The Awesome Publications for which I (Currently) Write
I outline the magazines where you can catch my writing and give kudos for the good work of said publications
Ahoy,
I was having a catch up brew with a sailor pal the other night at The Sloop over a slooper-sized Bits and Bobs (aw yeah) and he asked me an all too-familiar question: “Where can I read your stuff, man?”
The question is one I hear regularly. I write for a shifting network of mostly boat/maritime publications. It’s an eclectic crew, but I’m a real fan of all these magazines from the Pacific Northwest indies to the national/international Active Interest Media (AIM) owned big boys. Now is as good a time as any to throw out some kudos to these editorial desks.
Sail and motor, yachts and commercial, I love ‘em all—and the people, nature, and cultures we get to taste when we hop aboard with curiosity and open eyes. Writing for a living is cool enough, but to write for magazines that you actually like!? Insert cherry-on-top ice cream sundae metaphor.
The publications below are some of my primary current semi-regulars. Check them out, not only to read whatever I write, but also to support quality media.
Power & Motoryacht - Robust Meaty Stew of the Motoryacht World
Power & Motoryacht is a beefy AIM-owned publication (150+ pages in the latest issue pictured here!) that takes a refreshingly interdisciplinary look at the power yachting world. You’ll find a bit of everything in here beyond simply the new boat scene, from sustainable fuels to rugged adventures. My 10-page feature about cruising Alaska last summer aboard Sea Star of North Pacific Expeditions appeared in the current February issue. More on that piece in a future Norris Note when it is available digitally to share.
Passagemaker - A Technical Resource for American Yacht Owners
Passagemaker is another AIM-owned boating publication that’s pivoted in the last few years to be a technical resource for American boaters seeking to, you guessed it, make passage. If you want to learn new anchoring tricks or DIY engine maintenance, this one’s for you. They’ve also launched a slew of online resources as well for knowledge-seeking skippers. I’ve written about topics like a cool Canadian working boat turned yacht and what makes a waterfront awesome for them in the past and have sea trial-related pieces assigned for the spring.
Soundings Trade Only Today - The Boating Business Water-cooler Chat
Soundings Trade Only Today is another AIM magazine, but this one’s all about the business of boating. Policy wonks, yacht builders, and economists rejoice! I love the large dinosaur print format, 11” by 13.5” I think. If you want to get into the nitty gritty of the boating industry or are in the biz, this one is a must read. I’ve written about all kinds of topics here, from how mid-sized marine suppliers are handling supply chain issues to Washington state’s rebuilding of the professional education maritime pipeline for youth.
Pacific Yachting - Canadians Should be Proud of their Awesome BC-Based Boat Rag
I think Pacific Yachting (owned by OP Media Group) is a gem. The quality writing and photography, the love of its beautiful home region of the British Columbia coast, and deep cultural roots (the publication is over 50 years old) come through with every issue. One really gets a sense of the BC/Cascadia coast and sea salty culture at a glance. There will be a few articles of mine within highlighting coastal Alaskan towns coming out this year, so stay tuned.
Pacific Maritime - The West Coast Commercial Mariner Beat
Pacific Maritime under the new editor Mark Nero is a re-energized underdog of sorts. Recently acquired by Maritime Publishing (along with Fishermen’s News) after facing rocky times during the Pandemic Era, it’s small but mighty with great meaty journalism on its unique—but also important and wildly underreported—beat. I’m happy to tribute my commercial roots by writing for these folks, keep an eye out for my Vessel Profiles this year.
Fishermen’s News - West Coast’s Commercial Fishing Advocate
Like Pacific Maritime, Fishermen’s News is small but mighty. Diligently covering the largely neglected commercial fishing news beat, the magazine is where bone fide commercial fisher folk often first hear about red king crab quota changes or the death of an influential colleague. My first Vessel Profiles will appear within this spring, so stay tuned.
Explore:NW - Kenmore Air’s Inflight Magazine, Tasty Traveller Treat
Most people who live in or have visited the Seattle area know of the bright yellow float planes of Kenmore Air, often sighted landing and taking off on South Lake Union. The regional float plane company has a great little in-flight magazine, Explore:NW, that is a perfect little compliment to a flight over Puget Sound. I wrote a piece about DIY shellfish harvesting last year, and hopefully more Pacific Northwest activity-based articles are in store.
COMING SOON - Multihull Sailor - The Cool Kids Table?! Me?!
Multihull Sailor and SAIL are national magazines (AIM-owned) that share the same ace editorial team. Multihull Sailor is probably the world’s premiere multihull sailboat publication, a small but rapidly growing sector of the boating world. There’s something undeniably “cool kids table” about these publications and it’s fun to be here. I have my first article for them cookin’ and don’t want to spoil anything, but get ready this spring.
COMING SOON - Soundings - Boating Magazine with Heart
I’ve always really liked Soundings (AIM-owned). At first glance, you may see just another handsome national boating publication. But the topics are often more human than most boating publications, leaning into topics like maritime art or literature. I’m a sucker for going above and beyond the normal lineup of boat reviews and gear pushing, and Soundings does that regularly. I’m stoked to be working on my first Soundings assignment right now, so stay tuned this spring.
So there we go, the basic rundown of where my magazine writing appears these days and in the months ahead. Who knows what’ll come next? Stay subscribed and spread the word about Norris Note to those who may be interested. I’ll be posting these articles as they are available in future newsletters.
If one of these publications strikes your fancy, consider subscribing. Now is the time to support quality media. Despite the various spins to the contrary, there are a lot of great media out there that could use reader dollars.
Warm regards,
Norris
PS Awesome Salmon in the Seine book news in the weeks ahead! It’ll be showtime soon…