EDITORS ON THE HUNT

Featuring mission-driven newsrooms looking for fresh voices, this week’s editors are from high-stakes investigative work at The Contrapuntal to the local impact of D.C. 's The 51st, these outlets are prioritizing equity, innovation, and lived experience. With budgets ranging from $125 to over $1,000, there is a clear lane for your expertise.

THE 51ST IS LOOKING FOR LOCAL STORIES 

The 51st is a worker-led nonprofit newsroom redefining local journalism in Washington, D.C., with a mission rooted in equity and impact. Focusing on the lived experiences of D.C. residents ONLY, the publication covers government, nonprofits, business, and neighborhood life—the 51st is seeking pitches focused on making life in D.C. easier, including service guides, local reporting, and stories highlighting the city’s people, arts, and community.

Writers can pitch across categories: news submissions can be sent to pitches@51st.news, while opinion pieces should be directed to opinions@51st.news.

Payment ranges from $125 to $1,000+ per article, depending on the scope and depth of the story.

Click the link for more details on payment ranges.

THE NATIONAL FOREST  FOUNDATION IS LOOKING FOR PITCHES  FOR LIGHTS SEED MAGAZINE

About: Light & Seed is a magazine by the National Forest Foundation that shares stories about the U.S. National Forests and Grasslands and how people care for and protect these spaces.

They’re currently seeking pitches for the Winter/Spring 2026 issue, focused on how technology and innovation connect with forest landscapes. They’re especially looking for stories for “The Response,” a solutions-focused section exploring how people are addressing major national issues.

Payment ranges: is $1,000 for a 1,000-word article.

If interested, contact Erin at erinvriley@gmail.com  by May 28th. The first draft (1,000 words). Deadline: June 16th.

CARLA’S 45TH PRINT MAGAZINE IS LOOKING FOR PITCHES 

ABOUT: Carla’s 45th Issue is an independent literary publication that underlines themes of bold, creative expression through fiction, poetry, and storytelling.  Carla is a quarterly print magazine by Contemporary Art Review Los Angeles that focuses on contemporary art and culture in L.A.

They’re seeking pitches for their 45th issue, looking for writing that feels timely, thoughtful, and important to today’s art scene—especially pieces rooted in L.A.’s creative community.

Payment ranges: $375 for feature essays and photo essays, $350 for interviews, and $200 for reviews. Deadline: April 10th 

Click for the pitch submission form

THE CONTRAPUNTAL IS ACCEPTING PITCHES 

About: The Contrapuntal is an independent nonprofit publication dedicated to inspiring a fact-based space and established to provide a mainstream media platform for investigative reporting and in-depth storytelling. 

They’re currently accepting pitches for Post-Panoptics: Embodied Surveillance and the Architectures of Control, a project exploring how surveillance shapes power, space, and lived experience. They’re looking for deep, creative, and investigative, visual and graphic essays, and artistic pieces that critically engage with surveillance and control.

Payment ranges:  €1,000 (approx. $1,080 USD) for 5,000-word investigative features, visual essays, and graphic essays, and €500 (approx. $540 USD) for analytical op-eds (2,500–3,000 words). Artistic features that give a €200 honorarium (approx. $215 USD).

If interested, send your pitches to submissions.thecontrapuntal@protonmail.com. Deadline: April 15th 

RIP.E IS LOOKING FOR WRITERS AND CREATIVE STORIES 

Digital Content Editor Mairead Nearty of RIP.E (The Irish Times) is seeking creative writers to produce passionate, attention-grabbing articles on themes such as grief, community-based caregiving, family, Irish tradition, and more. 

If you're a freelance writer with experience in these themes, please apply. Feel free to DM on LinkedIn or email at mairead.neary@rip.ie with a short intro and links to recent work.

EDITORIAL MOVES

The landscape is changing again with major leadership appointments at POLITICO and The New York Times, alongside key promotions at Travel + Leisure and Oprah Daily. These transitions represent new opportunities to connect with the decision-makers shaping global news, luxury lifestyle, and creative direction

POLITICO APPOINTS JONATHAN GREENBERGER AS GLOBAL EDITOR-IN-CHIEF 

Jonathan Greenberger, Global Editor-in-Chief at POLITICO A seasoned media executive and Stanford Law graduate, Greenberger joins from a high-level role as Executive Vice President at POLITICO. He previously served as ABC News’ Washington Bureau Chief and was the youngest executive producer in the history of This Week with George Stephanopoulos

X (formerly Twitter): @greenberger

RACHEL SCHULTZ IS THE NEW EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT TO THE CREATIVE DIRECTOR OF OPRAH DAILY 

Rachel Schultz, Executive Assistant to the Creative Director at Oprah Daily With a background in fine arts and creative direction, Schultz transitions into this pivotal role at Hearst Magazines. Her experience spans art history and visual storytelling, positioning her as a key gatekeeper for the visual identity of the Oprah Daily brand

Portfolio: https://www.rachel-schultz.com/

Instagram: @rachelschultz_art_

Instagram: @rachelllschultz

Email: rachelschultzy@gmail.com 

OWEN BERG IS THE NEW ASSOCIATE SEO EDITOR AT THE NEW YORK TIMES 

Owen Berg, Associate SEO Editor at The New York Times Formerly an Audience Fellow at the Times and Social Media Manager at Documented NY, Berg specializes in the intersection of audience engagement and service journalism.He brings a deep background in editorial strategy from previous roles at Highsnobiety and Chalkbeat

Portfolio: https://owen-berg.com/

BlueSky: @owenberg

Instagram:@owen_19999

ERIN CAVOTO HAS BEEN PROMOTED TO SENIOR EDITOR AT TRAVEL+ LEISURE.

Erin Cavoto, Senior Editor at Travel + Leisure Promoted from Editor to Senior Editor, Cavoto has spent years curating high-end travel and commerce content. Her expertise lies in identifying the essential products and trends that make global travel more accessible and stylish for the modern explorer

Email: encavoto@gmail.com 

Muck Rack: https://muckrack.com/ecavoto

 

COURTNEY WILKINS HAS BEEN PROMOTED TO SENIOR GLOBAL COPY FOR FENTY SKIN BODY

Courtney Wilkins, Senior Global Copy for Fenty Skin + Body Promoted to a senior global role, Wilkins is a creative strategist and copy expert who has been instrumental in shaping the voice of major beauty brands. Her career is rooted in bridging the gap between high-concept brand identity and community-driven social content.

Instagram: @courtforshortttt

Portfolio: https://www.courtforshort.com

X (formerly Twitter): @courtforshort_

Tik Tok: @courtforshortttt

Linktree: @courtforshortttt

ANGELIQUE B IS THE NEW WRITER-REPORTER AT PEOPLE MAGAZINE 

Angelique B, Writer-Reporter at People Magazine Joining the People team, Angelique brings a fresh perspective to entertainment and human-interest reporting. Her background in theater and creative writing allows her to find the emotional core in celebrity news and cultural trends

Portfolio: https://www.angeliquewriting.com/

Instagram:@angeliquebrenes

Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/angeliquebrenes

X (formerly Twitter):@AngeliqueBerenes

NICOLE FORERO HAS BEEN PROMOTED TO MANAGING PRODUCER, VERTICAL VIDEO AT BUSINESS INSIDER 

Nicole Forero, Managing Producer of Vertical Video at Business Insider Elevated from Audience Producer, Forero is a specialist in short-form visual storytelling. Her work focuses on amplifying diverse voices—specifically within the Latinx community—through innovative, high-impact video formats that drive global engagement

Muck Rack:https://muckrack.com/nicole-forero

EDITORIAL ACCESS: MEDIA CREDENTIALS OPENING & CLOSING 

Whether you’re eyeing a feature for Light & Seed or prepping your credentials for NYFW and the James Beard Awards, now is the time to sharpen your pitch and claim your space in the fall editorial cycle.

James Beard Awards

Industry: Food / Culture
Event Date: June 2026 | Chicago

ABOUT James Beard Awards: One of the most prestigious stages in food media. Ideal for writers covering chefs, restaurant culture, and the intersection of food and identity.

Media Credentials: https://www.jamesbeard.org/awards/press

ESSENCE Festival of Culture

Industry: Culture / Entertainment
Event Date: July 2026 | New Orleans

About Essence Festival of Culture: A high-impact space for storytelling across music, business, and Black culture. Strong access to both emerging voices and major talent.

Media Credentials:
https://www.essence.com/festival/media-credentials/

New York Fashion Week

Industry: Fashion
Event Date: September 2026 | New York

About NYFW: Access to runway shows, designer presentations, and backstage moments. Critical for fashion writers, stylists, and visual storytellers.

Media Credentials:
https://cfda.com/programs/new-york-fashion-week/press

Toronto International Film Festival

Industry: Entertainment
Event Date: September 2026 | Toronto

Media Credentials:
https://tiff.net/industry/accreditation

About the Toronto International Film Festival: 

About the Toronto International Film Festival: Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) 2026 The 51st edition of TIFF returns from September 10–20, 2026, solidifying its reputation as a critical launchpad for Oscar contenders and global cinema. This year marks the high-profile debut of TIFF: The Market, a new dedicated space for film sales and industry innovation designed to rival Cannes. Media accreditation is currently open, with the full festival schedule set to drop on August 11.