Nieman Reports Is Accepting Pitches/ How To Submit (Pay: $250)

Nieman Reports, a publication by the Nieman Foundation at Harvard University, focuses on thought leadership in journalism.

It covers deeply reported feature stories and opinion pieces that address the challenges and opportunities currently shaping the field of journalism. If you are having a problem with your writing, please read this article: How to Overcome Writer’s Block (10 Tips + Personal Examples) 

Submission Guidelines For Nieman Reports 

Writers interested in contributing to Nieman Reports should send a brief email pitch to the editor at nreditor@harvard.edu. The email should include:

• A summary of the proposed piece, outlining the main themes.

• A list of representative sources, works, or news outlets to be examined or profiled.

• A summary of the piece’s relevance in the current media landscape.

• A brief bio if you’re new to Nieman Reports.

The email subject line should read: “Pitch for Nieman Reports.”

What They Want

They are looking for:

Feature Stories: These are in-depth articles, typically ranging from 1,200 to 3,000 words (sometimes longer). They explore significant issues impacting the future of journalism.

Topics of interest include diversity in journalism, coverage of underrepresented topics like women’s sports, trends in news storytelling for specific communities, and the examination of journalistic ecosystems in different regions.

Opinion Columns: These shorter pieces range from 800 to 1,200 words and provide insightful commentary on pressing issues within the journalism industry.

Eligibility Criteria

There are no specific eligibility criteria mentioned for pitching to them, but writers should have a clear understanding of the journalism industry and its current challenges. Both established journalists and newcomers with a strong understanding of the field are welcome to submit their ideas.

Author Rights

The details on author rights aren’t explicitly mentioned, but it is typical for publications like Nieman Reports to hold the rights to the articles they publish. Authors may want to clarify rights and distribution policies when their pitch is accepted.

Payment

They offer competitive payment for accepted submissions:

• Opinion Columns: $250 per piece.
• Feature Stories: $1 per word.

Nieman Foundation’s other publications are Nieman Storyboard, which explores the art and craft of nonfiction storytelling, and Nieman Lab, which reports on digital media innovation.