Have a Story We Should Know?
Maybe it’s an athlete doing something remarkable. A coach making a lasting impact. A team building something special. A local organization changing lives. Or a personal journey that deserves more attention.
You don’t need to write the story for us, and you don’t need to know exactly where it belongs in the magazine. Just tell us who we should know, what makes the story meaningful, and why you think it matters.
We’re looking for real people, genuine experiences, and stories that reflect the strength, character, and communities behind sports, fitness, and active life across Illinois.
Know a story worth telling? Send it our way.
Story Submission
You don't need to know exactly what kind of article it should become.
Tell us who you are, what is happening, and why you think it matters.
We'll take it from there.
Frequently Asked Questions
For Experts
I am an expert in my field. How can I contribute?
We regularly look for knowledgeable professionals who can help our readers better understand training, performance, nutrition, recovery, health, wellness, sports medicine, coaching, and related topics.
Experts may contribute through interviews, quotes, Q&As, educational articles, practical advice, or recurring editorial features.
Tell us about your area of expertise, professional background, and the topics you would be comfortable discussing.
Do I need previous media experience?
No.
What matters most is credible expertise and the ability to provide useful, understandable information for our readers.
Our editorial team can help shape interviews and contributed material into a format that fits the magazine.
Can I promote my business or services in an expert article?
Editorial contributions are intended to inform and serve the reader rather than function as advertisements.
Your professional credentials and organization may be identified when relevant, but promotional language, sales pitches, and overt product or service promotion may be removed during editing.
Businesses interested in promotional opportunities should contact our advertising team.
What makes a strong expert contribution?
The strongest expert contributions are practical, specific, and useful.
Rather than simply telling readers that something is important, help them understand why it matters, what they should look for, and what they can do with that information.
If You Want to Be Featured
Can I nominate myself for a feature?
Absolutely.
You do not need someone else to nominate you.
If you believe your experience, journey, work, accomplishment, program, or perspective would make a meaningful ILFSMAG story, tell us about it.
What should I include when submitting myself?
Give us enough information to understand both what you have accomplished and why your story matters.
Helpful information may include:
Your name and location
Sport, profession, or area of involvement
Your background
Important accomplishments
Challenges or turning points
Community involvement
What makes your story different
Relevant websites or social media
Photos, if available
The best way to contact you
The most interesting stories are often about the journey behind the accomplishment, not simply the accomplishment itself.
Do I need to be an elite athlete to be featured?
No.
ILFSMAG is interested in compelling people and meaningful stories at many levels of sport and fitness.
That may include competitive athletes, recreational athletes, coaches, trainers, volunteers, officials, parents, organizers, mentors, adaptive athletes, comeback stories, and people making an impact away from the spotlight.
Can parents nominate their children?
Yes.
Parents and guardians are welcome to submit story ideas involving young athletes.
If a minor is selected for publication, appropriate parent or guardian permission will be required before the feature moves forward.
For Writers
Does ILFSMAG accept freelance article submissions?
Yes.
We welcome inquiries from freelance writers interested in contributing feature stories and other editorial content.
Writers should submit a pitch rather than sending a completed article unless specifically requested by the editorial team.
What should a writer's pitch include?
A strong pitch should explain:
The proposed story
Why it matters now
Why it fits ILFSMAG
Who the primary subject or sources would be
The Illinois connection
The approximate scope of the story
Why you are well suited to write it
Links to relevant writing samples are also helpful.
Can I submit an article that has already been written?
You may tell us about an existing article, but please disclose whether it has been published, submitted elsewhere, or is currently under consideration by another publication.
ILFSMAG generally prefers original editorial content developed specifically for our readers.
Can writers pitch people they want to profile?
Yes.
We encourage writers to bring us strong feature ideas.
However, please do not promise a subject that they will be featured in ILFSMAG before the pitch has been approved by our editorial team.
Are contributors paid?
Compensation, when applicable, is determined by the assignment, scope, contributor relationship, and editorial needs. Typically, the answer is yes.
Payment terms are established with the editorial team before work begins.
For Teams, Clubs, Schools & Community Organizations
Can our team or organization submit a story idea?
Yes.
We actively encourage teams, clubs, schools, gyms, leagues, nonprofits, and community organizations to tell us what is happening in their communities.
You may submit your own organization or nominate another.
What types of organization stories are you looking for?
We are especially interested in stories that go beyond simply announcing a season, event, or accomplishment.
Tell us about:
A unique program
An inspiring athlete or coach
A major challenge
Community impact
Growth or transformation
Volunteer efforts
Mentorship
Inclusivity or accessibility
A meaningful tradition
A comeback
An unusual team culture
A program filling an important community need
Give us the story behind the organization.
Can we submit scores, standings, or routine game results?
ILFSMAG is primarily a story-driven publication rather than a daily sports-results outlet.
Routine scores and game recaps are generally not our focus, but the people, moments, traditions, and stories behind those results may be.
Can we submit upcoming events?
Yes.
Send us the event details along with an explanation of why the event may be relevant to ILFSMAG readers.
Editorial coverage is not guaranteed, so organizations should contact the advertising team separately if they need guaranteed promotional exposure.
Can several people from our organization be featured together?
Yes.
Some stories are stronger when told through an entire team, coaching staff, family, program, or organization rather than through a single individual.
We will determine the best storytelling approach based on the idea.
For Photographers
Can photographers contribute to ILFSMAG?
Yes.
We are interested in photographers who can capture authentic sports, fitness, portrait, lifestyle, community, and documentary-style imagery.
Our visual approach favors storytelling over generic stock-style imagery.
What should I submit?
Send a link to your portfolio and, if possible, identify the types of assignments you are most interested in.
Relevant specialties may include:
- Sports photography
- Editorial portraiture
- Fitness photography
- Documentary photography
- Events
- Community storytelling
- Environmental portraits
Can I submit photos from an event I already photographed?
Yes.
If you have images connected to a potentially relevant story, event, athlete, team, or organization, you may submit them for consideration.
Please include information about the event, subjects shown, when and where the photos were taken, and your ownership or usage rights.
Do photographers need model releases?
Release requirements depend on the assignment and circumstances.
When releases are necessary, ILFSMAG may provide the appropriate documentation or coordinate requirements before publication.