Pitches wanted (Texas) | 50 cents per word

COMPANY/PUBLICATION: TEXAS MONTHLY

Sandi Villareal, Deputy Editor for Digital at Texas Monthly, is looking for pitches:

I did not write anything that published in 2022 but I had the immense privilege of editing some wonderfully talented writers. A very small of memorable pieces and authors:

• Working with Bekah Mcneel is always a joy. Here, she takes a look at the evangeli-speak of Texas GOP leaders and why it works: https://www.texasmonthly.com/news-politics/texas-gop-christian-language-nationalism-decoding/
• Michael Luis Ortiz followed the ongoing unrest in Uvalde, speaking with families of the Robb Elementary victims and longtime activists. His prose moves me every time he writes: https://www.texasmonthly.com/news-politics/robb-elementary-uvalde-protests-echo-1970s-movement/
• After the Dobbs decision, the impending Texas trigger law caused mass confusion. TM asked all state legislators who voted for the law + state leaders to clarify the life/health exception. Only 1 answered.
• Peter Holley, with the story: https://www.texasmonthly.com/news-politics/when-does-pregnant-texan-life-count-under-new-abortion-ban/
• I was thrilled to touch anything adjacent to TM's fantastic White Hats podcast. Here,
• Jack Herrera digs in to the relationship of one of the most well-known Rangers with Lipan Apache chief Flacco, and how that friendship spurred a whole mythology. https://www.texasmonthly.com/being-texan/texas-ranger-jack-hays-chief-flacco-lipan-apache/
• Had the distinct pleasure of working with Mary K. Cantrell, Allegra E. Hobbs of The Big Bend Sentinel on this important examination of a broken death investigation/identification system in far West Texas: https://www.texasmonthly.com/news-politics/far-west-texas-death-id-system-failing-migrants/
• And finally, this beautiful reflection from Aaron E. Sanchez, someone whose words always resonate. Read up + then take a New Year's hike. https://www.texasmonthly.com/travel/reclaiming-outdoors-for-my-abuelos/

And so, for the new year, my goal is to edit more wonderful writers like these. I am looking for essays from Texans and interesting stories in and about Texas/Texans. You can pitch me at svillarreal@texasmonthly.com.

Typical rate is $.50/word for online pieces.

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

• Submissions: svillarreal@texasmonthly.com
• Website: https://www.texasmonthly.com/

TO HELP YOU CRAFT YOUR PITCH:

• Learn more about the publication: Texas Monthly chronicles life in contemporary Texas, reporting on vital issues such as politics, the environment, industry, and education. The magazine is known for astute political commentary and compelling longform narrative nonfiction. As a leisure guide, it continues to be the indispensable authority on the Texas scene, covering music, the arts, travel, restaurants, museums, and cultural events with its insightful recommendations. More information here.
• Read through its selection of recent articles/stories, categorized into: News and Politics, Arts and Entertainment, Being Texan, Food and Drink, Travel and Outdoors, True Crime
• 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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