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Youll notice common traits: Our stories come from a place of familiarity and understanding.
Theyre thoughtful and measured we dont trade in outrage or knee-jerk reactions.
When appropriate, the language is playful; in all cases, its lively.
The best pitches have an unmistakable Vulture quality and would be hard to imagine getting published by anyone else.
Then see if our competitors have already published one.
Keep your pitch short:Lead with the headline and get to the central idea quickly and succinctly.
Be mindful of pegs:We do our best to elevate great stories at timely moments in pop culture.
Quality, not quantity:Pitches should be timely, unique, and well-considered.
We have plenty of formats for interviews (see below) and encourage you to pitch within that criteria.
Song/music-video/playlist premieres:To the extent that we even do these, our staff handles them.
Satire/fiction: Not us.
I want to write about X because it is more relevant now than ever.
Can I rank Xs body of work, just because?
Id like to round up [insert identity-based grouping] comedians/actors/authors you should know.
Further down youll find details on what each specific subject editor wants from pitches.
But first we want to walk through the formats we regularly use across all subjects.
We encourage you to be familiar with these Vulture staples and pitch within them when it makes sense.
We cannot emphasize it enough: There should be a clear, concise angle to the interview.
Specificity is key, and the more unexpected the interview topic, the better.
If youre interested in on-the-ground reporting, we often run interviews conducted at entertainment events as Chat Rooms.
These quick talks with talent ininformal settingscan often yieldfunnystories.
Let the appropriate subject editor know if youd like to be considered for such assignments.
Anonymous in Hollywood: As-told-to series featuring first-person accounts that touch on sensitive but important topics in Hollywood.
These stories are generally only green-lit when pitched with a tip or existing source and a clear story concept.
Below the Line: Onscreen talent arent the only ones with stories to share.
We want to hear from Hollywood craftspeople and technicians about the work they do.
Do you know someone who had tocostume an Indian wedding?Pit Chris Evans against Chris Evans?Dragon-wrangle?
First, the subject should not have already beencovered to death.
Second, you should be able to make a convincing case for why it deserves an oral history.
What is thecultural footprintthisthinghas left behind?
How has thenarrative shiftedsince its release?
And why is now theright timeto tell this story?
How old isEmily (in Paris)?
Exactly what is inBen Afflecks cup?
Personal Essays: We occasionally publish first-person essays, but thebarforthemisveryhigh.
Remembrances: We are respectfully interested inobituary-style critical essaysafter acultural figuredies.
Were looking specifically for:
Reportedstories about the ways movies aremade,distributedand consumed.
These pitches should involve strong leads and multiple sources.
If you have access to the screenwriter or filmmaker behind the movie ending, even better.
Wednesday Night Movie Clubpitches.
This is a bimonthly column involving a short essay and alive-tweeted screening of a film on Vultures account.
The best WNMC pitches aretimely, and provide anunexpected,compellingargument for why that movie should be watchedright now.
The more specific/idiosyncratic the angle, the better.
Character Studies: Reported histories offan-favoritecharactersand close looks at theirevolutionsand the elements thatmake them who they are.
Were looking specifically for:
Investigativefeaturesthat speak to thechangingmusic-industryecosystem.
Unique reporting around a buzzy new song or album the more granular, the better.
Insightfulclose readsandexplainerson specific jokes andmemes.
Surveys of comedy figuresreflectingon a specificquestion,issue, ortheme.
We look for lists on all topics: movies, TV, books, games, and so on.
But most of all, we look for passion and an interesting point of view.
Were looking specifically for:
Explainers and investigations: Why areNetflixs original shows leavingNetflix?
gadget reviews that gobeyondsimply listing new features and drawbacks.
Were looking specifically for:
Podcast recommendations off thebeatenpath.
Worthwhile deep dives or backstories intosensational episodesor series.
Brewingcontroversiesthat warrant comment or coverage.
Podcast personalities doing somethingnewin the space, orpeoplewho would make for aninterestingconversation.
Where Do I Send My Pitch?
Be aware that we assign far fewer stories and have a generally higher bar for peripheral subject areas.
Drop us a line atstories@vulture.com!
Wait at least two days before following up, and hey refrain from doing so in excess.
The surest way tonothear back is by ignoring the guidelines we provided above.
