Editorial Access: Media Credentials, Editor Moves and Pitch Calls for November 6, 2026
Your weekly curated collection of industry events opening their media credentialing, magazine editorial new hires and active pitch calls opportunities for my fellow freelancers, publicists and founders.
November 26–28 | Bayou Classic
New Orleans, LA
The 53rd Annual Bayou Classic returns to New Orleans Thanksgiving weekend, bringing together Grambling State University and Southern University for one of the nation's most celebrated HBCU football rivalries. Beyond the Saturday football game, the weekend features the Thanksgiving Day Parade, Battle of the Bands, Greek Show, Fan Festival and alumni celebrations.
Media Credentials: The 2026 applications are officially closed, but organizers indicate that late requests may be considered on a case-by-case basis.
Visit the Bayou Classic media and news page
November 27 | BET's Soul Train Awards
Chicago, IL
The Soul Train Awards return November 27, celebrating the music and cultural influence of R&B, soul and hip-hop. Hosted by Anthony Anderson, the 2026 ceremony returns to Chicago, the birthplace of the original Soul Train television show.
About the Soul Train Awards: Created to honor the legacy of Don Cornelius and the groundbreaking television program he launched in 1971, the awards recognize established icons and emerging artists shaping Black music and popular culture. Chaka Khan will receive the Classic Soul Honor.
Media Credentials: Journalists and media outlets should contact BET's publicity department directly for accreditation information.
BET Press: betpressinfo@bet.net
BET's official press releases and announcements
December 7 | 49th Annual Kennedy Center Honors
Washington, DC
The 49th Annual Kennedy Center Honors will take place December 7, 2026, recognizing individuals whose contributions have shaped American performing arts and culture. This year's ceremony will be held at Capital One Arena rather than the Kennedy Center, which is currently closed for renovations.
About the Kennedy Center Honors: Established in 1978, the annual honors recognize exceptional lifetime contributions to American culture through the performing arts, including music, dance, theater, opera and film.
Media Credentials: Media outlets should contact the Kennedy Center Honors press team for accreditation requirements and coverage information.
Kennedy Center Honors Press: KCH@paramount.com
December 12 | The Root 100 Gala
New York, NY
The Root 100 Gala returns to New York City on Saturday, December 12, celebrating Black innovators and culture-shapers.
Media Credentials: Journalists interested in covering the event should contact The Root's editorial or publicity team directly.
Visit The Root | Follow The Root on LinkedIn
EDITORIAL MOVES
Newsroom hires, promotions and industry transitions across digital and legacy media.
Samantha Brown Named Producer at Vogue
Samantha Brown has joined Vogue as a Producer.
About Samantha: Brown is part of Vogue’s digital video production team. Her production credits include Off the Cuff, Vogue’s celebrity interview series. Her work places her in Vogue’s video operation, rather than its traditional print or digital writing desk.
Contact Samantha: LinkedIn
Stacia Datskovska Named Senior Commerce Writer at WWD
Stacia Datskovska is now a Senior Commerce Writer at Women's Wear Daily (WWD). She covers shoppable trends across fashion, beauty and home, with an emphasis on product launches and emerging consumer trends.
About Stacia: Datskovska's work focuses on products readers can shop, including new brand launches, designer collaborations, seasonal shopping guides, product reviews and trending items. Before joining WWD, she was an Assistant Digital Editor at ELLE DECOR, where she covered design news, interiors and home products. She also has bylines in USA Today, The Boston Globe, Teen Vogue, Food & Wine and Cosmopolitan. A graduate of NYU with a degree in journalism and international relations, she brings both reporting and e-commerce experience to her current beat.
Contact Stacia: sdatskovska@fairchildfashion.com
LinkedIn | Read her WWD profile
Lila Hathaway Promoted to Assistant Accessories Editor at ELLE
Lila Hathaway has been promoted to Assistant Accessories Editor at ELLE Magazine. Hathaway moves into the editorial role after serving as Fashion Market Assistant and Closet Coordinator at the publication.
About Lila: Hathaway’s coverage centers on accessories, jewelry and fashion trends. Before this promotion, she worked as ELLE’s Fashion Market Assistant and Closet Coordinator. She previously held a Fashion Assistant position at W Magazine. Her move into the assistant accessories editor role puts her closer to the editorial decisions and product coverage shaping ELLE’s accessories pages.
Contact Lila: LinkedIn
EDITORS ON THE HUNT
Opportunities for freelancers, publicists and owners looking for active entry points in legacy and independent media outlets.
MIT Technology Review Is Seeking Freelance Pitches on Automation
Deadline: November 13, 2026
MIT Technology Review is accepting freelance pitches for an upcoming issue exploring automation and its impact on society. Editors are interested in feature-length narratives, reported essays and profiles examining how automation is changing industries, workplaces, economies and everyday life.
Compensation: $1–$2 per word.
How to Apply: Review the publication's pitching guidelines and submit a focused story proposal that connects automation to a timely issue or emerging development.
The BREAK–DOWN Seeks Freelance Writers for Its Issue on Climate Repair
Deadline: November 12, 2026
The BREAK–DOWN is accepting pitches for its fifth print issue, titled Repair. The publication explores the intersection of capitalism, climate change and ecological crises. Editors are seeking reported features, political and economic analysis, argumentative essays, photojournalism and dispatches examining climate adaptation and environmental restoration.
Potential story angles include food security, damaged ecosystems, infrastructure, environmental inequality and communities responding to climate change.
Compensation: £650 for written pieces of approximately 3,000 words. Higher rates may be considered for reporting that requires additional expenses.
How to Apply: Email a two-to-four-paragraph story proposal, author biography and explanation of why the story fits the publication to pitching@break-down.org. Include ISSUE 5 in the subject line.
Read the complete pitching guidelines
Note: The publication does not accept work produced using AI tools.
Travel + Leisure Updates Its Freelance Pitch Guidelines
Guidelines updated: September 28, 2026
Travel + Leisure has updated its editorial guidelines for freelance writers pitching both its digital platform and monthly print magazine. Editors are looking for original travel stories with distinctive perspectives, strong reporting and timely angles.
Areas of interest include travel, luxury hospitality, food and wine, outdoor adventure, cultural experiences, aviation, cruises, history and destination features.
How to Pitch: Digital pitches should include a compelling headline and a four-to-five-sentence description of the proposed story. Print pitches should identify the angle, scope, news peg, reporting plan and why you're the right writer.
Alisha Prakash, Editorial Director, Digital
Email: Alisha.Prakash@people.inc
LinkedIn: Alisha Prakash
Susmita Baral, Senior Editor
Email: sbaral@people.inc
Author profile: Travel + Leisure
Paul Brady, News Director
Email: paul.brady@people.inc
LinkedIn: Paul Brady
Read the updated Travel + Leisure pitching guidelines
AFAR Magazine Announces Its Next Freelance Pitch Window
Next print pitch window: November 16–December 15, 2026
AFAR, the award-winning travel publication, has announced its next open window for freelance print submissions. Its editorial focus is on immersive storytelling, cultural exploration, people and places, and the ways travel connects us to the world.
What they're looking for: Reported features, personal essays, photo essays, food and culture stories, artisan profiles, travel experiences and stories exploring the relationship between tourism and local communities.
How to Pitch: Each editorial category has specific requirements, word counts and fees. Pitches must include a clear story concept, reporting plan, relevant sources and an explanation of why the story belongs in AFAR.
Compensation: Print feature rates start at $1 per word. Several designated print departments pay $1,000–$3,000, depending on the assignment.
Important: AFAR's print pitch window reopens November 16. Its digital platform has separate pitching guidelines and accepts pitches independently.
Read AFAR's complete contributor guidelines
Make your next pitch count
The right contact is only the beginning. Know the beat, respect the deadline and bring an angle worth opening. For publicists, founders and freelancers building their next move, stay connected to Stylists Suite.
Explore Stylists Suite membership and find your next editorial connection.
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