Freelancers pitching for work in the US can benefit from an online magazine database that now includes contact information, writing guidelines and reader demographics for more than 2,000 publications across the US and Canada.

The database was first established in 2000 by California-based Wooden Horse Publishing. Founder Meg Weaver, a writer and former marketer for the technology industry, recognised a need for reliable, marketing information for writers and freelancers in the magazine industry.

Access to the database is not free - users can opt to pay $1.99 for 24-hour access or an annual subscription of $149. Information is only available through the website as it can be instantly updated.

Although published online, the database includes only print publications - webzines and news sites are more efficiently searched for by using existing search engines.

"We rather take a boutique-approach to gathering data, using people and their brains and experience. I look at it as using the best of people and technology."

The site also offers a free weekly newsletter, reports and advice on freelancing and the magazine industry and an interactive course on breaking into magazine publishing.

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See also:
Wooden Horse Publishing: http://www.woodenhorsepub.com