View all newsletters
Sign up for our free email newsletters

Fighting for quality news media in the digital age.

  1. Comment
February 26, 2008

How to pitch to: Extra

Pitch to: Me at g.adams@independent.co.uk

Type of articles: Either potential cover stories – that’ll be 2,500-4,000 words of honed, original, brilliant prose, on a subject that will make [editor] Simon Kelner pat me on the back when its unveiled in morning conference (that’s the idea, at least) – or shorter pieces (up to 1,600 words) for any of our specialist sections – Health, Green, Science and Tech.

Topics: For the cover story, nothing is out of bounds – though it’s usually vaguely related to the news agenda of the day, or captures some sort of zeitgeist. Pieces for specialist pages should, obviously, be vaguely related to those (admittedly broad) topics.

How to pitch: Email a brief run-through of the idea. If you’re new to us, attach examples of published work.

Post pitch: If I haven’t got back to you after a couple of days, try a follow-up email, or phone call.

What will impress: Originality and wit.

What won’t impress: Spelling mustakes! Pitches from people who have clearly never read the Extra section. Lazy pitches using annual events to recycle old ideas. This week I’ve had a dozen proposals related to Valentine’s day, and another half dozen about International Women’s Day. Last week it was Holocaust Memorial Day. You get the picture.

Content from our partners
MHP Group's 30 To Watch awards for young journalists open for entries
How PA Media is helping newspapers make the digital transition
Publishing on the open web is broken, how generative AI could help fix it

Rate: We can pay competitively for the right piece.

Images: Depends on the story… But as a general rule, no.

Email pged@pressgazette.co.uk to point out mistakes, provide story tips or send in a letter for publication on our "Letters Page" blog

Select and enter your email address Weekly insight into the big strategic issues affecting the future of the news industry. Essential reading for media leaders every Thursday. Your morning brew of news about the world of news from Press Gazette and elsewhere in the media. Sent at around 10am UK time. Our weekly does of strategic insight about the future of news media aimed at US readers. A fortnightly update from the front-line of news and advertising. Aimed at marketers and those involved in the advertising industry.
  • Business owner/co-owner
  • CEO
  • COO
  • CFO
  • CTO
  • Chairperson
  • Non-Exec Director
  • Other C-Suite
  • Managing Director
  • President/Partner
  • Senior Executive/SVP or Corporate VP or equivalent
  • Director or equivalent
  • Group or Senior Manager
  • Head of Department/Function
  • Manager
  • Non-manager
  • Retired
  • Other
Visit our privacy Policy for more information about our services, how New Statesman Media Group may use, process and share your personal data, including information on your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications.
Thank you

Thanks for subscribing.

Websites in our network