writing

Breaking into the literary dream that is New York magazine means you’ve got to offer something new, an interesting angle or exclusive access into a little-known subcultural scene in the city (or anywhere else in the world).

“A freelance pitch that provides unusual insight and access into a slightly more hidden world or scene has a better chance of becoming a story here,” said editorial director Jared Hohlt in How To Pitch: New York [sub req'd]. “Features that trend to get approved are narrative-focused and designed to engage the reader in good old fashioned storytelling.”

David Haskell, the magazine’s feature editor, agrees — but he needs more than just a good anecdote.

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Create a social media strategy, launch your campaign, and track the results in our Social Media Marketing Boot Camp starting February 16. The online event and workshop will feature speakers including Morin Oluwole (Facebook), Michael Brito (Edelman Digital), and Tim Devane (bitly). Register now.

You poured your heart out in a personal essay. Now what?

Find a home for your first-person material with help from our latest guide. We’ve updated our list of the top markets for personal essays in Personal Essay Markets, Part I [sub req'd].

Scroll through details on word count, submission etiquette and insider tips from editors themselves from 15 different pubs like AARP and Elle.

We’ve got more outlets coming in Part II and III, along with an updated guide to digital outlets in Part IV. In the meantime, hone those drafts with these personal essay workshops with published essayists, authors and the articles director at Self.

Portland Monthly, Portland’s first word on city culture, is “smart, authoritative and entertaining,” managing editor Rachel Ritchie said. And that’s exactly what they are seeking in their freelancers, too.

Relevant, timely ideas that are well-researched and concisely packaged in a short and sweet email that highlights your writing skill will lead to bylines for in-depth news stories, provocative essays and essential guides to the best of Portland.

Trend pieces and local profiles are a best for newbie freelancers to break into this city pub. To find out which sections editors are especially open to pitches for read mediabistro.com’s How To Pitch: Portland Monthly. [sub req'd]

For executive editor of SI.com B. J. Schecter, Sports Illustrated and its online vertical are like twins in more ways than one. ”While SI.com has the same DNA as the magazine, the content is almost entirely original,” he said.

So for those hungry for a SI byline, try pitching  SI.com.

The website is driven by hard news, as it is primarily a 24/7 daily news site focused on breaking stories. But for Schecter, a perfect pitch doesn’t need hardcore in-depth analysis or stats. All he really wants is heart.

Human interest stories, such as a player who helps a cancer patient or a trainer who rebounds from adversity, will always do well at SI.com. ”Whether that player is well-known or not, for us it’s about telling good stories and human interest and playing to a national audience,” he said. “No matter what you pitch, those should be things you take into consideration.”

Read mediabistro.com’s How To Pitch: SI.com for contact info for Schecter and more details on the types of stories his team wants. [sub req'd]

If you’ve ever spent time as an editor, you likely have plenty of ways for freelance writers to get on your bad side. But before you start adding to the comments, let’s be fair. There are plenty of things magazine and newspaper staffers do to damage the writer-editor relationship, as well.

Case in point? Not responding to emails.

“We know that editors are incredibly busy, but take the time to let freelancers know that you got their stuff,” suggests Apryl Motley, a Maryland-based communications consultant. “When we don’t hear from you, we figure it’s a done deal, and we’re on to the next assignment. Then, you email us all out of the blue with queries and requests for additional copy.”

Not a good look. Get more tips on how to correctly manage the relationship in mediabistro.com’s 4 Things Editors Do To Drive Freelancers Nuts.