How to Pitch Slate

ARCHIVED 2021-10-01, DATE APPROXIMATE · VERSION 20211001_rev01 · COMPARED WITH 20210902_rev01

Full text changes — 20210902_rev01 to 20211001_rev01

COLOUR MARKS THE SEVERITY OF A FLAGGED CLAUSE · + AND − MARK ADDED AND REMOVED

 So, you'd like to write for Slate-that's great! If you haven't worked with us before, here are a few pointers on how to craft a pitch and capture our attention.
 **Do** read Slate to get a sense of the magazine's voice and examples of pieces that have been done in a similar vein.
 **Do** Google your idea. It may seem like a no-brainer, but often we reject a pitch because the writer's argument doesn't feel fresh or original. A brief search for other articles on your proposed subject can go a long way to figuring out what's been written about it here or elsewhere, so you can avoid pitching something that feels familiar. This research might also help inform your take-perhaps someone has indeed made your point, but you see a fundamental flaw in their argument, or disagree with their conclusions. That's one way to frame your pitch!
+**Do** make a strong argument if you are pitching a story that is in our wheelhouse: opinion and analysis. Slate is known for surprising, witty, persuasive arguments. The best pitches are clear and concise, providing us with at least one or two specific examples that help solidify your thesis. You don't necessarily need to have answers to all the points your piece might raise, but we do like to know that you've done a bit of research to help formulate your pitch, or can outline what resources you would use to flesh out your story. We particularly appreciate ideas that don't take conventional wisdom for granted. We also encourage pitches for reported pieces or dispatches, and much of the above still applies. In these cases, also tell us what insights your reporting will help uncover or crystallize.
+**Do** make a strong argument if you are pitching a story that is in our wheelhouse: opinion and analysis. Slate is known for surprising, witty, persuasive arguments. The best pitches are clear and concise, providing us with at least one or two specific examples that help solidify your thesis. You don't necessarily need to have answers to all the points your piece might raise, but we do like to know that you've done a bit of research to help formulate your pitch. We particularly appreciate ideas that don't take conventional wisdom for granted.
+**Do** pitch reported pieces and dispatches. Much of the above still applies. In these cases, also tell us what insights your reporting will help uncover or crystallize.
 **Do** distill your idea into a pitch, even if you have a full draft already written. If you happen to have a draft ready, feel free to attach it, but please make sure you still include a full pitch describing the piece in the body of the email.
+**Avoid** vague, one- or two-sentence pitches on a topic, as in, "I would like to write about _X_ because of _Y_ news peg." A short paragraph that captures your argument will be more effective.
 **Do** specify what section of the site you're pitching and find the editor within each section-News & Politics, Culture, Human Interest, Business, and Technology-who is best suited to consider your idea. (For details on which editors to pitch to for what topics, see below.)
 **Do** include a bit about your background in the form of a one- to two-sentence bio. If you can, please provide any relevant published work that's written in a voice similar to Slate's. If not, writing from a personal blog or anywhere else is fine. We do not need a complete CV.
+**Do** be mindful if you pitch your idea to multiple publications. As a general rule, and if the story isn't too timely, it's best to wait about a week before sharing the pitch with another publication. If you do decide to cast a wide net, it's always helpful to let us know ahead of time so we can respond accordingly. We unfortunately aren't always able to respond to every pitch. If after a week or so you haven't heard back, feel free to take it elsewhere.
+**Do** be mindful if you pitch your idea to multiple publications. As a general rule, if the story isn't too timely, it's best to wait about a week before sharing the pitch with another publication. If you do decide to cast a wide net, it's helpful to let us know. We unfortunately aren't always able to respond to every pitch. If after a week or so you haven't heard back, feel free to take it elsewhere.
 **Avoid** sending your pitch to another Slate editor if the first editor passes. We are in close and constant touch with each other and frequently the decision to pass is not made alone.
 To give you a sense of the kind of pitches that will catch our eyes, here is one recently from a freelancer that [eventually became a Slate story](https://slate.com/human-interest/2020/01/merby-merman-calendar-history-masculinity.html):
 > In St. John's, Newfoundland, a provincial fishing town roughly midway between Montreal and Greenland, the mermen began to appear in the summer of 2017. Sunning themselves on rocks by the harbor, or on the graffiti-strewn pylons of an abandoned waterfront factory, they caused quite a stir; one merman even ventured into a local tavern where he was spotted splayed out on the bar smoking a long cigarette. Soon a photo shoot was organized, and the [Merb'y calendar](https://www.nlbmc.com/)-b'y is Newfoundland-speak for dude-was born.
 Books (arguments and literary essays, please-we are not looking for reviews)
 [**books@slate.com**](mailto:books@slate.com)
 ### Human Interest
+Jeffrey Bloomer (features, personal essays, work, sex and relationships)
+Jeffrey Bloomer (reported personal essays, features, work, sex)
 [**jeffrey.bloomer@slate.com**](mailto:jeffrey.bloomer@slate.com)
 Bryan Lowder (food, LGBTQ issues/culture)
 [**bryan.lowder@slate.com**](mailto:bryan.lowder@slate.com)
+Rebecca Onion (history, family)
+Rebecca Onion (history, academia)
 [**rebecca.onion@slate.com**](<mailto: rebecca.onion@slate.com>)
 ### News/Politics
+Nicole Lewis (civil/voting rights, prison abolition, policing, criminal justice)
+[**nicole.lewis@slate.com**](mailto:nicole.lewis@slate.com)
 Susan Matthews (news, politics, law, gender, features)
 [**susan.matthews@slate.com**](mailto:susanmatthews@slate.com)
 Jeremy Stahl (jurisprudence)
 [**jeremy.stahl@slate.com**](mailto:jeremy.stahl@slate.com)