part section called "Birthing Basics" (outline attached) which covers basic topics in pregnancy, birthing and the early postpartum. Each section is reprinted annually. Writers are asked to avoid duplicating topics in "Birthing Basics" when querying. NEWS AND VIEWS offers short news items, pre– and postnatal care tips, book reviews, etc. This department is written by a regular contributor. Several features complete each magazine. They are designed to complement the core editorial with more specialized topics, in–depth treatments, current issues, etc. Each issue must have a mix of prenatal, birthing, and postpartum topics, as well as a balance between difficult/medical subjects and lighter articles. Articles usually run from 1000 to 2500 words. If you are commissioned to write an article you will be given a word count. When querying the publication, indicate the length you consider appropriate for the subject.
Style
We are looking for good magazine writing. Stay away from essay format and didactic prose. Use quotations. First–person narratives are not encouraged (unless you have been assigned a personal reflection piece) but interpretive reporting is fine. We use The Oxford Canadian Dictionary. We use the British spelling for "paediatric," "labour," and "Caesarean." However, we are now using "fetus" instead of "foetus." "Breastfeeding" is one word. Numbers one to ten are written and numerals used for 11 and up. We use The Canadian Style: A Guide to Writing and Editing for reference. We would like Pregnancy & Birth to be read by mothers and fathers. An article on breastfeeding would usually be directed at the mother but, for example, sexuality during pregnancy should talk to both parents. Please watch out for sexist language. We don't want to see a MS full of he/she or she/he. Good non–sexist writing requires careful sentence construction. When discussing particular babies, try to roughly balance girls and boys. Sidebars and resource boxes are encouraged. A list of resources for parents should include access information: if you are recommending books give the title, author, publisher, and date of publication. Please check to make sure books are currently in print. If appropriate, give mail–order information including price and shipping/tax. For organizations give a contact name and address, telephone number and e–mail address if there is one. Please indicate if they are willing to take calls from the public. If not we won't print the phone number. Sidebars can provide supplementary information or practical tips. Make the information useful.
Research
Please ensure that you research the subject thoroughly and, where applicable, give attribution. All information must be current and accurate. Research sources and statistics should be Canadian. When quoting accuracy is essential. If the quotation is from an interview, double–check with the source before submitting your MS. Pregnancy & Birth is a national magazine so avoid giving a local bias. When selecting parents to interview, please keep in mind that "the Canadian family" has many configurations and many cultural backgrounds; we would like this fact to be reflected in the pages of Pregnancy & Birth. We do not employ a copy checker, so make sure names, addresses, etc. are correct. Include a list of your sources, with telephone numbers, with your MS.
Article Presentation
We can accept material on disk in most word processing formats. We work in Word for MacIntosh. We use a single space format, with one line between paragraphs, and paragraphs are not indented.
Deadlines
If you are commissioned to write an article for Pregnancy & Birth you will be given an editorial deadline date. This is the date when the editors should receive the MS. Today's Parent Group reserves the right to cancel the assignment or reduce the fee if it arrives after the deadline.
Fees
The fee will be established when you are commissioned to write the article. Articles range from $700 to $1,500 based on both length and the amount of research involved. Fees will be paid 30 days after the MS is accepted. We do not pay kill fees for editorially unacceptable material, nor do we pay extra fees for rewrites. Writers new to Pregnancy & Birth may be asked to write their first article "on spec," especially if they have limited experience writing for consumer magazines. We will reimburse long distance telephone expenses associated with researching an article to a usual limit of $50. Other expenses should be approved in advance by your handling editor.
Contract Letter
Your handling editor will contact you by phone to discuss your first assignment. Please make notes during this telephone conversation – you will be given guidance on the editorial direction and approach. A confirmation contract letter will be sent to you. If you have any concerns regarding the terms and conditions outlined in the contract, contact your editor immediately.
Core Editorial
Your Changing Body • Tips for a Healthy Pregnancy • Pregnancy Discomforts • Your Pregnant Body Image • Labour Step by Step • Caesarean Section • Your Body Postpartum Giving Birth Your Way • Your Birth Plans • Choosing Your Caregiver • Pain Medication Options • Medical Interventions • Planning for Postpartum Support Your Baby, Your Family • Growing a Baby • Becoming a Father • Getting to Know You • Why Breast is Best • Your Changing Sexual Relationship
Birth Story Submission Guidelines
Thank you for your interest in writing for our magazine. The Birth Story column is a place where parents and others who have witnessed the birth of a baby can share their story. The word length is no more than 500 words, and the fee will be paid on acceptance. Please note that we only publish three birth stories a year, and we cannot guarantee that your story will appear in the magazine. As is the case for all of our editorial content, we are looking for good magazine writing. We understand that the birth of your baby is probably one of the most moving experiences of your life. But what is it about the story you are telling that will be moving, compelling or entertaining for other readers of the magazine? Sometimes this is in an unusual or humourous turn of events, but not always. We are not necessarily looking for stories that are outlandish. The most "normal" of births can make compelling reading if it's told well. Also, please bear in mind that our readership is largely comprised of expectant parents who do not need to read birth stories that will frighten or horrify them. Please submit your story in writing to: The Editor, Today's Parent Pregnancy & Birth One Mount Pleasant Road 8th Floor Toronto, Ontario M4Y 2Y5 Please do not fax or email your story.
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