Pitches wanted (Twitch, pop culture) | $300+ per article

COMPANY/PUBLICATION: POLYGON

Deadline: 8 September 2023

Nicole Clark, Senior Culture Editor at Polygon, is looking for pitches:

Polygon is looking for pitches! We’re running a package about twitch’s place in pop culture, and the streamers who've made it, to coincide with twitchcon 2023 Las Vegas. Please pitch us by September 8. Pay starts at $300 for reporting.

TWITCHCON VEGAS 2023
Package dates: Oct. 19 - 23
Pitch deadline: Sept. 8

During 2023’s TwitchCon in Las Vegas, attendees will have a chance to meet content creators, and see what the future holds for the platform. In this week-long package, Polygon will run stories about Twitch and its place in pop culture — including which trends are taking over the platform, what it means to be a Twitch star, what fans are up to, and what we’ve spotted at this year’s TwitchCon.

We’re looking for pitches! If you’re new to pitching us, please check out our pitch guide. Please send pitches to nicole.clark@polygon.com with specialprojects@polygon.com cc’d on the email, and “TwitchCon pitch” in the subject line.

These stories do not have to be related to TwitchCon specifically, and we won’t be sending any freelancers to TwitchCon (a staff writer will be attending). And if you already have a great idea that fits within this theme, even if it’s not specific to any of the below prompts, please pitch us!

THE STATE OF STREAMING:

This package will be headlined by a handful of 1200 - 1700 word features centered around the future of Twitch, the state of streaming, and the people who make and consume streaming content.

(Note: Please do not pitch how-tos, or service stories around streaming — refer to our “Streamer Survival Guide” package for what we’ve already done, and therefore would not currently commission.) For help ideating, here are some formats to pitch against:

Twitch trends come and go — whether that’s 2020’s rise in chess streaming, 2021’s hot tub meta, 2022’s trend in streamers joining TikTok. What is on the rise right now, and poised to take over the platform by TwitchCon in October? Have any streamers participated in trends in unexpected ways? For example, Vtubers participating in the hot tub meta, or a streamer using a hot tub meta overlay in order to breastfeed on stream. These well-researched trend stories should have a strong narrative and character-focused hook that pulls readers in before jumping into the bigger idea.

Who makes Twitch streams happen? What does it mean to produce, assist, edit or manage Twitch stars? Is there any interesting behind-the-scenes drama, or tricks of the trade that are invisible to the everyday person? These reported stories should humanize their subjects, and/or share unexpected information that is otherwise invisible to viewers.

What does it mean to be a Twitch fan in 2023? Are you attending cons wearing cosplay? Are you flooding NYC’s Union Square hoping for a PS5? These stories will take the pulse of streamer fandom in the form of well-sourced reports about fan trends and behavior, or “as-told-tos” from attendees of such events.

CONTENT CREATOR SPOTLIGHTS:

Twitch has created its fair share of household names, but it’s also home to tons of talent with dedicated cult audiences, as well as up-and-comers. Who is blowing up right now, and how are they changing what it means to be a Twitch streamer? What catapulted them to fame? Yes, streamers play games on Twitch, but they also do so much more — like branching into lifestyle content, specific hobbies, or sex work; having a large presence on numerous other platforms and/or being on TV; organizing into content creator collectives; and also starting other kinds of businesses. What does it mean to be a Twitch star in 2023?

These 900 - 1200 word stories will be driven by creator interviews, and mix profile with cultural commentary — aiming to answer both the question of “why them” and “why now.” Here are some examples: Disguised Toast, Pokimane, Amouranth.

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

• Questions/submissions: nicole.clark@polygon.com (cc: specialprojects@polygon.com)
• Website: https://www.polygon.com/

TO HELP YOU CRAFT YOUR PITCH:

• Learn more about the publication: Polygon is a gaming and entertainment website in partnership with Vox Media. This culture-focused site covers games, their creators, the fans, trending stories and entertainment.
• Read through its selection of recent stories/articles, categorized into: Gaming, Entertainment, Features
• Review the submission guidelines here.
• 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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