Thank you for your interest in contributing to Family Holiday & Leisure, which is published six times a year by the Leisure Publishing Group. FHL is directed at parents throughout South Africa and abroad, who are looking to travel with their kids or who are seeking some family entertainment during time off or on weekends.  The magazine has a commitment to create confidence in travelling with children, by providing useful and practical information on planning a trip from room rates and family facilities to kids’ activities.  FHL, through its editorial content, must be a vessel to inform parents about a large range of researched child friendly accommodation styles which all boast good, safe facilities and shows our readers how to plan their break, what to take and how to cope with the kids on the way.  Our mission is to bring together parents and kids; local and international; cheap and expensive, all in one product!

The Types of Stories that Family Holiday & Leisure publishes

Each issue of the magazine contains six or more features, mainly focusing on South Africa, with at least one feature per issue concentrating on another African destination and one feature describing an international destination. Generally, we are interested in places that cater for children and especially holiday resorts with programmes for kids.  The types of destinations we cover vary widely, from budget to five-star.  FHL features are usually narrow in scope; we do not cover whole provinces or countries. Additional subjects of particular interest to us are child friendly accommodation, child friendly restaurants, family holiday packages, holiday activities and attractions, child safety while travelling, family entertainment (fun things to see and do), road trips, travel tips & info, travel products and kids clubs.  We are also looking specifically for articles on weekend activities and short trips, which families can enjoy close to home.

Service information is generally given separately at the end of each feature in a section that includes how to get to the destination, things to see and do there, and where to obtain more information. The writer is expected to send along as much service information as possible with the manuscript to help us prepare this section.

What Kinds of Proposals Is FHL Looking For?

We accept freelance queries for most of our departments. Ideas for features are generated both by the FHL staff and by freelance contributors. We do not accept proposals about trips that are subsidized in any way.

How Long Are FHL Feature Stories?

Most FHL features range from 1,500 to 2,500 words, depending on the subject. FHL departments generally run from 750 to 1,500 words. Compensation varies depending on the type of feature or department but is competitive with other national magazines. Payment is made upon publication of the edition in which the article appears. We buy all rights to manuscripts, although copyright is returned to the author 90 days after publication.

What Does FHL Look For in Writing Style?

There are no limitations on style, as long as the writing is lively and interesting, although a sense of discovery should be at the heart of every FHL story. Our articles attempt to speak to the hearts of parents travelling with their kids. Every family, no matter how seasoned they are as travellers, wonder what waits at a new destination and with that excitement there is often worry about the kids.  FHL seeks to eliminate this worry and create the confidence they need to explore the unknown of a new destination with their children and experience the feel of a place, its essential differentness, its look and its flavour and the overall excitement of the trip, as a family.

For any editorial enquiries please email us.