How To Pitch: Ms.

This historic publication is looking for pitches that focus on feminism and equality

Dana Robinson is a freelance health, beauty, and culture writer with 20 years of experience creating content for publications including Shape, WeightWatchers, Wine Enthusiast, AARP, and Southwest: The Magazine. She holds a master's degree in mass communication from California State University-Northridge.

4 min read • Originally published December 14, 2018 / Updated April 13, 2021

By Dana Robinson

Dana Robinson is a freelance health, beauty, and culture writer with 20 years of experience creating content for publications including Shape, WeightWatchers, Wine Enthusiast, AARP, and Southwest: The Magazine. She holds a master's degree in mass communication from California State University-Northridge.

4 min read • Originally published December 14, 2018 / Updated April 13, 2021

Circulation: 65,000
Frequency: Quarterly

Background: Ms. magazine launched in the early 1970s and became a booming voice of the Women’s Movement—shining a light on women’s issues that went beyond fashion and beauty and into the world of civil rights, politics and equality. And although nearly 50 years have passed since its inception its mission remains the same. “We define ourselves as the essential information partner to the contemporary feminist movement,” says Katherine Spillar, executive editor. The publication’s pages are filled with in-depth investigative reporting, feminist analysis, opinion pieces about current events, and a general focus on solutions journalism.

Ms. is targeted toward a feminist audience and its readership is about 15% male. But what sets it apart from other publications that cover women’s issues is its appeal to a wide age range. “We get letters-to-the-editor from 9-year-olds, all the way up to women in their 90s who tell us that they have every single issue of the magazine ever published,” says Spillar. “[Feminists of any age] will find something of interest in the magazine.”

What to pitch: Ms. editors mostly generate ideas internally and farm assignments out to trusted freelance writers, but they are open to accepting cold pitches from new writers. They’re mostly looking for freelancers who understand the publication’s mission, and the best places to send a pitch are to the following sections:

National and Global News: Ms. has a worldwide reach, therefore editors are looking for reported news stories that go beyond the 50 states. Freelancers should pitch news items that relate to the status of women and girls across the globe and showcases the work that’s being done around a particular feminist issue. “We don’t just report what’s happening, we want to [know] what’s being done about it,” says Spillar. Word count: 500-1000.

Features: Reported pieces that are filtered through a feminist lens are more likely to get an editor’s attention. Pitches should showcase the work that’s being done to solve problems and to advance the causes of equality and social justice. Word count: 1000-3000.

Ms. magazine has a number of departments: Health, Money, Women’s Studies, and Media. Health articles should focus on the politics of women’s health (e.g. underfunded research into diseases that impact women; how the medical establishment ignores women’s health issues). Money articles investigate how the economy and the federal budget impacts women. Women’s Studies looks at research that’s being produced in various areas of academic women’s studies programs. Media Analysis critiques how the media and entertainment industry handle women’s issues. Word count: 500-1000.

What not to pitch: The “Keeping Score” FOB section is handled in house.

Online opportunities: Since Ms. only publishes quarterly, writers have a much better chance of getting their story ideas posted on the publication’s website. Editors are looking for stories that correlate with national and global news reporting. Freelancers can pitch reported pieces as well as opinion, analysis, and first-person stories. Word count: 500-700. Ms. does not pay for online content.

What publicists should pitch and when: Publicists representing experts who can provide comment on a hot button women’s issue should feel free to reach out to Ms. editors. Lead time is 24 hrs.-3 months.

Percentage of freelance-written content: Print: 90%; Online: 80%
Percentage of freelance pitches accepted: Print: 25%; Online: 50%

Recent freelance stories pitched and published: #MeTooMcDonalds: Fast-Food Workers Just Made History with a Nationwide Strike Against Sexual Harassment was pitched by a freelancer. The writer quoted actual fast-food workers who took to the streets, and his on-the-ground reporting allowed Ms. to shine a light on the movement, says digital editor, Carmen Rios. A Brazil-based freelancer also penned Ele Não: Women Stand United Against the “Brazilian Trump”. She has been following Jair Bolsonaro, a Trump-like Brazilian military leader, and provided unique, first-hand reporting on this critical situation for women, says Rios.

Etiquette: Pitches should be about 2-3 paragraphs and should mention two crucial factors: why you are uniquely qualified to write this piece, and why the piece is right for Ms.

Lead time: 24 hrs.-3 months
Pay rate: .50-$2/word.

Payment schedule: 30 days after publication

Kill fee: 50%
Rights purchased: All rights, but may vary

Contact info:
Ms.
433 S. Beverly Dr.
Beverly Hills, CA 90212
MsMagazine.com
Twitter handle: @MsMagazine | Facebook
Email: FirstInitialLastName@MsMagazine.com

Direct all pitches to:
Managing Editor Michel Circero: MCICERO at MSMAGAZINE dot COM

Executive Editor Katherine Spillar: KSPILLAR at MSMAGAZINE dot COM

Associate Editor Roxy Szal: RSZAL at MSMAGAZINE dot COM

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How to Pitch

Pitch mental floss

This mag for the knowledge junkie seeks writers skilled in artful storytelling

By Andrea Williams

@AndreaWillWrite

Andrea Williams is an author, journalist, and columnist for The Tennessean with over 16 years of experience in journalism and 20 years in copywriting and communications strategy. Her work spans national outlets and high-traffic digital brands.

7 min read • Originally published September 12, 2016 / Updated April 13, 2021

By Andrea Williams

@AndreaWillWrite

Andrea Williams is an author, journalist, and columnist for The Tennessean with over 16 years of experience in journalism and 20 years in copywriting and communications strategy. Her work spans national outlets and high-traffic digital brands.

7 min read • Originally published September 12, 2016 / Updated April 13, 2021

Circulation: 150,000
Frequency: Six issues a year
Special issues: the Biggest Questions Issue; the Genius Issue

Background: There’s typically one at every office party or industry networking event: The guy who walks around doling out bits of useless trivia to innocent bystanders, covering topics as wide-ranging as the mating patterns of red-throated parrot finches and the middle names of all attendees at the Constitutional Convention.

And while you may have attributed his genius antics to a genetic predisposition for retaining interesting factoids, there may be a more likely explanation—Mental Floss magazine.

According to editor in chief Jessanne Collins, Mental Floss is the magazine for people who are “interested in learning things they didn’t even know they were interested in learning.”

She adds: “Super broadly, I’d say that we’re for knowledge junkies and, in general, I think of our reader as being the type of person who would spend hours on Wikipedia if they could, just learning all kinds of different things and going down all different kinds of rabbit holes.”

There’s no set formula for coverage, as the magazine’s subject matter is broad and touches on just about everything (including, perhaps, those darn parrot finches). As such, readers looking for a copy of Mental Floss at their local Barnes & Noble may find it shelved with National Geographic, or Wired or somewhere in between, depending on its featured stories that month.

“Some of our readers also read smart, future-looking magazines like Wired or The New Yorker, but no one out there is really doing what we’re doing,” says Collins. “I think it distills down to our mission to inform as well as entertain, to sort of broach the line between having fun and bettering your understanding of something, and to embrace and celebrate curious minds.”

What to pitch: For veteran freelancers, or those who’ve read more than a few of our “How To Pitch” articles, the typical strategy for breaking into a magazine is to start with the front-of-book, where the number of potential assignments runs high and the editorial risk of taking a chance on a new writer is relatively low. Not so with Mental Floss.

The best place for freelancers to snag their first Mental Floss byline is definitely in “Left Brain, Right Brain,” a section that is almost entirely freelancer written, with stories that range from 650 to 1,800 words.

Stories tend to touch on one subject area (economics, literature, history, biology, etc.), but no matter the focus, there is one common thread: artful storytelling.

“I think the crux of what we do is telling a really crazy, interesting narrative story,” Collins explains. “There are usually interesting characters and dramatic tension—things that make for a compelling story. And then there’s a second part to it, which is some kind of academic takeaway. You’re getting a taste of what is going on in that field of research (or science or history) at the same time that you’re being compelled to read on in the story.”

Specifically, editors love origin stories. A piece on the history of Choose Your Own Adventure books—telling the story of the editor who discovered them and how the books became a marketing phenomenon—was published, as was one on the history of the Rubix cube.

Editors also like science stories that report on people doing interesting things out in the field. Finally, “101 Masterpieces” is a pitchable section that counts down 101 great works of art, literature, TV and film throughout history.

“Some of it’s very modern, some of it’s more historical, and that’s a good area for a freelancer to pitch because there’s a pretty clear formula to it,” says Collins. “Again, we’re looking for that really interesting story about how this work of art was created, whether or not it’s very well known, and we’re making a case for how this thing changed culture in some way.”

But whether you’re pitching a “Left Brain, Right Brain” piece or a standalone feature, there’s one thing that’s sure to make your queries sing. “We love to have memorable facts—the kind of thing you can’t wait to tell friends or love to pull out of your back pocket while making small talk,” says Collins. Include a couple of those in your pitch, and you’ll be that much closer to an assignment.

What not to pitch: Sections that are conceived in house and are, thus, very hard to pitch include “Scatterbrain” in the mag’s FOB, as well as any themed well packages. They’re not completely closed to freelancers, though, because once Collins and her staff have agreed on a direction for the stories, they typically turn to freelancers they’ve worked with in the past to execute them.

Online opportunities: “For Mentalfloss.com, our editors will consider pitches on evergreen stories, or stories tied to events or dates at least three weeks away,” says Erin McCarthy, digital executive editor. “We’re mostly looking for ideas around history, science and language, but we also write about pop culture and literature and sports and random things Bill Murray does.”

To pitch, send a sample headline and a one-paragraph summary, and, adds McCarthy, “Please spend a few minutes on Mentalfloss.com to better understand our tone and help bump up our traffic stats.”

What publicists should pitch: The good news for PR pros is that Collins and crew work with publicists a lot—especially in the fields of travel, books and spirits and liquor. The not-so-good news is that, unless you’ve taken the time to get a feel for the magazine and the types of products that generally run, the odds of getting a placement are virtually nonexistent.

“There has to be some sort of smart, weird or quirky hook to any hotel or restaurant pitch, and similar with spirits; it’s not just about making a drink, it’s about learning about the history of the spirit and some of the interesting facts and context,” says Collins.

“For books, there’s kind of a quirky, off-beat, primarily nonfiction type of aesthetic we’re looking for. It’s really about just being familiar with what we do and the types of things we cover, as well as the angles we cover things from.”

Percentage of freelance content published: 50 percent
Percentage of freelance pitches accepted: About 25 percent, though that percentage doesn’t reflect the number of freelancers who score assignments unrelated to their initial pitch.

Recent freelance stories pitched and published: In keeping with the mag’s love of backstory, freelancers have pitched and published pieces on the history of the ice cream truck and Choose Your Own Adventure books. “Welcome to the Body Farm,” a feature on a unique forensic science lab at the University of Tennessee, also got a green light.

Etiquette: Shorter is better, says Collins, but that doesn’t mean you can get by with a haphazard, flimsy pitch: “I really want to see a sense of what the story is, who the characters are and the journey I’m going to go on reading this story.”

“Like everything, there’s something very obvious about someone who’s done their research and aimed their pitch in a direction that makes sense for us, versus someone who’s just casting seeds to the wind,” adds Collins. “In those cases, I tend to pay more attention. Even if it’s not a pitch that I’m ultimately interested in, it shows me that someone has invested the time and is actually interested in the publication, and could be an asset in some other way for something I am interested in.”

Clips are important, too, but only if they reflect the kind of writing that Mental Floss is known for publishing. Add Collins, “I’m not interested in seeing clips that are ‘5 Things About X’; that’s not really what we do.”

Lead time: Four to five months
Pay rate: $1 a word for print; Web rates vary
Payment schedule: On publication
Kill fee: 20 percent
Rights purchased: All rights

Contact info:
Mental Floss magazine
55 West 39th Street
New York, NY 10018
Mentalfloss.com
Twitter | Facebook
Email format: FirstName@minutemedia.com

Direct pitches to:

Editor in Chief Erin McCarthy: ERIN at MINUTEMEDIA dot COM

Special Projects Editor Jason Serafino: JASON at MINUTEMEDIA dot COM

Science Editor Kat Long: KAT at MINUTEMEDIA dot COM

Senior Editor Kirstin Hunt: KIRSTIN at MINUTEMEDIA dot COM

Managing Editor Jennifer Wood: JENNIFER at MINUTEMEDIA dot COM

EDITOR’S NOTE: Though we’ve updated this article recently, the speed at which things move in media means things may have already changed since then. Please email us if you notice any outdated info.

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How to Pitch

How To Pitch: JSTOR Daily

This digital pub seeks feature writers who can tie current events to its scholarly archives

By Maria Coder

5 min read • Originally published March 16, 2016 / Updated April 13, 2021

By Maria Coder

5 min read • Originally published March 16, 2016 / Updated April 13, 2021

Monthly unique visitors: 50,000
Frequency: Daily

Background: JSTOR Daily launched in October 2014 as a way to showcase JSTOR, a massive digital library of academic journals, books and primary sources available by subscription to public libraries, research institutions, museums and schools.

JSTOR stands for journal storage and is a nonprofit founded in 1995 to help store digital copies of journals that just didn’t fit on bookshelves. Today JSTOR provides full-text searches of more than five million journal articles.

JSTOR’s online publication, JSTOR Daily, was created as a platform for thought-provoking stories that contextualize the world and provide insight by tapping into the content available via JSTOR. In fact, every article links to supporting material on JSTOR.

“We are looking at current news stories and giving you the scholarly backstory,” says editor Catherine Halley, who relies almost entirely on freelance contributors. “We’re writing stories that link to and provide context for the scholarship that’s housed on JSTOR. It’s as if we were going to the shelves of a library and saying [to researchers], ‘Look at this book,’ ‘Look at this article,’ but we’re doing that in a digital way.”

Halley says JSTOR Daily appeals to a curious audience. She considers The Conversation US, Smithsonian’s SmartNews blog, and the Los Angeles Review of Books among its top competitors.

“Our readers want to read stories that make them a little bit smarter,” says Halley. And no topic is off limits. Take Fifty Shades of Grey, for instance. The movie, adapted from E.L. James’ book, set a record as the highest-grossing Presidents Day opener in history. JSTOR Daily ran a story that compared the titillating series to a book by Elinor Glyn called It.

While tame today, It was racy and highly controversial when it published during the Prohibition era. The article looked at how people thought about and talked about sex, providing the story behind the news story in a historical context.

What to pitch: JSTOR Daily is especially in need of features on technology, history, business and economics for its “Long Reads” section. These stories are published once a week on Wednesdays and run from 1,800 to 2,000 words. Ideally, the feature will have a hook that’s tied to a newsworthy event or an upcoming anniversary.

Halley advises that you think of these as a new way to explore a current topic. “It’s slow news,” she says, adding that features should identify patterns between current events and scholarly work, provide the backstory for new studies, and keep a conversational, approachable tone. The idea is to reference journals, not to sound like them.

One example is a feature on FDA regulations on calorie disclosures at fast-food restaurants. “Can Information Fight Fat?” used statistics from journal studies to discuss the debate on the link between calorie disclosure and its impact on a person’s weight. “It’s not just scientific,” says Halley of the article sources. “Much of the content we’re surfacing is archival. We’re trying to create thought-provoking stories that appeal to a general reader, but draw on scholarly research.”

While features are the biggest need, if you’re interested in writing a column or blog, Halley encourages these queries as well. Columns range from 750 to 1,000 words, and blog posts run from 350 to 500 words.

Columns are typically op-ed pieces written by a freelance academic writer. For instance, “(Un)Catalogued: Finding Your Place By Looking at Maps” was written by a historian who was inspired while conducting research for a book on the Civil War and the American Southwest.

Halley encourages prospective freelancers to create a free Register and Read account on JSTOR and do some preliminary research to spur ideas. For additional details, writers should read the submission guidelines.

What not to pitch: No section is closed to freelancers. However, you should avoid pitching one-dimensional stories on what’s happening now. Use the wealth of content in the JSTOR digital library to your advantage.

What publicists should pitch: Publicists should send information on current trends, particularly if they can be traced to a historical trend or past behavior that could send a writer digging through the database. Pitches related to upcoming milestones and cultural anniversaries are also of interest.

Percentage of freelance content publishe: 90 percent
Percentage of freelance pitches accepted: 10 percent

Recent freelance stories pitched and published: The site ran a “Long Reads” story on the blockbuster film The Birth of a Nation, which discussed its 100-year anniversary with links to both JSTOR content and outside sources. Halley says she liked how the story helped a reader understand a cultural moment in a way that wouldn’t be possible without the academic perspective.

Also, a blog post (So You Want to Move to Mars?) analyzed the one-way trip to Mars that’s being organized by Mars One. “It’s taking this thing everybody is talking about giving it context by looking at the science behind it,” explains Halley.

Etiquette: Email your pitch and include links to clips or attach one or two samples. In your subject line, reference the query type as “feature pitch,” “column pitch” or “blog pitch.” Your final piece must link to content that’s available on JSTOR, so your pitch should reference some initial research from the nonprofit’s archives.

Note that Halley is the only one presently reading pitches, so she urges writers to be patient if she doesn’t respond right away.

Lead time: Two months
Pay rate: Varies from about $50 to $500
Payment schedule: Net 30 days; writers must invoice
Kill fee: Not yet established
Rights purchased: All rights

Contact info:
JSTOR Daily
2 Rector Street, 18th floor
New York, NY 10006
daily.jstor.org
Twitter | Facebook

Direct all pitches to: JSTORDAILY_SUBMISSIONS at JSTOR dot ORG

Editor n Chief Catherine Halley: CATHERINE dot HALLEY at JSTOR dot ORG

EDITOR’S NOTE: Though we’ve updated this article recently, the speed at which things move in media means things may have already changed since then. Please email us if you notice any outdated info.

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How to Pitch

How To Pitch: Jezebel

Celebrate the unfiltered realness of womanhood on this feminist-centric blog

By Janelle Harris Dixon

Janelle Harris Dixon is a narrative journalist, copywriter, and content strategist with more than 20 years of experience covering race, culture, equity, and social justice. Her work has appeared in Essence, Ebony, The Atlantic, Rolling Stone, the Washington Post, Smithsonian, and more than 50 other publications. She holds a B.A. from Lincoln University and an M.A. in African American Studies from Temple University.

5 min read • Originally published April 12, 2016 / Updated April 13, 2021

By Janelle Harris Dixon

Janelle Harris Dixon is a narrative journalist, copywriter, and content strategist with more than 20 years of experience covering race, culture, equity, and social justice. Her work has appeared in Essence, Ebony, The Atlantic, Rolling Stone, the Washington Post, Smithsonian, and more than 50 other publications. She holds a B.A. from Lincoln University and an M.A. in African American Studies from Temple University.

5 min read • Originally published April 12, 2016 / Updated April 13, 2021

Monthly unique visitors: 11.8 million in the US; 15 million globally
Updated: Daily
Special packages: None, but pegs around holidays are always welcome

Background: Jezebel was a pioneer in the pantheon of cool, snarky, flame-throwing opinion blogs and websites sharing the interests of women. When it launched in 2007, its founder, Anna Holmes, was pretty candid about her distaste for the messaging conveyed by traditional women’s magazines and how the site was a reaction to their failure to represent real, unairbrushed womanhood. Much of the content posted on Jezebel was in direct response to the articles print outlets and their online iterations were and weren’t publishing.

The industry has changed in the nine years since Jezebel hit the Web, and a lot of blogs and magazines that weren’t even targeting women have become more inclusive of topics that offer honest experiences this demographic might relate to. Still, Jezebel remains a standout.

“We’re trying to push the envelope in terms of what stories aren’t being told, what stories are out there, what things we’re finding interesting. That’s a huge range from politics to reproductive rights to celebrity,” says senior editor Kate Dries. “But our focus is always humor. We always want to be funny and not take ourselves too seriously. It’s not appropriate for every story, but I’d say it’s the attitude of most of our writers, if not all.”

What to pitch: Most of the pitches to the site are about celebrities, pop culture and music. Also pitchable is their politics subblog The Slot, where their stellar election coverage currently lives.

“The stuff that works really well [for all areas of the site] is stuff that requires a little more work and is more deeply researched, like historical pieces and pieces about parts of the country where we don’t have staffers,” Dries explains.

Covering regional stories, trends and insights is a great opportunity for writers who can make what’s going on locally an interesting read to women nationally. Dries adds, “That’s hugely important to us. Most of us are based in New York. We can’t be in all parts of the country or in all parts of the world.”

Under the direction of editor Emma Carmichael, the blog magnetizes a readership of largely 20- and 30-somethings who either consider themselves feminists or embrace the passions of it, even if they don’t identify with the label. To get an assignment, freelancers interested in contributing need to fluently speak the language of that demographic and do it in the blog’s signature style.

One key thing to note: “Our readership is predominantly young women, but that doesn’t mean that’s the only people we’re targeting,” says Dries. “I think we run stuff for women of all ages and try to be pretty diverse in our content.”

Editors for all parts of the Jezebel franchise want ideas that haven’t occurred to them before to cover celebrity, sex, fashion and personal essays, which are frequently featured on the blog. Wow them with topics and angles that go beyond the ordinary and either haven’t been on the site or haven’t been on the site often.

One story that stands out in Dries’ memory is a piece on how the use of IUDs in teen girls has drastically dropped the teen pregnancy rate in Colorado and other states. “First of all, it was so fascinating and something I’d never thought about before,” she says. “Since then, the legislation in Colorado has tried to quash this program but there was a big story in The New York Times about how successful it is. We ran a follow-up blog post about it.”

What not to pitch: Staff writers handle cultural coverage, so steer clear. Also note: “I think we have a hard time with pitches that aren’t very timely, especially stories we’ve already covered or stories that don’t really have a new take,” says Dries. “When the Miley Cyrus/Robin Thicke/’Blurred Lines’ debacle happened, that was extensively covered by the site in a variety of posts. Months and months later, we were still getting pitches about it. It was like, how much more can you say?” Be careful not to add to the gang of writers already beating a topic into a pulp, particularly because new posts are uploaded so often.

Percentage of freelance content published: 10 percent
Percentage of freelance pitches accepted: 50 percent

What publicists should pitch: Editors heavily rely on their PR contacts for entertainment releases—movies, books, TV and music—and interviews with actors. What works best, says Dries, is paying attention to what editors individually cover and playing to those areas of interest. “They see that I’ve written about ‘The Bachelor’ a lot, so they may want to offer up an interview with a contestant or suggest a show that’s similar. That kind of stuff works well, pegging it to something we’ve done before. Or just actually emailing the appropriate editor with your pitch,” she adds.

Recent freelance story pitched and published: Deputy editor Jia Tolentino put out a call for a science writer and a former San Diego Zoo librarian responded, delivering a strong piece about the sex lives of hyenas because, naturally, inquiring minds always wanted to know. The concept actually turned into a series, which just goes to show how the marriage between creativity and solid writing can forge opportunity.

Etiquette: The ideal pitch is short and inventive.

Lead time: Varies, depending on timeliness
Pay rate: $150 to $250
Payment schedule: 30 days after publication
Kill fee: None
Rights purchased: Varies

Contact info:
Jezebel
210 Elizabeth Street
New York, NY 10012
Twitter | Facebook
Email format: FirstName@jezebel.com

Direct pitches to the appropriate editor:

Editor in Chief Julianne Escobedo Shepherd: JULIANNE at JEZEBEL dot COM

Senior Editor Kelly Faircloth: KELLY at JEZEBEL dot COM

Pitches may also be sent to TIPS at JEZEBEL dot COM and at least one editor will read it.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Though we’ve updated this article recently, the speed at which things move in media means things may have already changed since then. Please email us if you notice any outdated info.

Topics:

How to Pitch

How to Pitch: Inc.

Pitch this mag expert solutions to problems vexing small-business owners

By Shane Kite

5 min read • Originally published October 12, 2015 / Updated April 13, 2021

By Shane Kite

5 min read • Originally published October 12, 2015 / Updated April 13, 2021

Circulation: 770,371
Monthly unique visitors: More than 5 million (March 2015)
Frequency: 10 times a year
Special issues: The “Inc. 500” profiles America’s fastest-growing private companies in September

Background: Like an innovative idea attracting venture funding, Inc. benefits from great timing. The magazine was founded in 1979 by an insatiably curious, MIT-educated engineer, rocket scientist and inventor for Polaroid — and its profile has risen along with the public’s perception of the up-and-comers that turn to its pages for advice. The success of this “bible of small business,” as the New York Post calls it, is tracking the world’s increasing admiration for innovative, DIY spirit. No longer deemed untrustworthy for hawking unproven ideas, entrepreneurs are celebrated as canny problem-solvers and big engines of the economy. So as entrepreneurs have become respected and cool, so has Inc.

The first major business magazine to put Apple co-founder Steve Jobs on its cover in October 1981, Inc. was perfectly poised to report on the inner workings of the personal-computer revolution, which has driven a huge portion of small-business dynamism and the eventual startup explosion.

Discontent fueled its creation too. Founder Bernard A. Goldhirsh saw untapped demand for practical guidance about running a small business after failing to find enough helpful advice to assist him in managing his own company. Readers clamored to the magazine, which was profitable within its first two years. Inc. has since counseled the world’s entrepreneurs with service pieces conveyed in clear, expertly written narratives.

The publication has outpaced most of its rivals in the business niche in growing both readership and newsstand sales since being purchased in 2005 by entrepreneur Joe Mansueto, founder of investment data firm Morningstar.

A redesign, which culminated in the June 2013 issue, made the print magazine look more like Inc.com, with its clickable listicles, infographics and Q&As. The reorganization split the pub into quadrants consisting of a changing rotation of Inc.‘s six pillars of the entrepreneurial experience: “Lead,” “Launch,” “Build,” “Tech,” “Money” and “Innovate.” Each of these sections includes a “Tip Sheet,” an infographic, a feature and usually a column. “Think magazines within [a] magazine,” wrote Neil Jamieson, former president of the Society of Publication Designers, about the revamp.

What to pitch: While much of the magazine is written by freelancers who have formal contracts or longstanding relationships with editors, Inc. is still “very open to working with new writers and expanding our pool,” says James Ledbetter, who joined Inc. as editor in January 2014.

Pitching “Tip Sheet” pieces will give first-timers the best odds for getting into Inc.‘s pages. These articles run 800 to 1,200 words, and offer solutions to problems vexing small businesses or highlight trends important to founders and startups.

If infographics are your strong suit, step right up. “We’re always looking for fresh, new ways to visually present data,” says Ledbetter. “That’s a skill that some are very good at, but a lot of people don’t have.” A great example, which Ledbetter says ran in the May 2015 issue, depicted the impact of appearing on ABC’s Shark Tank, the hit reality TV show in which contestants attempt to get funding for their fledgling endeavors.

Ledbetter says writers new to Inc. will have difficulty landing a byline in the features well unless you’re in the same caliber as seasoned financial journalist Michael Lewis. “I’m always open to terrific ideas,” says Ledbetter. “But the number of outside features in any given issue can be as low as one. So it’s just harder to break in.”

Should you be up to the challenge, make sure you pitch a big-picture idea. “I’ve made an effort to assign feature stories that while relevant to entrepreneurs also tap into issues driving a broader debate,” says Ledbetter. One example is an upcoming story that details the surprising and innovative ways businesses are employing people with autism.

What not to pitch: Columns and “Founders Forum” are typically written by entrepreneurs or veteran small-business authors who are longtime contributors, contributing editors or on staff.

In addition, standalone business profiles face a high likelihood of rejection “unless they’re already part of a broader package or fit within a themed issue we’re producing anyway,” says Ledbetter. But even then, he admits, those tend to go to staffers or contracted freelancers.

Online opportunities: Inc.com does not currently pay freelancers to write individual Web stories. Staff writers, plus a large contributor network post 60 to 65 pieces a day online. Regular writers in the contributor network who commit to publishing at least six times a month can be paid $10 for every 1,000 page views, a system Inc. began in the middle of last year, Ledbetter says.

What publicists should pitch: “We’re open to all sorts of [PR] pitches, but it helps if the story has a strong entrepreneur at its core,” says Ledbetter.

Percentage of freelance content: 50 percent
Percentage of freelance submissions accepted: Less than 10 percent

Recent freelance stories pitched and published: “Fulfillment: A Love Story,” a story that ran as a “Tip Sheet” piece in the May 2015 issue, explains how ecommerce owners can best tap fulfillment companies when shipping boxes out of the basement becomes untenable. Of this pitch, Ledbetter says, “It’s a very practical thing that affects a lot of small business owners and almost no one else, and it comes from a freelancer who has written for us two or three times.” It also answered the pertinent questions: Who provides these services? How do you know when you’re ready for this step? What are the things you should look for? What are the things you should avoid?

“The ‘Shark Tank’ Effect” infographic, a “Launch” item in the May 2015 issue, highlighted 10 companies that got the largest investments on the TV show and analyzed them in terms of dollars invested, and change in revenue, valuation and social media followers before and after the contenders appeared on the program. “Trying to distill what happens to you when you hit Shark Tank is really interesting because it’s unique,” says Ledbetter. It also helped that the pitch represented the very thing Inc. honors: entrepreneurial zeal.

Etiquette: Email pitches; include clips as links or attachments.

Lead time: Three months
Pay rate: Up to $2 a word
Payment schedule: Invoice on publication; payment within 45 days
Kill fee: 20 percent
Rights purchased: All rights

Contact info:
Inc. Magazine
7 World Trade Center
New York, NY 10007-2195
www.inc.com
Twitter handle: @Inc | Facebook
FirstInitialLastName@inc.com

Direct pitches to:

Editor at Large Tom Foster: TFOSTER at INC dot COM

Editor at Large Bill Saporito : BSAPORITO at INC dot COM

Editor at Large Kimberly Weisul: KWEISUL at INC dot COM

Features Editor Diana Ransom: DRANSOM at INC dot COM

Deputy Editor Doug Cantor: DCANTOR at INC dot COM

Assistant Editor Brit Morse: BMORSE at INC dot COM

Assistant Editor Anna Meyer: AMEYER at INC dot COM

NEXT >> How To Pitch: Entrepreneur

[EDITOR’S NOTE: Though we’ve updated this article recently, the speed at which things move in media means things may have already changed since then. Please email us if you notice any outdated info.]

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How to Pitch

How To Pitch: Hunker

By Dana Robinson

Dana Robinson is a freelance health, beauty, and culture writer with 20 years of experience creating content for publications including Shape, WeightWatchers, Wine Enthusiast, AARP, and Southwest: The Magazine. She holds a master's degree in mass communication from California State University-Northridge.

3 min read • Originally published December 4, 2019 / Updated April 13, 2021

By Dana Robinson

Dana Robinson is a freelance health, beauty, and culture writer with 20 years of experience creating content for publications including Shape, WeightWatchers, Wine Enthusiast, AARP, and Southwest: The Magazine. She holds a master's degree in mass communication from California State University-Northridge.

3 min read • Originally published December 4, 2019 / Updated April 13, 2021

Background: Creating a comfortable living space in a new apartment or home can be daunting (especially when there are literally 100+ shades of white wall paint to choose from at the hardware store). Hunker was created to make those interior design decisions a lot easier and perhaps…even enjoyable.

Hunker believes that good design should be a part of everyday life — and that you don’t have to be an expert to make it happen, says Leonora Epstein, senior content director. The site’s target audience are people who have recently bought a first home or are living in an apartment that they’re ready to truly make their own. And Hunker provides design solutions for a variety of budgets. “Our competitors tend to capture an extremely high-end audience or are mass market lifestyle brands,” says Epstein. “We aim to be approachable without sacrificing quality.”

What to pitch: Most freelance pitches fall under the “Design” vertical, which encompasses a variety of topics: information-based pieces, inspirational lists, trend-driven stories, and sometimes more in-depth reporting. The most successful cold pitches tend to:

Provide access to a personality or company that would allow for a unique piece of reporting.
Offer ideas that fall outside of the box: Pitching an offbeat trend, an up-and-coming designer, coverage of a unique event.
Have a distinct point of view: (ex: How Furniture Rental Companies Are Changing Millennial Homes; Why You’re About to See X Trend Everywhere.)

A good percentage of Hunker’s informational and inspirational content is created in-house, but if you can demonstrate your ability to handle this type of content (by including examples or an outline with your pitch), you’ll stand a good chance of scoring an assignment, says Epstein.

What not to pitch: News is generally written either in-house or by a dedicated team of freelancers. However, there is room in the section for expanded features/pieces.

Percentage freelance content: 50%+

Percentage of freelance submissions accepted: Low

Recent freelance stories pitched and published: Freelancers have pitched articles that profile Letitia Fernandez, senior manager of arts and design for the Los Angeles Metro transportation system, and how to incorporate 80s design trends into your home.

Etiquette: Pitches should be included in the body of the email with a relevant bio and links to clips that showcase your experience writing about décor or design. And if you want to provide photos as support, editors would prefer a link rather than an attachment. Epstein also notes that if you’re going to pitch a piece about…say…an emerging type of bathroom material, you need to know where to source workable photography. If it’s something that requires original photography, that’s not out of the question, but it may not fit in with the current demands/goals of the Hunker photography team.

Pay rate: $200+ per piece.

Payment schedule: Payment is issued within a week of the editor’s approval.

Contact info:
Hunker
1655 26^th Street
Santa Monica, CA 90404
Hunker.com
Twitter handle: @hunkerhome

Direct all pitches to:

For cleaning and DIY, director of editorial operations Laurie Grossman: LAURIE at HUNKER dot COM

For news, associate editor Eva Recinos: EVA at HUNKER dot COM

For commerce/shopping, commerce editor Katie Maguire: KATIE at HUNKER dot COM

For features and anything else/outside-the-box pitches, senior content director Leonora Epstein: LEONORA at HUNKER dot COM

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How to Pitch

How To Pitch: How Country News

By Dana Robinson

Dana Robinson is a freelance health, beauty, and culture writer with 20 years of experience creating content for publications including Shape, WeightWatchers, Wine Enthusiast, AARP, and Southwest: The Magazine. She holds a master's degree in mass communication from California State University-Northridge.

3 min read • Originally published March 18, 2020 / Updated April 13, 2021

By Dana Robinson

Dana Robinson is a freelance health, beauty, and culture writer with 20 years of experience creating content for publications including Shape, WeightWatchers, Wine Enthusiast, AARP, and Southwest: The Magazine. She holds a master's degree in mass communication from California State University-Northridge.

3 min read • Originally published March 18, 2020 / Updated April 13, 2021

Background: High Country News is a non-profit publication that dates back to 1970 and is celebrating its 50^th anniversary this year. The outlet strives to tell the ongoing story of the modern American West through coverage of its environment, natural resources, and diverse communities. “Our readers are people engaged deeply in issues of the Western United States,” says Brian Calvert, EIC. “Our journalism is in-depth and insightful, coming from our long experience covering the region.”

What to pitch: The front-of-book “Reportage” section is open to freelancers (700-1,200 words). This section has tackled subjects that range from the relocation of Bureau of Land Management leaders to one family’s ordeal under Trump’s zero tolerance immigration tactics. In-depth features that seek to expand and challenge readers’ understanding of the West are in demand (4,000 words), as well as reviews and essays (300-800 words).

Editors are especially interested in stories and perspectives from underrepresented communities; and topics that are sure to get noticed include stories that focus on the broad frameworks of science and nature; conservation and preservation; food and agriculture; health and well-being; water; environmental justice and racism; climate change and energy; post-colonialism and the legacy of conquest; the rural-urban divide; environmental law, policy and philosophy; public lands and resources (including water, wildlife, rangelands, minerals, timber, recreation and preservation); military and nuclear activity and legacies; and economics.

What not to pitch: The “What Works,” “West Obsessed,” “Facts & Figures,” and “Heard Around the West” sections are handled in-house.

What publicists should pitch — and when [lead time]: Editors do not accept pitches from public relations professionals, advocacy groups or other biased parties.

Percentage of freelance-generated content: 25%

Percentage of freelance submissions accepted: 5%

Recent freelance stories pitched and published: Freelancers have pitched articles that focus on tribal disenrollment, Alaska’s highway of Ferries, and Taneum Bambrick’s book “Vantage.”

Etiquette: Keep pitches to about 200-300 words and send them within the body of the email with links to clips. Explain what the story is, its scope and what’s at stake, and why High Country News is the best place to tell it. All pitches should include the word “query” in the subject line.

If you have not heard back from an editor within seven days of your pitch, consider following up. If you have not heard back within two weeks, consider pitching elsewhere.

Lead time: 2-4 months for shorter articles; 6-8 months for features.

Pay rate: $200-$400 for reviews, criticism and essays; $1/word for “Reportage” and Features.

Payment schedule: Invoice on publication, payment within 30 days.

Kill fee: 25%

Rights purchased: First time North American

Contact info:
High Country News
119 Grande Ave
Paonia, CO 81428
www.hcn.org
@highcountrynews

Direct all pitches to:
Editor in Chief Brian Calvert: BRIANC at HCN dot ORG

For stories from Alaska, the Pacific Northwest or Northern Rockies, associate editor Emily Benson: EMILYB at HCN dot ORG

For stories from California, the Southwest or Southern Rockies, associate editor Paige Blankenbuehler: PAIGEB at HCN dot ORG

For reviews, essays and criticism, associate editor Maya L. Kapoor: MAYAK at HCN dot ORG

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How to Pitch

How To Pitch: Hemispheres

Travel pitches with a timely news peg can earn you a byline in the friendly skies

By Dana Robinson

Dana Robinson is a freelance health, beauty, and culture writer with 20 years of experience creating content for publications including Shape, WeightWatchers, Wine Enthusiast, AARP, and Southwest: The Magazine. She holds a master's degree in mass communication from California State University-Northridge.

3 min read • Originally published February 20, 2018 / Updated April 12, 2021

By Dana Robinson

Dana Robinson is a freelance health, beauty, and culture writer with 20 years of experience creating content for publications including Shape, WeightWatchers, Wine Enthusiast, AARP, and Southwest: The Magazine. She holds a master's degree in mass communication from California State University-Northridge.

3 min read • Originally published February 20, 2018 / Updated April 12, 2021

Circulation: 11 million

Frequency: Monthly

Background: Although our electronic devices offer quite a bit of entertainment options at 35,000 feet, United Airlines travelers have the option of unplugging from their phones and tablets and digging into stories on the pages of Hemispheres magazine. This in-flight publication can be found in United Airlines airport lounges as well as the seat pocket in front of any United Airlines traveler.

The average Hemispheres reader could be anybody, from a child to a CEO to a professional athlete. And that general audience has given way to editorial content that “[tends] to be relatively PG, relatively family friendly,” says Nicholas DeRenzo, executive editor.

Hemispheres tends to take a high-brow approach to its content, says DeRenzo. The publication is filled with articles about books and culture, and is likely to approach travel destinations from a design or culinary-history point of view, he says.

What to pitch: Editors are very open to receiving pitches from new writers. But, the most important thing to remember when pitching is to make sure that your story idea is connected to a destination where United Airlines flies. “A good way to quickly get on my editorial bad side is to pitch a story about a continent that we don’t even fly to,” says DeRenzo. “And it happens surprisingly often.” So, please check that UA flight map before you pitch.

The best place for new freelancers to pitch is the Navigator FOB section. This department is full of splashy imagery with inspiring travel stories. It’s the place to pitches stories about food, hotels, souvenirs, museum openings, etc…Just make sure that all stories have a news peg.
Word count: 150-400.

The Feature well is open to freelance pitches as well. Freelancers who have access to a celebrity who’s willing to sit down for an in-depth chat can pitch the Hemi Q&A section. But for those who don’t have Jay-Z’s cell number on speed dial, you can also take a crack at pitching a reported feature story or a package that’s tied to the sales calendar (check out the Hemispheres media kit here.) And once again, feature pitches must have a news peg.
Word count: 1,500-2,000.

Since Hemispheres doesn’t have any original online content, there is really no need to submit pitches with a multimedia component. And freelancers are welcome to submit photos, but since Hemispheres has a staffed art department, the photos aren’t likely to make it onto the pages of the publication, says DeRenzo.

What not to pitch: The 3 Perfect Days feature is handled in-house. And remember that the publication is family friendly…so no pitches about cannabis tasting menus in fancy Denver restaurants (which DeRenzo receives all the time.)

What publicists should pitch—and when: Editors want to hear about hotel and restaurant news, celebrity projects, travel-specific products, and fashion. Lead time is 3-4 months.

Percentage of freelance-written content: 50%

Percentage of freelance pitches accepted: 10%

Recent freelance stories pitched and published: A freelance writer pitched Island Spirit, which focuses on a Singapore cocktail bar that specialized in obscure liquors. Freelance writers also pitched Subcontinental Suds and The Volcano Queen, which profile an Indian craft beer pioneer and NASA scientist Rosaly Lopes, respectively.

Etiquette: Pitches should be sent in the body of an email with no attachments. Put the specific section that you want to pitch to in the subject line and include a Hed in the pitch. Freelancers should be able to convey the reasons why the pitch is worth caring about, and that they’re familiar with the publication. Also include links to similar clips.

Lead time: 3-4 months.

Pay rate: $1/word

Payment schedule: Invoice on acceptance.

Kill fee: 50%

Rights purchased: 90 days exclusive

Contact info:
Ink Global
Hemispheres magazine
68 Jay St., Ste. 315
Brooklyn, NY 11201
Unitedmags.com
Ink-Live.com
Twitter handle: @hemispheresmag
FirstName.LastName@Ink-global.com

Direct all pitches to:

Executive editor Nicholas DeRenzo: NICHOLAS dot DERENZO at INK-GLOBAL dot COM

Deputy Editor Justin Goldman: JUSTIN dot GOLDMAN at INK-GLOBAL dot COM

Editor in Chief Ellen Carpenter: ELLEN dot CARPENTER at INK-GLOBAL dot COM

Assistant Digital and Social Editor Sydney Otto: SYDNEY dot OTTO at INK-GLOBAL dot COM

Topics:

How to Pitch

Greatist

Health and fitness pitches aimed at “healthy-ish” readers can score you a byline

By Dana Robinson

Dana Robinson is a freelance health, beauty, and culture writer with 20 years of experience creating content for publications including Shape, WeightWatchers, Wine Enthusiast, AARP, and Southwest: The Magazine. She holds a master's degree in mass communication from California State University-Northridge.

3 min read • Originally published December 11, 2018 / Updated April 12, 2021

By Dana Robinson

Dana Robinson is a freelance health, beauty, and culture writer with 20 years of experience creating content for publications including Shape, WeightWatchers, Wine Enthusiast, AARP, and Southwest: The Magazine. She holds a master's degree in mass communication from California State University-Northridge.

3 min read • Originally published December 11, 2018 / Updated April 12, 2021

Monthly Unique Visitors: 10 million

Background: There are lots of people who strive to eat healthier foods and live healthier lives. But there are also plenty of health and fitness outlets that tend to make readers feel badly if they’re unable to swap out a life of red meat and processed foods for a vegan diet in one day. That hole in the market was filled by Greatist in 2011. It launched with the idea of covering health, wellness, lifestyle, and food from a new angle. “No shame, no guilt,” says Ashley Sepanski, branded content editor. “We’re not about restrictions.”

The site offers science- and expert-backed content that’s aimed at a mostly female audience between the ages of 18-35. “We’re also inclusive and realistic about what it takes to ‘be healthy-ish,” says Sepanski. “[We] would never body-shame readers, tell them how to get six-pack abs in six weeks, or make them feel less-than when it comes to their personal health journey.”

What to pitch: The editorial staff assigns stories that are generated in-house to a team of freelancers, but they’re open to interesting pitches from new writers.

Pitches covering Food, Lifestyle, Fitness and Beauty are all open to freelancers.

When conceiving a food-centered pitch writers are encouraged to think about food issues that they struggle with and want to learn more about. Lifestyle pitches can center around relationships as well as stories about small changes that readers can make to achieve a happier, healthier life (this includes first-person essays). Workout roundups as well as stories that put trendy workouts to the test (a.k.a. Does This Workout Really Work?) would fit well into the Fitness section; and Beauty pitches can include first-person stories, how-tos and product roundups. Word count for all of these sections is: 400-700.

What not to pitch: The “Products” and “What’s Good” sections are handled in house.

What publicists should pitch—and when: Pitches about organic beauty products, athletic equipment, and new health foods and beverages are always welcome. Editors also love to see story ideas from food bloggers and influencers. Lead time: 3-4 weeks for most content; 1-week for timely, news-related pitches.

Percentage of freelance-written content: 80%

Percentage of freelance pitches accepted: 30%

Recent freelance stories pitched and published: Freelance writers pitched 4 Reasons You Should Drop the F Bomb During a Workout as well as 7 Birth Control Myths You Should Stop Believing.

Etiquette: Freelancers should send brief pitches (just a few sentences) along with a suggested hed in the body of an email. And be sure to include links to clips or a portfolio. Please do not send whole stories.

Lead time: 2-3 weeks for most content; 1-week for timely, news-related pitches.

Pay rate: $125-$250

Payment schedule: If all financial documents are submitted by the 25^th of the month, writers should receive payment by the third week of the month after their story has been received.

Kill fee: $50

Rights purchased: All rights

Contact info:

Greatist
30 Vandam St, 3rd Flr.
NY, NY 10013
www.greatist.com
Twitter handle: @greatist | Facebook

Direct all pitches to: PITCHES at GREATIST dot COM

Editor in Chief Rita Mauceri: RMAUCERI at HEALTHLINE dot COM

Copy Editor Naomi Farr: NFARR at HEALTHLINE dot COM

Content Editor Ashley Sepanski: ASEPANSKI at HEALTHLINE dot COM

Senior Editor Christal Yuen: CYUEN at HEALTHLINE dot COM

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How to Pitch

How To Pitch: Glamour

This esteemed women's glossy seeks pitches on careers, relationships and health

By Andrea Williams

@AndreaWillWrite

Andrea Williams is an author, journalist, and columnist for The Tennessean with over 16 years of experience in journalism and 20 years in copywriting and communications strategy. Her work spans national outlets and high-traffic digital brands.

6 min read • Originally published October 27, 2015 / Updated April 12, 2021

By Andrea Williams

@AndreaWillWrite

Andrea Williams is an author, journalist, and columnist for The Tennessean with over 16 years of experience in journalism and 20 years in copywriting and communications strategy. Her work spans national outlets and high-traffic digital brands.

6 min read • Originally published October 27, 2015 / Updated April 12, 2021

Circulation: 2.3 million
Frequency: Monthly
Special issue: The “Women of the Year” issue runs every December

Background: There’s something alluring about a woman who has impeccable style, who can rock a high-waisted trouser and nude lip like she just floated off the runways of New York Fashion Week. What’s even more impressive, though, is a well-kept woman who can also debate the complexities of the Syrian migration crisis and American immigration reform. And that woman, most likely, is a Glamour reader.

“The Glamour woman is unique,” says senior editor Emily Mahaney. “She has an interest in fashion and beauty, but there’s so much more to her. She’s interested in what’s happening in her world, how to make a difference in her world and how to get ahead in her career. She’s a well-rounded woman, and what she gets from Glamour is a magazine that’s going to cater to all those different areas of her life in a really smart, modern way.”

Glamour, Condé Nast’s darling women’s mag, has long catered to the smart, stylish woman, but in recent years editors have ramped up key content areas even further, including work and money advice. “Obviously, there are more women running businesses and starting businesses than ever,” says Mahaney, “and young readers talk to us all the time about how their careers are a very important aspect of their lives. So we are trying to deliver better and more career content than ever before.”

The magazine is also continuing its coverage of fantastic, award-winning news stories — particularly pieces featuring female heroines and provocative stories about women and the new obstacles they’re facing. The annual “Women of the Year” issue has pushed these incredible stories to the forefront for the last 25 years, and to further expand Glamour‘s focus on strong, powerful women, the magazine now features a monthly “Glamour Woman” column. “Now, instead of just having Glamour ‘Women of the Year’ in our December issue, in every single issue of the magazine you’re going to get a profile of a world-changing leader or an inspiring woman with an incredible story,” Mahaney says.

In short, Mahaney and her colleagues are more committed than ever to Glamour‘s overall mission — to empower women in every aspect of their lives.

What to pitch: For freelancers looking for their first Glamour byline, some great sections of the magazine to pitch include the book’s health pages and “All About You” section. The latter includes stories about relationships, dating and sex, as well as news and human-interest stories.

Editors also seek great pitches for the “Work” section, which features personal finance, money management and overall get-ahead advice, so if you’ve got some good ideas about asking for a raise, getting promoted, launching a side hustle or something related, feel free to pitch away. “The article could be based on a concept, or it could also be based on a personality if there’s a really great young woman who has an insanely impressive career that would be the perfect cornerstone for our piece,” Mahaney explains.

Always on the lookout for compelling female-driven stories, Glamour also runs a lot of as-told-to pieces and essays with women protagonists. “We’ve had essays about everything from a woman battling a drinking problem, to a woman talking about her relationship with her transgender sibling and a woman discussing how she finally learned she was staying too long in relationships,” says Mahaney.

Story lengths vary, as Mahaney notes that she’s assigned everything from a 200-word brief to a feature clocking in at 2,000 words.

What not to pitch: Fashion and beauty content is written in house.

What publicists should pitch: Tip No. 1: Establish a relationship with the editors! According to Mahaney, that is the secret for publicists hoping to score a client placement in Glamour‘s pages. “I think the days of the cold-press release are over,” she says. “I rarely, if ever, look at them. I just don’t have the time. I get 250 emails a day.”

Instead of email-blasting a generic release to every single one of your editorial contacts, Mahaney suggest publicists “read the magazine; look at the masthead; find out who’s working on the pages in which your product fits; and start relationship-building with that person.” And when you do connect with the right person, avoid morphing into the overzealous PR person who follows up on a pitch every hour.

“Be patient and understand that our time is just as important as yours,” Mahaney says.

Percentage of freelance content: About 40 percent
Percentage of freelance pitches accepted: 30 percent, though Mahaney notes that this is the percentage of pitches she’s typically interested in — not necessarily the amount that actually gets published. After receiving a pitch, Mahaney will either correspond with the writer to further flesh out the pitch until it’s worthy of an assignment, or she’ll let the writer know that, while the current pitch misses the mark, she sees enough promise in the writing and idea that she’d like to see more pitches in the future.

Recent freelance story pitched and published: In the fall of 2014, a writer pitched a story around the statistic that female students are most likely to be sexually assaulted on college campuses during the first weeks of the school year. “Everyone knew that sexual violence on campuses had been in the news, but this was a spin that I hadn’t heard before,” Mahaney says. She loved the idea and the story ran in Glamour‘s “Conversation,” a news roundup and analysis page.

Etiquette: As a freelancer trying to land a Glamour byline, you’re probably most concerned with crafting the perfect pitch and, subsequently, how you’ll crush the assignment once given the green light. But for Mahaney, if you can’t deliver a killer headline, you won’t even get the chance to showcase your killer writing skills. “I want to see a headline that could, literally, sell the entire story,” she says. “If you can write a sharp headline, you can write a sharp, voice-y piece.”

Follow that up with a couple of concise paragraphs that explain the topic you want to cover, why your angle is fresh, why the story is newsworthy and how it’s exclusive to Glamour (and not a tired retelling of a story that already exists in 4,527 iterations across the Web) and you’re well on your way to that coveted assignment.

But beware, adds Mahaney: There are some critical mistakes that can ruin even the most well-meaning freelancer’s chances for an assignment. First, avoid boring, evergreen pitches — à la “5 Types of Guys Every Woman Should Date” — like your freelance career depends on it. And don’t make the editor do all the heavy lifting in assessing your idea. “People will pitch with one line, and in that line they’ll hyperlink me to a study or hyperlink to an IMDB page about a movie that’s coming out about the subject,” Mahaney says. “They pitch in a way that’s making me do all the work, and I might not have time — in the 10 minutes I have to respond to emails — to pull up four different Web pages and try to figure out what the angle should be.”

Lead time: Three months
Pay rate: Varies based on assignment, but competitive
Payment schedule: On acceptance
Kill fee: 25 percent
Rights purchased: All rights

View the Glamour masthead

Contact info:
Glamour
1 World Trade Center, 30th Floor
New York, NY 10007
www.glamour.com
Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Pinterest
Email format: FirstName_LastName@condenast.com

Direct pitches to:
Senior Beauty Editor Lindsay Schallon: LINDSAY underscore SCHALLON at CONDENAST dot COM

Commerce Editor Shanna Shipin: SHANNA underscore SHIPIN at CONEDENAST dot COM

Entertainment Editor Caitlin Brody: CAITLIN underscore BRODY at CONDENAST dot COM

Senior Health Editor Macaela Mackenzie: MACAELA underscore MACKENZIE at CONDENAST dot COM

Executive Editor Natasha Pearlman: NATASHA underscore PEARLMAN at CONDENAST dot COM

Culture Editor Mattie Kahn: MATTIE underscore KAHN at CONDENAST dot COM

Senior Editor Anna Moeslein: ANNA underscore MOESLEIN at CONDENAST dot COM

EDITOR’S NOTE: Though we’ve updated this article recently, the speed at which things move in media means things may have already changed since then. Please email us if you notice any outdated info.

Topics:

How to Pitch

Gintaras Asakenas