If you’ve got a story that blends hunting, fishing, and the spirit of the wild into fine literature, this one’s for you.

Gray’s Sporting Journal pays up to $1,250 per accepted piece — and they’re always looking for bold new voices with a love for the outdoors.

In this guide, I’ll walk you through what they publish, what they pay, and how to submit your work.

Whether you’re a seasoned author or just have a great tale from the field, here’s how to get published in one of the most respected journals in sporting literature.

Let’s get started. 

What is Gray’s Sporting Journal?

Gray’s Sporting Journal is a prestigious outdoor magazine founded in 1975 by Ed and Rebecca Gray.

What began at their kitchen table has grown into a publication celebrated for its commitment to literary excellence, vivid photography, and timeless storytelling.

Now owned by Morris Communications, Gray’s remains a beacon for refined readers who value the traditions, beauty, and deeper meanings of hunting, fishing, and outdoor life.

It’s not just about the sport — it’s about the why.

Unlike other outdoor magazines filled with how-to tips and product plugs, Gray’s offers an elegant, elevated reading experience.

Each issue features:

• Rich fiction and nonfiction stories
• Poetic reflections on outdoor life
• World-class photography and art
• Travel narratives from the field

It’s often described as the gold standard of outdoor literature —
a journal that speaks to the sophisticated sportsman — and sportswoman.

What kind of content do they accept?

Gray’s publishes seven issues per year, including four themed editions:

• Fly Fishing Edition (Mar/Apr)
• Upland Bird Hunting Edition (Aug)
• Big Game Edition (Sep/Oct)
• Expeditions and Guides Annual (Dec)

While they’re always looking for high-quality pieces tied to those themes, you can also submit work on other sporting topics, such as:

• Waterfowl hunting
• Turkey hunting
• Small game
• Feral hogs and other unusual quarry
• Campfire tales and tall yarns
• Sporting adventures in both domestic and foreign locales

Here’s how they break it down:

Poetry

• One poem per issue (except the Expeditions and Guides Annual)
• Preference for poems under 1,000 words

Features & Yarns

• Features: Fact or fiction, 1,500+ words
• Yarns: Shorter tales (750–1,500 words), ideal for humorous or anecdotal storytelling

Expeditions

• Travel-focused stories, 2,500–3,000 words + a sidebar with travel details
• Requires strong photo support (high-quality, unpublished images)

Photographic Essays

• Stunning standalone photo collections
• Angling, hunting, or broader outdoor themes
• Submit 30+ images, thumbnails, captions, and inventory list

Inside-front Covers

• Vertical images with character: wildlife studies, quirky moments, or powerful scenes

What are their writing guidelines?

Gray’s expects polished, well-crafted writing — whether it’s fiction, nonfiction, or poetry.
Submissions should:

• Be complete manuscripts — they do not accept pitches or queries
• Be vivid, original, and engaging
• Aim to entertain and resonate with a highly literate audience
• Include a cover letter that clearly states:
  • Whether it’s fact, fiction, poetry, or expedition
  • Your full contact information

They discourage excessively long pieces unless truly necessary.
Many submissions are rejected simply for being too long — not for lack of quality.

They don’t accept previously published material (in print or online), though occasional book excerpts may be considered.

And they do not publish how-to articles — that’s reserved for their in-house columnists.

Who can write for them?

Gray’s is open to a wide range of contributors.
If you live and breathe the outdoors, you’ve got a shot.

You can write for them if you’re:

• A published author with literary chops and a passion for outdoor themes
• An amateur storyteller with authentic experiences and a strong voice
• A hunter or angler with compelling tales, reflections, or travel experiences
• A professional guide, outfitter, or conservationist with insider insight

They care more about the quality of your writing and the honesty of your experience than about your resume.

How much do they pay?

Gray’s offers competitive rates based on quality, not length:

• Features: $600 to $1,250
• Yarns: Around $600
• Poems: $100
• Photographs: $50 to $300
• Expeditions: $850 to $1,000, plus $75 per published photo
• Inside front cover photo: $250

Photographic essays are paid upon publication and the rate is negotiated with the art director.

Payment terms: Upon publication.
They purchase modified North American serial rights, which means:

• One-time print use in the magazine
• Possible use on the Gray’s website
• Brief quotes or images may appear in promotional content

All other rights stay with the creator.
This means you keep ownership of your work, and Gray’s only holds limited publishing rights.

Why should I write for them?

Gray’s Sporting Journal isn’t just another outlet.
It’s a benchmark of quality in outdoor writing.

For nearly five decades, it has championed storytelling that blends deep experience with literary elegance.

Writers submit to Gray’s because it offers something rare: a deep respect for the written word. It also honors the lifestyle that surrounds it.

Your work isn’t just edited.
It’s showcased beside fine art and thoughtful photography, in a magazine designed to last.

There’s no product pushing or filler content here.
Just timeless stories that reflect the heart of the outdoors.

Being published in Gray’s carries weight.
Not just with readers, but with other writers and editors across the industry.

If you believe your story deserves to be treated with care — and that the outdoors is more than just scenery — then Gray’s might be your best home.

How do I get started?

Gray’s accepts digital submissions only — both editorial and photography.

Here’s how to submit:

Editorial submissions

• Email your full manuscript and cover letter to:
  • Mike Floyd, Editor-in-Chief: mike.floyd@morris.com
  • Subject line: gray’s manuscript

Photography submissions

• Email 30+ preview images or a link to a lightbox to:
  • Wayne Knight, Art Director: wayne.knight@morris.com
  • Subject line: gray’s photography

Tips before you submit:

• Read several back issues to understand their tone and standard
• Proofread your work carefully — they get a lot of submissions
• Allow 10–12 weeks for a response
• Plan ahead: they finalize each issue 6–8 months before publication

Only about 10% of submissions receive a positive reply, and only 1% are published.

But if you land a spot — you’re in great company.

Ready to submit your story?
Head over to their website to get started.

WRITE FOR GRAY'S ➤

Final thoughts

Gray’s Sporting Journal is a literary sanctuary for outdoor enthusiasts.

It’s a rare place where your words can live alongside fine art, soulful photography, and timeless sporting tradition.

Every piece published in Gray’s is a testament to craftsmanship — proof that outdoor writing can be just as moving and meaningful as any other literary form.

If you’ve ever returned from the field with more than just a harvest — a story, a reflection, a moment — Gray’s is a home for that voice.

So whether you’re writing a reflective tale, a poetic tribute to wild places, or a campfire yarn that lingers — take the leap.

Gray’s is the place to share it.

Looking for more sites that pay you to write?

Here’s a curated list of sites that pay writers.

You’ll find magazines, websites, and platforms in all kinds of niches, from poetry, fiction, and greeting cards to travel, lifestyle, parenting, and more.

Each site includes everything you need to know — from the type of content they’re looking for, to how much they pay, to how to submit your work — so you can confidently land your next paid writing gig.

SEE THE FULL LIST ➤