Pitches wanted from incarcerated/proxy writers | 50 cents per word
Added 2025-05-07 01:45:25 +0000 UTCCOMPANY/PUBLICATION: PRISM'S RIGHT TO WRITE
Prism’s Right to Write (R2W) project is an editorial initiative to work with incarcerated writers in the U.S.
R2W is rooted in the legacy of BIPOC revolutionaries, writers, and reporters whose work from prison drew greater attention to what was happening behind bars and across the nation. As a journalism nonprofit dedicated to collective liberation and justice, it is important for Prism to keep piercing through the walls of oppression and uplifting the voices, narratives, and experiences of incarcerated people.
The communities we report alongside are deeply affected by the Prison Industrial Complex and the anti-Blackness that is inherent to carceral politics in the U.S. R2W deepens our coverage by working directly with writers and reporters behind bars.
Acting as a partner-publisher and destination for incarcerated reporters, writers, and the organizations and initiatives with whom they work, Prism’s R2W ensures that their voices are a consistent part of our editorial goals and coverage. R2W welcomes incarcerated writer perspectives across our verticals and coverage areas. You can find our published pieces here.
What we’re looking for: Personal essays, op-eds, features, reported news stories, or explainers. We accept pitches, complete drafts, and as-told-to pieces. All stories must be under 1,600 words.
Who can submit: We accept pitches/drafts from the currently or formerly incarcerated and proxy journalists, writers, organizations, and community members working with incarcerated writers.
Pay: Prism pays $0.50/word
Please pitch or submit to us by email: r2w@prismreports.org or to Prism’s P.O. Box
Prism
1423 Broadway #271
Oakland, CA 94612
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CONTACT INFORMATION (please do not share the email address publicly):
Questions/submissions: r2w@prismreports.org
Website: https://prismreports.org/
TO HELP YOU CRAFT YOUR PITCH:
Learn more about the publication: Prism is a nonprofit newsroom that publishes journalism on justice, equity, and social movements. It covers topics such as race, labor, gender, LGBTQIA+ rights, and democracy, featuring news, analysis, and commentary from diverse perspectives. The publication seeks to highlight underreported stories and amplify the voices of marginalized communities. More information here.
Read through its selection of recent articles/stories, categorized into: Race, Economy and Workers' Rights, Gender and LGBTQ+, Immigration, Crime, Reform and Abolition, Politics and Democracy, Climate and Environment, Education
Review the submission guidelines here. Note that these are the publication's general guidelines to help you refine your pitch. You must still follow the editor's specific instructions above.
Check out our collection of pitch excerpts on this page and find more sample pitches at The Open Notebook Database and at SuccessfulPitches.com.
Do not forget to end your pitch with (1) a short introduction about yourself; (2) a paragraph highlighting your writing experience, relevant credentials and publication credits; and (3) links to your strongest work or portfolio, and online profile.
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