Your dream might be to get an article published, but have you ever considered the alternative and best paying (per word) route to getting yourself by-lined?
You might be surprised - it's the letters page. If you get your letter published as the magazine's top choice there is invariably some form of "prize" associated with it - anything from an £85 watch to a £300 dive computer. Not bad for 250 or so words!
And if the editor really likes what you have to say they may ask you to elaborate further for another part of the magazine.
I've just opened up some random back issues. Subjects include:
How I loved your magazine so much I took it on our diving holiday in Australia (no prizes for guessing - an American magazine)
Why I prefer UK diving and how it grew on me
Where to find statistics on diving incidents
Why divers brag about getting decompressed
They're not difficult subjects to write about, and even if you don't get the "Star" letter, the editor will know your name and you will have demonstrated your aptitude for writing. Also, editors are more likely to look favourably on you as a contributor if you can demonstrate that you are part of their community of readers, someone who knows what issues are of interest to the readers and can write around them.
Keep writing
Brendan
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