Contributor Submission Guidelines

Before You Hit Send: Shaping a Strong Pitch

Many of the best pieces we publish begin not as finished drafts but as short, focused pitches. If you are unsure whether an idea suits the magazine, a pitch of a few paragraphs is often the most efficient way to start a conversation with the editors. Tell us what the story is, why it matters now, and why you are the right person to write it. A clear angle matters more than a big name: a sharply observed piece about a small Paris club night can be more compelling than a general overview of a famous artist.

What makes a submission stand out

• A specific angle. Rather than "a review of a new album", consider what the record says about its scene, its production choices or its place in an artist's catalogue.
• First-hand reporting. Notes from a gig, conversations with musicians or time spent in a rehearsal space give writing texture that desk research cannot.
• Context for readers. Assume an engaged but not specialist audience. Explain genre terms, label histories or local references briefly, without talking down.
• Respect for the reader's time. Cut repetition and let the strongest paragraphs carry the piece.

Reviews, interviews and photo essays

Reviews work best when they balance description with judgement: tell readers what something sounds like before telling them what you think of it. For interviews, include a short introduction setting out who the subject is and why the conversation is timely, and check quotes carefully against your recording. Photo essays should have a sequence and a story, with captions that add information rather than simply naming what is visible. Make sure you hold the rights to every image you send, and that anyone clearly identifiable is comfortable being published.

Reading what we already publish is the best preparation. Browse our features and reviews to get a feel for tone and length, and look through the archive to check whether a subject has been covered recently. If it has, think about what fresh perspective you could bring. A pitch that shows familiarity with the magazine is always easier to say yes to.