The Pitch How to lobby for time and space to tell a story As I officially join as Storyboard editor, a question about landing your big break. January 31, 2025 Mark Armstrong Peek inside a successful book proposal Author Kim Cross annotates the lengthy proposal that landed a contract for the book that revisits the 1993 Polly Klaas kidnapping November 17, 2023 Carly Stern Nonfiction author Kim Cross breaks down how to sell a book proposal The narrative journalist details the upside of rejection, the importance of timing, the value of a good agent and the reality of advances November 17, 2023 Carly Stern The Pitch: Landing a “definitive narrative” in The Atavist Magazine Editor Seyward Darby: "I definitely want people who are willing to strip a story down to its basics and figure out how to build it back up." August 18, 2022 Carly Stern 2022 Power of Narrative: The matrix of editor, reporter and story How a longtime contributor and a top editor at The New York Times Magazine work together to create award-winning journalism May 5, 2022 Brian Foisy #7 rule of pitching: Prove your skills and your passion Pitching a story you want to pursue is not the time to hide your light under that proverbial bushel — or to sell what you can't deliver November 10, 2021 Jacqui Banaszynski 3 rejections before a successful pitch to ProPublica’s Local Reporting Network How freelancer Max Blau persisted to land an investigative project fellowship, then a staff reporting position August 18, 2021 Carly Stern Pitching ProPublica’s Local Reporting Network: Focus on sources and impact "Why does this story need to be told here, in this community? And why does this story need to be told now?" says ProPublica’s managing editor for local August 17, 2021 Carly Stern #6 rule of pitching: Stay focused A good pitch is not a scattershot, but a clearly stated central idea or question that is fresh, relevant, and a fit for the publication July 8, 2021 Jacqui Banaszynski #5 rule of pitching: Make it sparkle Don't lose an interesting idea in a boring pitch May 28, 2021 Jacqui Banaszynski 1 2 3 4 Next
