✍️ Someone Else Is Pitching Your Idea Right Now
The difference between “I thought of that!” and a paid byline is one short email. Here’s how to send it first.
If you’re a writer and you’re not submitting to pitch calls, you’re leaving opportunities — and portfolio clout — on the table.
Let’s fix that.
🧠 First, what even is a pitch call?
A pitch call is an open invitation from an editor or publication. They’re looking for writers to send in ideas for stories — essays, reported pieces, cultural commentary, and more.
You send them a short email explaining the piece you want to write. If they like it, they’ll pay you to write it. That’s a pitch.
It’s basically a freelance writing audition, but faster, more casual, and often way more fun.
💡 Real-world example? I once pitched the LA Times a piece about coming out as bisexual — and how women-only spaces like pole dancing classes helped me safely explore my sexuality without the male gaze. They said yes. That essay went live, helped me land memoir ghostwriting clients that made up my first six-figure year as a freelancer, and brought dozens of emails from readers who felt seen.
It paid me once, but the benefits just kept compounding.
Now imagine doing that every month.
📣 Types of Pitch Calls (And Who They’re For)
Not all pitch calls are created equal — which is great news for you. There’s something for every type of writer.
1. Personal Essay Pitch Calls
Magazines and newspapers love fresh, raw, beautifully-crafted essays. Especially if it ties into identity, relationships, work, or culture.
Who this is for: Writers with lived experience and strong narrative chops.
2. Reported Story Pitch Calls
These are journalism-style stories — interviews, deep dives, or cultural snapshots that require source-gathering and research.
Who this is for: Freelance journalists, or curious writers who don’t mind cold-emailing a few experts.
3. Op-Ed & Commentary Pitch Calls
You’ve got a take. A sharp one. Maybe even a contrarian one. Here’s where you pitch it.
Who this is for: Thoughtful thinkers with a pulse on current events or social issues.
4. Niche or Thematic Pitch Calls
From small business stories to astrology essays to holiday grief reflections — these are often tied to specific themes or calendar dates.
Who this is for: Writers who can connect their personal experience or expertise to a timely idea.
📢 We round these up every single day 6 days per week in our Subscriber Chat — and 5x per week via email on the pitch section of our writing job board. If you’re not already reading them… well, you’re missing the pitch boat.
👉 Paid subscribers get access to:
Our 6x week daily pitch roundup on our Subscriber Chat
The full Pitch Database (for evergreen, year-round opportunities)
Our Writing Job Board, featuring high-paying freelance clients
Our 5x per week pitch call roundup, with fresh-off-the-press pitch calls delivered straight to your inbox
And regular GuestStack pitch calls — where we pay $1/word to personal essayists.
💡 So… why bother pitching?
Not all pitch calls pay well. Some don’t lead to long-term work. So why do it?
Because even a $200 essay can be worth 10x that in what it builds for you.
Let’s break it down:
1. Portfolio Power
When you can say “published in LA Times / Insider / HuffPost / The Cut” — you stand out. High-end clients notice that.
2. Backlinks & SEO
Most bylines link to your site or Substack. More eyeballs. Better Google results. Higher authority.
3. Paid Practice
You’re not just building clips. You’re getting paid to write better. And if they don’t accept it? Publish it on your Substack. Nothing is wasted.
4. Editorial Feedback
You don’t have to pay an editor to help refine your work — they pay you and then help make your piece better. That’s a win-win.
5. Bigger Audience, More Impact
You’re not just writing for your subcribers anymore. A good pitch puts you in front of thousands — maybe even millions — of new readers who might not have discovered your work otherwise.
6. Future Opportunities
One great piece can lead to column work, collaboration invites, or even a pathway to publishing a book based on your essay. I’ve seen it happen.
And when it doesn’t? You still walk away with a new portfolio piece and a sharper skillset.
✨ How to Write a Pitch That Actually Gets Accepted
Here’s the brutal truth: most pitches suck.
They’re too long. Too vague. Or they bury the good idea under 14 paragraphs of backstory.
Trust me: I read tons of pitches as part of our $1/word personal essay pitch calls over on our GuestStack column.
Want your pitch to stand out?
1. Nail the subject line.
Make it clear, tight, and punchy. It’s the headline of your email and your idea.
2. Hook them in the first sentence.
Don’t start with “Hi, I’m a writer based in…” Start with the idea. Start with the drama. Start with why this story matters.
3. Be specific.
Don’t say, “I’d love to write about AI.” Say: “I want to write a reported piece about how Etsy sellers are using AI tools to replace copywriters — and what it means for the creator economy.”
4. Match the tone and format.
Read what the publication publishes. Mirror their voice and structure. Editors want pieces that feel like they already belong.
5. Keep it short.
One tight paragraph. Maybe two. If your pitch needs a TL;DR… you’re doing it wrong.
6. Show your chops.
Link to your best past work. (Hint: if you don’t have published clips yet, use your best Substack post or Medium piece.)
📚 Bonus Tip: Some publications literally tell you how to pitch them. Look for their “pitch guide” or “submission guidelines” — or check our Pitch Database where we’ve compiled these for you.
💬 Not Just for Journalists
Too many writers think they “aren’t ready” to pitch.
They assume they need a journalism degree, a blue checkmark, or an MFA. Wrong.
Editors care about the idea and your ability to deliver it. That’s it.
You can be a novelist who pitches a brilliant essay. You can be a blogger who pitches a great op-ed. You can be a Substacker with a small list and a strong voice.
You just need the right pitch — and the right opportunity.
(We’ve got both.)
🗂️ TL;DR — Here’s Your Next Step
If you want to…
Build a real portfolio
Reach new audiences
Attract better freelance clients
And finally see your name in your dream publication
…then you should be pitching. Weekly. Hell, even daily.
📬 And we make that easy:
Paid subscribers get our daily pitch roundup + full Pitch Database + writing job board access:
🔓 Upgrade now and start pitching smarter.
👀 Final Thoughts
Every published piece is a breadcrumb.
It leads readers to your work. Clients to your inbox. And editors back to your pitches.
So get in the game. Pitch something today.
(Then come tell us about it in Subscriber Chat!)
–Amy
I just sent my first pitch ever to Business Insider last week. We’ll see. Regardless I was proud I took a shot.