Pitches wanted (work, religion, science, etc.) | up to 50+ cents per word

COMPANY/PUBLICATION: COMMON GOOD

Issue 15 is off to the printer, and if you're keeping track — we are — this is our fifth anniversary issue. Yep, issue one hit the printer way back in the pre-pandemic world of spring of 2019. Wild.

We’re looking for pitches, particularly for digital publication, but of course we're always considering for print, too. Send us an idea you’re ready to dive into.

If it helps, here are a few things we’re wondering about lately:

• True crime. We want to talk about our obsession with true crime. Or at least, you know, level of obsession with true crime. We want to think about what it is about these stories of justice, mystery, and the gruesome that keeps a whole industry going.

• Work and social life. What does work have to do with our social lives? The Wall Street Journal reported on Gen Z’s here. Do you agree? Or maybe, what does it mean for all of us?

• Coffee shops filled with Christians. Go in just about any coffee shops in any part of the country, and you'll see some Bibles open and a hefty contingent from some nearby college ministry. Why? Here’s a bit of the talk around town over the years (not that we're looking for similar types of coverage; just demonstrating the phenomenon):

  • In the LEO Weekly (Louisville, KY)

  • From Queer Kentucky (Louisville, KY)

  • And Reddit r/kansascity (in which one commenter notes it’s “because the heathens open bars”)

  • A decade ago from The Pitch (Kansas City)

• Why do we have school shootings? 

We’re also looking for:

• A serious science journalist/writer to explore the academic and popular fields of neurotheology ( often presented as a mashup of inner person neurobiology and theology).

• A few avid readers — who can demonstrate that they write about literature — to write about pop culture classic books with an eye toward SEO efficiency. Classic like Harry Potter, not like Oedipus. Though, depending, some real classics are good, too.

• Reporting on workplace trends.

• Stories of hyper local political engagement, especially any that involve churches and or faith groups.

• A journalist/profile writer in Orlando. If that's your or someone you know, shoot us an email.

And if you're new around here — and somehow there's like 500 more of you since the last email — here’s a general guide for what we’re looking for.

Theology. We generally use “theology” in the broadest sense of the God- and church-directed parts of our lives. Pieces here could be about Scripture, the church, the history of faith. We’re open to reflections on the trinity or ideas of community outreach, too.

Vocation. This is where we talk abo­­ut work. It’s not only about how you make money, but it includes that. We’re looking for writing about calling, the future of work, leadership, tech at work, productivity, stewardship, home life (think personal relationships, parenting, etc.).

Economics. We do a little with formal economics and political economy, usually driven by some economists on the Common Good team. But mainly, the economics department is about where economic systems meet (or diverge from) virtue. FYI, we promote a vision for all this that comports with these 12 principles of economic wisdom.

Arts and culture. We take the creation mandate (Genesis 1:28, 2:15) to mean all kinds of creation — and all kinds of cultivation. We're open to discussing fine art, low art, books, film, podcasts. Whatever.

Sports. We all do sports, one way or another. And as a cultural driver, few things are more money-generating and more unifying in America today. (Unifying in the sense that they provide a shared language and experience for our culture.)

Just shoot us an email at editors@commongoodmag.com, and put "pitch" in the subject line. If it's timely, note with "timely pitch." We’re pretty informal when it comes to pitches. While we’re open on form (we’d consider pieces of the personal narrative kind), we’re inclined toward reported essays and other journalism, interviews, and researched stories.

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CONTACT INFORMATION (please do not share the email address publicly):

• Questions/submissions: editors@commongoodmag.com

• Website: https://commongoodmag.com/

TO HELP YOU CRAFT YOUR PITCH:

• Learn more about the publication: Common Good is a place for thoughtful commentary on and stories about the diverse people and ideas shaping faith, work, economics. It is a magazine about the integrated life. More information here.

• Read through its selection of recent articles/stories, categorized into: Uncommon Ideas, Theology, Vocation, Economics, Arts and Culture

• Check out our collection of pitch excerpts on this page and find more sample pitches at The Open Notebook and at SuccessfulPitches.com.

• Do not forget to end your pitch with (1) a short introduction about yourself; (2) a few lines 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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