How to Pitch a Story

We take everything on pitch. If we accept a piece, we work closely with the writer during development (typically over a few weeks) to make sure the final work lands where it should. The process is collaborative and meant to bring out the strongest version of your idea.

Before you send anything, take a moment to confirm that your concept fits what we publish.

Next submission period: December 8, 2025-January 15, 2026

What We Accept

We currently commission three broad categories of work:

• Reviews

Reflections on books, films, performances, or cultural artefacts of any kind. Our reviews are highly personal, anchored in the writer’s lived experience (or curiosity, or obsession), and they don’t need to be timely. We care less about being first and more about being interesting.

• Opinion Pieces

Sharp, thoughtful arguments about something happening in culture, politics, technology, or society. We’re not looking for hot takes or unpopular opinions; we’re looking for ideas that add something meaningful to the conversation.

• Essays & Critiques

Personal essays, cultural criticism, and reflective examinations of the systems we live in, online and off. This might be an analysis of online behaviour, media dynamics, celebrity culture, or the places where public performance meets private reality.

If your idea fits comfortably into one of these categories, or overlaps between them, you’re likely in the right place.

We do not accept fiction at the moment.

What Makes a Strong Pitch

For us, a good pitch does three things:

1. States the core idea clearly Tell us what the piece is, in two or three sentences. If it takes a full paragraph to describe, the idea probably isn’t ready yet.

2. Explains why the story matters Why you? Why now? Why should we, or anyone else, care?

3. Shows us the shape

  • What argument are you making?

  • What examples or reporting will you use?

  • What questions are you trying to answer?

You don’t even need to know the entire piece before you pitch. We’ll help you refine it. We just need to see that you know what you want to say.

What to Include in Your Email

Please send:

  • A working headline

  • A brief summary of your idea (150–250 words is ideal)

  • Why you’re the right person to write it

  • Your bio

  • Links to any previous work (published or self-hosted)

  • Any time sensitivity if applicable

No full drafts, please.

Timing & Responses

We’re a small team, and for better or worse, we read and respond to every pitch. So bear with us—it may take a little time to get back to you. If you include any time sensitivity, please put it in the subject of your email, and we'll try our best to respond before then.

If you haven’t heard back in two weeks, you’re welcome to nudge us. If you haven't heard back in a month, you can assume the emails have defeated us and resend.

Rights, Edits & Payment

If we accept your pitch:

  • You retain copyright to your work

  • We receive first publication rights and a standard digital archive license

  • We edit collaboratively (and thoroughly)

  • Payment terms are discussed and agreed on before work begins

Where to Send That Pitch

Please email pitches to editorial@thoroughbredsmag.com with the subject line: PITCH / [Your Headline]

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