Submission Guidelines

Thank you for your interest in writing for Edible Santa Barbara! We are a quarterly magazine dedicated to celebrating the vibrant, local food and drink culture of Santa Barbara County. Our readers are passionate about seasonal, locally grown food and the people who cultivate, prepare, and serve it. We explore the best of what our region has to offer—restaurants, farmers, producers, events, and more.

We are proud to be locally owned and part of Edible Communities, a national network of community-based food publications that are transforming the way people connect with local food. At Edible Santa Barbara, we believe in telling the stories that matter, shining a spotlight on our food system, and inspiring our community to shop, cook, and eat locally.

Our Mission

At Edible Santa Barbara, we believe that understanding where our food comes from is essential. Our goal is to inspire readers to support the local food system by sharing the stories of the growers, artisans, chefs, and producers who make Santa Barbara County a vibrant food community. We aim to connect people with the rich agricultural heritage and diverse culinary landscape of our region, encouraging a deeper appreciation for sustainable, locally sourced food.

What We’re Looking For

We’re seeking passionate, well-written stories that bring the local food scene to life. Whether it’s a profile of a farmer, a deep dive into a culinary tradition, or a behind-the-scenes look at a local chef, we want content that informs, engages, and inspires. `

Our readers trust Edible Santa Barbara to deliver honest, thoughtful stories, free from advertiser influence. We prioritize editorial integrity, focusing on what makes our food system unique and sustainable. If you share our passion for storytelling and local food, we’d love to hear your ideas.

Department Stories

Our department stories typically range from 600 to 1,000 words and provide focused, engaging content that dives into various aspects of Santa Barbara County’s food scene. These pieces may explore a single local ingredient, profile a chef or food artisan, examine the craft of a locally produced beverage, or highlight a culinary tradition or food-based community organization. We welcome ideas that showcase the rich variety and flavor of our region, while offering readers practical insights and inspiration.

Feature Stories

Feature stories, generally between 900 and 2,000 words, offer an in-depth exploration of Santa Barbara County’s food culture. These articles may profile a local farm, restaurant, or food-related business, or take a deeper look at a specific culinary experience or tradition. From artisanal bread-making to sustainable fishing practices, feature stories allow readers to connect with the people and stories that shape our region’s food landscape. We’re looking for narratives that captivate and inspire, offering fresh perspectives on the local food movement.

Submitting a Pitch

We rely on freelance writers for the majority of our content, and we’re always looking for fresh, original voices to share the stories of Santa Barbara County’s food scene. If you have an idea for a story that would be a great fit for Edible Santa Barbara, we invite you to submit a proposal.

Your pitch should include:

  • A brief outline of the story idea, its focus, and estimated word count.
  • Details about potential interview subjects or sources.
  • A sample introductory paragraph or two, showing your writing style.
  • Any relevant experience you have with the subject matter or links to your previous work.

We also encourage you to suggest photo ideas or recommend a photographer. Please indicate if your story has a seasonal focus, as we often plan articles months in advance.

For new writers, it’s important to include writing samples or links to your published work. We prefer pitches to be submitted via email, with the subject line “Pitch” to: info@ediblesantabarbara.com.

Feel free to follow up if you haven’t heard back from us after a reasonable time. We look forward to hearing your ideas and working together to tell the stories of our local food community.

Submission Guidelines

When submitting articles to Edible Santa Barbara, please follow these guidelines to ensure a smooth editorial process:

  • Submit your article as a Microsoft Word document with minimal formatting.
  • Use single spacing between sentences and remove any hyperlinks to external websites.
  • Include your byline, a short bio (30-40 words), and your contact information.
  • Provide the contact details of any individuals we may need to reach for interviews or photography arrangements.

Contributor Agreement

We acquire First North American Serial Rights (FNASR) for all submitted work, along with the right to reproduce the work on our website. Compensation for print articles ranges from $50 to $200, depending on the article’s length and scope.

Editorial Process

Submitting your article is just the beginning. Our editorial team will work with you to refine your piece, ensuring clarity, accuracy, and alignment with our style. We reserve the right to edit for length and readability. We also fact-check all articles and test recipes as needed.

Throughout the process, we value flexibility, patience, and collaboration from our writers. The result is a polished, high-quality story that reflects the vibrant food culture of Santa Barbara County.

With Edible Santa Barbara, you have the chance to share your voice with a community that truly values local food and the people behind it. Let’s tell the stories that bring Santa Barbara’s food culture to life!