Submissions
We’re always keen to work with fresh talent here are GKM, so no matter what experience you have we’d be happy to hear from you about contributing. We seek out stories that inspire and look at the world from a different perspective, and writers who take pen to paper with an observant, sharp eye.
Please have a read through other articles on the website and our about page before contacting us. From this you’ll learn more about our ethos, and that we focus on just one region of the world at a time. Therefore, we are currently only accepting pitches about the UK and Ireland.
We’re also only accepting articles for the four topics outlined below. If your idea does not fit into one of these categories, please consider taking the story elsewhere. Further information about layout, photos, and how to submit stories can be found in the PDF guidelines detailed in each section below.
We cannot promise to reply to every submission enquiry we receive, but we’ll do our best. If you haven’t heard from us in a couple of weeks, give us a wee nudge via a follow-up email. Please note that, as we are a small, independent team, we currently do not pay for submissions. However, if you dazzle us (and follow guidelines to a tee) there is huge potential for paid GKM work in the near future as we’re looking to expand.
Long-form travel narratives
Have you been on an incredible adventure in the UK or Ireland? Could you write 1,500+ words about the experience? Long-form, narrative writing is at the heart of what we do; we love to give our readers a lengthy story that they can enjoy in bed with a cup of tea.
These travel narratives offer a lot of scope in terms of subject matter – covering anything from a long-distance hike you completed to a foodie journey you took through a city. All we ask is that it’s engaging and full of life.
Find the full travel narrative guidelines here.
Examples: Walking the Causeway Coast Way in Northern Ireland | Kayaking in October in Scotland
Alternative city guides
As there are so many city guides out there, we like to offer something different. GKM’s alternative city guides are usually upwards of 1,500 words and contain new and exciting things to see and do as opposed to the standard big hitters. They should appeal to travellers who are looking for something more from their trips; unusual sights and what the locals do.
Find the full alternative city guide guidelines here.
Examples: Alternative Glasgow guide | Alternative Dublin guide
Weekend itineraries
Catering for people who love travel but work full time is one of our priorities at GKM, so weekend itineraries are perfect for what we do here. These cover one area at a time – a county or national park, for example – and lead a reader through two days in that region.
Unlike the city guides, the activities in these don’t have to be exclusively offbeat – if there are some unmissable, outstanding classics in that region feel free to include them alongside some more unusual things too. The itineraries should include equal parts colourful description to offer a sense of place, and thorough, exact, and practical information.
Find the full weekend itinerary guidelines here.
Examples: A Weekend in Inishowen | A Weekend in the Brecon Beacons
Photography essays
If you’re handy with a camera and have a collection of photos from either the UK or Ireland, we’d love to hear from you. We’re looking for modern, minimalistic photography (no over-saturation, please!) to showcase in essays on the website. The photos will need to be accompanied by 500 words of polished storytelling to convey to the reader what they’re looking at and your experience of taking the pictures.
If that sounds like you, please email emma[@]gottakeepmovin[dot]com with the following:
- A 200-word synopsis of the essay and the photo collection
- A Flickr, Dropbox, or similar link to the photos you’re proposing. (Please do not attach them to the email!)
- Any links to previously published works or your own website.
We look forward to hearing from you!