What distinguishes the salmon-colored New York Observer from other city pubs like The New York Times and New York magazine? “A sharp eye for the absurdities inherent in the New York scene, a greater focus on the characters who define the city and a wry sense of humor,” says editor-in-chief Aaron Gell.

Even though most of its content is written in-house, freelancers who fit this bill have a good chance of landing a byline, as there are a handful of contributor stories in every issue.

Got a great idea for these highly sophisticated readers? Get editors’ contact info in How To Pitch: The New York Observer. [Mediabistro AvantGuild subscription required]