50 calls for journalism/writing pitches (September 5, 2022)
Happy Monday! (Do freelancers care what day it is?)
I want to start a little thing today: a collection of the world's obscure magazines and publications. I'm going to start by nominating ....
POTATO PROCESSING INTERNATIONAL!
I nominate this wonderfully crisp magazine because ... wait for it ... I used to be the editor. At least, many years ago, I used to edit its previous incarnation, Potato Business World. But clearly the world needs more than one magazine dedicated to all things spud, so it split into three. Potato Processing ... Potato Agronomy ... and Potato Storage... And it was a hoot. I travelled to potato country in the States (Oregon) and Canada (PEI), drank beer with Mormons ("We didn't say we were good Mormons", they said), learned way more than any sane individual should know about turning a potato into a fry, or a chip, or a waffle, or that strange powdery starchy stuff they turn into Lays and Pringles. And I also learned just how much money gets thrown around an industry based on a single root crop. Just think how many fries McDonald's needs each day all around the world.
So today I want to celebrate the obscure titles many of us may have on our CVs. Send them to me. Give me your anecdotes - the titles you've actually worked on or written for. Leave them in the comments or reply to me.
OK enough waffling. Here are this week’s calls for pitches:
Hey folks! Want to write guides for this year's NBA or FIFA title? Get in touch! Email in bio.
Usual guide rates of $150 for 500-800 words, $200 for anything longer.
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I'm officially taking freelance pitches for the 2022 Superhero Issue at Inverse. I'm looking for ambitious features, profiles, oral histories, and more. Rates range from $500-$1000. If you've got an idea, please send it by Monday, August 8. (Email in bio)
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Writers, send me your pitches for @mic's life/identity sections! I'm looking for both features & timely stories that can be turned around rather quickly. Rates vary depending on experience, but start around $400 for essays & go up from there. I'm at emma.sarran@bustle.com
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FYI, Indigenous & Native writers
I’m working with @romper on a special editorial package & am looking for pitches from US/Canada-based Indigenous writers on birth, parenting and caregiving. Minimum rate is $600 USD. Please share & RT
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Excited to be commissioning stories for @Narratively. I'm assigning and editing a series about TURNING FAILURE ON ITS HEAD, i.e., times when failure in one area turned out to be positive in another, or when failure taught you an important lesson that helped shape you.
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I’m looking for Sierra Magazine pitches! (Check this thread for details.) For best results, please give the whole thing a quick read before sending me questions and/or your vital, surprising, juicy story ideas.
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Motherboard is looking for science journalists! Are you interested in: space, the mysteries of the universe, the climate crisis, physics, ancient mysteries, etc.? Email jordan.pearson@vice.com
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Did you learn a savings, retirement, or investing lesson from your parents/a family member in an unconventional way? I am interested in your essays! Please send me a pitch at shallett [at] insider [dot] com. Pay is $250.
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I'm looking for some new music critics for the Reader. No exp. required, but please have deep musical knowledge, the ability to knock out a great short-form review, and be familiar with our style. Chicago preferred. BIPOC / women / LGBTQIA+ writers to the front. Contact in bio.
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Looking for a #burningman freelancer with unique pitches on cultural phenomenons at the festival and just generally really cool stuff (not looking for diaries/personal essays). Pay $200-400, email me
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