publishing

Annotation: How to write a nuanced portrait of singer-songwriter Elliott Smith, 23 years after his death

Annotation: How to write a nuanced portrait of singer-songwriter Elliott Smith, 23 years after his death

Journalist Jamie Fisher interviews 140 people to get to the heart of an artist’s life in ‘Nobody Broke Your Heart’
October 22, 2026
Trevor Pyle
What does it mean to fact-check a story?

What does it mean to fact-check a story?

Wudan Yan on the future of fact-checking in journalism. Plus: Advice for freelancing, and re-introducing yourself to your audience
October 16, 2026
Mark Armstrong
Journalist Wudan Yan on the importance of fact-checking as ‘peer review’

Journalist Wudan Yan on the importance of fact-checking as ‘peer review’

The founder of the fact-checking agency Factual discusses how journalists can organize their reporting to work collaboratively with fact-checkers
October 16, 2026
Mark Armstrong
The power of seeing potential: Three kinds of writing mentors

The power of seeing potential: Three kinds of writing mentors

How Pulitzer winner Miriam Pawel used archives and human-centered storytelling to retrace the epic journey of the University of California. Plus: National Book Award finalists and AI writer scams
October 9, 2026
Erika Hayasaki
Using access wisely for a story

Using access wisely for a story

Nathan Fielder moves in with Elizabeth Holmes, and Seth Wickersham shadows Denver Broncos coach Sean Payton. Plus: Nikole Hannah-Jones's viral essay
September 25, 2026
Mark Armstrong
How a magazine story becomes a podcast

How a magazine story becomes a podcast

Plus: Remembering Annie Dillard, and the National Book Awards announces its longlist for nonfiction
September 18, 2026
Mark Armstrong
Author and editor Sari Botton on giving yourself permission to write personal essays

Author and editor Sari Botton on giving yourself permission to write personal essays

The editor behind the popular newsletters Oldster and Memoir Land discusses her own journey to writing a memoir, and how journalists can find their voice
September 11, 2026
Mark Armstrong
‘There is no good way to say this’

‘There is no good way to say this’

Author Yiyun Li reconsiders the language of loss. Plus: Drawing the line on ethical AI use
August 21, 2026
Mark Armstrong
Annotation: Yiyun Li reconsiders the language of loss in her Pulitzer-winning memoir, ‘Things in Nature Merely Grow’

Annotation: Yiyun Li reconsiders the language of loss in her Pulitzer-winning memoir, ‘Things in Nature Merely Grow’

The acclaimed author discusses how words like “grief” fail when writing about the loss of her teenage son James
August 20, 2026
Mallary Tenore Tarpley
The Nieman Storyboard podcast returns with Pamela Colloff

The Nieman Storyboard podcast returns with Pamela Colloff

The author of “Catch the Devil” on criminal justice reporting and keeping readers hooked. Plus: Ellie Silverman finds the true story behind a now-viral photo
July 17, 2026
Mark Armstrong