Guides
Magazine pitching and commissioning: a practical guide
Magazine pitching guide covering story focus, reader value, reporting plans, timing, contributor fit, commissioning decisions, scope, fees, rights, and changes.
What to take away
- A pitch proposes a specific story, not only a broad topic.
- Early reporting should show feasibility without demanding unpaid completion.
- A commission needs written scope, dates, fee, expenses, rights, and revision terms.
- Editorial changes that increase work should trigger a scope conversation.
- Editors should close the loop with clear decisions and payment records.
Pitching and commissioning are two sides of one editorial decision. The contributor explains the story, its relevance, likely evidence, form, and personal fit. The editor tests the proposal against the publication's readers, issue plan, standards, capacity, and budget. A clear written commission records the agreement that follows.
Photo and credit
The photograph illustrates writing and planning. It does not depict a contributor to this site.
Before contacting an editor, confirm that every named source, promised document, and proposed reporting method is realistic. Separate confirmed access from hoped-for access. That distinction lets an editor judge risk without mistaking an early lead for a secured interview or usable record.
Records are the usual place where a schedule quietly breaks. FOIA.gov's guide to making a request says agencies process requests in order of receipt, that response time varies with complexity and existing backlog, and that the law does not require an agency to create new records, conduct research, analyze data, or answer questions. A pitch that depends on a records release should therefore say whether the request has been filed, what was asked for, and what the piece becomes if the answer arrives late or empty.
What a useful pitch contains
Lead with the proposed story in one or two sentences. Then explain the reader value, why the subject matters now, what makes the angle distinct, how the reporting could work, and why the writer is suited to it. Name likely sources, documents, scenes, data, access, and visual possibilities without claiming access that has not been granted.
Poynter's three guidelines for a story pitch identify a premise, a reporting plan, and a time peg as core elements. A magazine pitch can add likely length and form, but those details should follow the story rather than substitute for it.
How an editor evaluates the proposal
| Question | Editorial test |
|---|---|
| Reader value | What will the audience learn, feel, or be able to do? |
| Distinction | Has this angle already appeared in the issue or archive? |
| Evidence | Can the central claim be reported and verified? |
| Access | Are necessary people, places, records, and rights reachable? |
| Form | Does the proposed structure suit the material? |
| Risk | What conflicts, harm, legal, safety, or independence issues need review? |
| Capacity | Can the team edit, check, design, and publish the work properly? |
| Cost | Do fee, expenses, visuals, travel, and specialist checks fit the budget? |
Put the commission in writing
Record the parties, working title, assignment scope, target length, intended format, delivery date, reporting expectations, editor, fee, payment trigger, expenses, kill terms, revision expectations, rights, credit, disclosure duties, and cancellation route. Contract law and employment status vary, so a template is not a substitute for advice on a specific agreement.
Manage changes openly
Reporting can change the story. When the new direction alters length, travel, format, number of interviews, data work, deadline, or rights, record a change in scope before asking the contributor to proceed. If the publication ends the assignment, apply the agreed terms and explain what happens to unpublished material.
Common questions
How long should a pitch be?
Long enough to establish the story, relevance, reporting path, and writer fit. Follow the publication's stated preference.
Is a positive email a commission?
Only if it clearly confirms the material terms. Ask for written scope, fee, dates, rights, and revision terms.
Should a writer complete interviews before pitching?
Limited pre-reporting can establish feasibility. Avoid demanding extensive unpaid reporting as a condition of consideration.
Can an editor change the angle?
Yes through discussion. A material change should be reflected in the brief, scope, deadline, and fee where appropriate.
In this guide
- How to write a clear magazine contributor briefContributor brief method for defining reader purpose, scope, format, evidence, sources, voice, visuals, deadlines, revisions, fees, expenses, rights, and approvals.
- Pitch, contributor brief, assignment letter, and contract comparedContributor documents compared across pitches, briefs, assignment letters, contracts, statements of work, change records, invoices, and corrections.
- Magazine commissioning checklist for editors and contributorsMagazine commissioning checklist for pitch focus, reader fit, reporting, scope, deliverables, fees, expenses, dates, revisions, rights, and records.
