Pitches wanted (reported reads, big topics, compelling narratives) | $1.50 to $2 per word

COMPANY/PUBLICATION: COSMOPOLITAN

Deadline: 12 September 2023

Erin Quinlan, Features Director at Cosmopolitan, is looking for pitches:

Cosmo pitch call: The features team is now seeking proposals for deeply reported reads to run in spring 2024 and beyond. Figure 2500-4000 words, $1.50-$2/word. No theme; just my chronic gluttony for ambitious, original journalism. Pitches by 9/12 extra appreciated.

Basically any topic of interest to young women in the U.S. is fair game. My department tends to look for compelling, original narratives that allow us to back into big topics. The great story comes first.

Some recently published pieces that started as cold pitches:

• The Bad Guy List: https://www.cosmopolitan.com/lifestyle/a41734505/bad-guy-list-sex-workers-albuquerque-new-mexico/
• Sadie Robertson Huff Preaches Submissive Womanhood. Her Message Is Uncomfortably Compelling: https://www.cosmopolitan.com/lifestyle/a41559535/sadie-robertson-huff/
• Special Report: The Hellish New Trauma of Living Through Multiple Mass Tragedies at Once: https://www.cosmopolitan.com/lifestyle/a41428491/mass-tragedy-trauma/
• The Scammer Who Traveled the World by Swindling Her Closest Friends: https://www.cosmopolitan.com/lifestyle/a40942987/sabrina-taylor-scammer/
• The Doll Mommies Are Fighting: https://www.cosmopolitan.com/lifestyle/a44094061/reborn-doll-baby/
• Inside the Secret Fleet of Abortion Vans Meeting Patients Near Ban States: https://www.cosmopolitan.com/lifestyle/a41429848/abortion-delivered-vans/

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

• Questions/submissions: erin.quinlan@hearst.com
• Website: https://www.cosmopolitan.com/

TO HELP YOU CRAFT YOUR PITCH:

• Learn more about the publication: Cosmopolitan is a media brand for young women packed with fresh and fundamental intel about what millennials truly care about. It aims to deliver content that is interesting, fearlessly authentic, and unapologetically honest. More information here.
• Read through its selection of recent stories/articles, categorized into: Long Reads, Print Magazine
• 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.

* * * * * * * * * *

LOOKING FOR MORE OPPORTUNITIES? Find additional jobs on Extra. Check out the upcoming deadlines on our PLUS+ Calendar. Filter the listings by category (worldwide opportunities, high-paying leads, paying publications, and non-pitching jobs). Use the search form on the homepage to find opportunities relevant to your interests.

WANT OUR DIGEST delivered to your inbox on a daily basis? Go to your email settings and make sure the notifications for Write Jobs PLUS+ are turned on. Want more tips? Read the welcome notes here.