Pitch Prism
Hi! 👋🏾 We’re Prism, an independent, nonprofit newsroom led by journalists of color. Our mission is to share stories from grassroots perspectives. Our reporting aims to fill the gaps left by mainstream media and inform movements for collective liberation. You can read more about our mission here.
We encourage pitches from BIPOC, women, LGBTQIA+ people, and others from historically oppressed communities. Whether from emerging voices or experienced writers, we’re interested in well-researched, topical pieces grounded in historical and political context, with a compelling voice and strong narrative.
Prism accepts pitches that cover issues across the U.S., U.S. territories, and wherever the direct consequences of U.S. policy and imperialism are felt.
How to pitch to Prism
Please review our pitch guidelines below and pitch Prism using this form. We will no longer be accepting submissions via editors’ emails and previous pitch inboxes.
Prism works a 4-day workweek and we are closed on Fridays. If your pitch has been accepted, you will hear from us within one to two weeks. We are currently unable to respond to every submission.
Pay for accepted pitches will be sent within 15 business days upon publication. To learn more about the kinds of stories we’re looking for, check out our latest coverage and commentary, and follow us on Bluesky, Instagram, and Facebook to get a sense of our community and what moves us.
Before pitching to Prism, please consider the following:
- What is missing from the reporting you currently see on this topic? What are the coverage gaps or gaps in information? What analysis is missing, and what historical grounding is absent? What is the root cause of the problem?
- What community is most impacted by the news, and are they centered in existing reporting?
- Who are the most vulnerable people impacted by this news, policy, etc., and how is it playing out in their lives?
- What people or grassroots organizations have been working on these issues for a long time but are absent from the conversation?
- What people/grassroots organizations know more about this subject than I do, and who can provide additional insights into what is happening?
NOTE: Review Prism’s code of ethics section on AI and generative AI here. Prism does not utilize generative AI tools (such as Chat GPT, DALL-E, or Midjourney) to create original content, pitches for articles, or images because these tools can create inaccurate or biased information. Our commitment is to human-authored, fact-checked journalism from pitch to publication. Pitches generated by AI will be automatically declined without response.
Story types and base-rates
Not sure which category your pitch falls into? Here’s a guide to our story types, typical scope of work, and base rates. Rates are agreed upon before an assignment begins.
News Stories – $600
News stories answer “Who, what, when, where, and why.” These stories include original reporting and explain what happened and why it matters. News stories are usually time-sensitive and involve interviews with relevant sources and reviewing publicly available forms or documents.
Features – $800
Features stories are longer, reported pieces with a stronger narrative framework. Key Elements are character-driven, have a strong sense of place, and dive deep into issues and systems. They typically involve more extensive reporting, interviews, and research than a typical news story.
Investigative News Story – $900
Investigative news stories involve additional reporting and original research beyond what a typical news story requires, but are generally narrower in scope than a full investigation. They involve discovering previously unreported information, pursuing sources who are difficult to reach, or connecting information that hasn’t previously been brought to light.
Investigations – $1,500
Investigations are substantial, deeply reported projects that require significant original reporting and research. They involve extensive document review, data analysis, numerous interviews, public records requests, and more. Every investigation Prism publishes goes through a thorough legal review with an attorney.
Op-eds – $400
Opinion pieces that offer a clear argument on a current issue. These articles are informed by the writer’s expertise, experience, or analysis.
Q&As – $400
Q&A articles typically begin with an introduction that sets the context and establishes the framework for the discussion. The conversational exchange between the subject and the reporter is designed to capture the unique personalities involved, adding depth and authenticity to the dialogue.
Explainers – $400
An explainer aims to provide in-depth analysis, context, and understanding of complex or significant news stories. Explainers break down intricate topics, events, or issues into simpler terms, making them more accessible to the general audience.
Personal Essays – $400
Personal essays are grounded in a personal narrative. These may include anecdotes or “scenes” and tie the personal story to larger societal issues.
Right to Write – $400
Our Right to Write (R2W) project welcomes stories from across our verticals and coverage areas from the currently or formerly incarcerated, as well as the proxy journalists, writers, organizations, and community members working with incarcerated writers.
Most often, R2W pieces are first-person or experience-based stories in which incarcerated writers share their stories, perspectives, and expertise. While these stories may incorporate research and reporting, they generally do not require the same level of original reporting or document research as other assignments. The $400 base rate reflects the typical scope and reporting demands of these pieces, rather than the value of the writer’s perspective or lived experiences.