How to Pitch Slate

ARCHIVED 2023-03-01, DATE APPROXIMATE · VERSION 20230301_rev01 · COMPARED WITH 20230201_rev01

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+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.
+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** 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.
+**Do** make a strong argument if you are pitching a story that is in our wheelhouse: opinion and analysis. Slate is known for surprising but persuasive arguments. The best pitches are clear and concise with just enough detail. You don't 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 or assume the audience shares their beliefs.
+**Do** make a strong argument if you are pitching a story that is in our wheelhouse: opinion and analysis. Slate is known for its surprising arguments. The best pitches are clear and concise with just enough detail. You don't 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 or assume the audience shares their beliefs.
 **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.
+**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 pitch describing the piece in the body of the email.
 **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 CV.
 **Do** let us know if you pitch your idea to multiple publications. As a general rule, if the story isn't too timely, it's ideal to wait about a week before sharing the pitch with another publication.
 **Avoid** more than one follow-up email. We try to respond to all pitches, but it often isn't possible. If after a week or so you haven't heard back, feel free to take it elsewhere.
 Shannon Palus
 [**shannon.palus@slate.com**](mailto:shannon.palus@slate.com)
 ### Human Interest
+Isabelle Kohn (all Human Interest)
+Isabelle Kohn
 [**isabelle.kohn@slate.com**](mailto:isabelle.kohn@slate.com)
+Rebecca Onion (academia, school, family)
+Rebecca Onion (higher ed, school, family)
 [**rebecca.onion@slate.com**](mailto:rebecca.onion@slate.com)
 Jeffrey Bloomer (features and essays)
 [**jeffrey.bloomer@slate.com**](mailto:jeffrey.bloomer@slate.com)
+J. Bryan Lowder (food, drink, LGTBQ)
+J. Bryan Lowder (food, drink, LGBTQ)
 [**bryan.lowder@slate.com**](mailto:bryan.lowder@slate.com)
+Torie Bosch (for [State of Mind](https://slate.com/technology/state-of-mind), on mental health)
+[**torie.bosch@slate.com**](mailto:torie.bosch@slate.com)
 ### News/Politics & Jurisprudence
 Jeremy Stahl (jurisprudence)
 [**jeremy.stahl@slate.com**](mailto:jeremy.stahl@slate.com)
 Rebecca Onion (history)
 ### Business
 Jonathan Fischer
 [**jonathan.fischer@slate.com**](mailto:jonathan.fischer@slate.com)
+### Technology
+### Tech
+Torie Bosch (for Future Tense, or stories on the policy, ethics, and social implications of tech; for guidelines on pitching Future Tense Fiction; and for State of Mind, on mental health)
+[**torie.bosch@slate.com**](mailto:torie.bosch@slate.com)
+Jonathan Fischer (big tech, cities, media/internet culture)
+Jonathan Fischer (big tech, cities, media, internet culture)
 [**jonathan.fischer@slate.com**](mailto:jonathan.fischer@slate.com)
+Mia Armstrong (Future Tense)
+Mia Armstrong ([Future Tense](https://slate.com/technology/future-tense) and [State of Mind](https://slate.com/technology/state-of-mind))
 [**mia.armstrong@slate.com**](mailto:mia.armstrong@slate.com)
 ### Sports
 Seth Maxon
 [**seth.maxon@slate.com**](mailto:seth.maxon@slate.com)