Pitches wanted (adventure, lifestyle, conservation) | $350 to $450 per article

COMPANY/PUBLICATION: SIERRA

Jen Rose Smith, Adventure and Lifestyle Editor of Sierra, is looking for pitches:

I'm looking for digital-only pitches for Sierra — please pitch me Sierra-ish adventure, lifestyle, and conservation stories at jenrosesmith.sierra@gmail.com

Digital rates: $350–$450, depending on scope.

If you’re not a regular Sierra reader, it will really help to familiarize yourself with our recent stories (and print departments) prior to pitching. Most (but not all) stories focus on the US.

WHEN I’M READING PITCHES, THE FOLLOWING STAND OUT:

• Newsy peg
• Personal connection
• Solid data
• Reporting plan

YOUR PITCH SHOULD INCLUDE:

• suggested headline
• suggested dek
• 1 to 2 paragraph pitch
• a couple-line bio
• a few relevant clips you're proud of
• link to your website/profile if you have one

Imagine this: I am in a pitch meeting persuading my colleagues that your idea is the story we want now. It's your job to give me the tools I need to effectively talk them into it. Quickly.

I'M EXCITED TO SEE MORE:

• Nerdy deep dives into green gear topics (not gear guides, gimme the data)
• Surprising stories about people making positive change
• Diverse voices, sources, and perspectives
• Fire stories
• Star/dark sky stories
• Expansive understanding of what adventure can be

Before pitching, google your topic + "Sierra Club" to see if we've covered it recently. If we have, all is not lost — but make sure your angle is VERY clearly fresh and different.

I'm: Jennifer.smith@sierraclub.org Please include the word "pitch" in your subject line. It's my intention to briefly respond to every pitch. If you don't hear back after a week, feel free to follow up.

PS — one note about clips. It's great if you have a big byline! Congrats! But you don't need one to pitch me successfully. Well-written stories with fresh ideas matter more than big-name outlets. Send me clips that represent the kind of writing you want to do for Sierra.

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

• Questions / submissions: jennifer.smith@sierraclub.org
• Website: https://www.sierraclub.org/sierra

TO HELP YOU CRAFT YOUR PITCH:

• Learn more about the publication: Sierra is the storytelling arm of the Sierra Club, a grassroots environmental group. It is a national print and digital magazine that publishes journalism, photography and art dedicated to protecting the natural world. Combining features on green living and outdoor adventure with reporting about threats to the environment, Sierra brings together leading journalists, photographers, and filmmakers to convey the ideals at the heart of the Sierra Club’s mission. More information here.
• Read through its selection of recent articles/stories, categorized into: Adventure, Lifestyle, Conservation 
• 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.
• 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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