Call for submissions

Aug 24, 2012

Call for submissions

This post has not been approved by Media Co-op editors!

We keep hearing that summer is ending, but in at least some of the places we live it’s just started feeling like the summers we remember. As we head into so-called fall, we hope you’ll consider contributing to The Dominion. We will pay two contributors for news features to be published in the next issue of The Dominion

We prioritize solutions-oriented news pieces with a Canadian angle, including photo essays and video pitches. We accept stories of national interest, including those about Canada’s role in international affairs. Priority will be given to articles of a time-sensitive nature.

While we are only able to pay for two contributions per month, we do accept unpaid contributions as well. Pitches are welcome from anyone, with priority for payment going to those who have previously contributed.

Please read over past content to get an idea of what we publish. It’s also a good idea to make sure you’re not covering a topic we’ve recently covered, unless there is a new angle or update. Consider what other media has covered the topic you are pitching and from what perspective. Be sure your pitch is news-focussed, rather than opinion or academic. We like both of those forms, but they’re not what we publish. Think seriously about your sources and interviewees—this is something we consider seriously when reviewing pitches.

Finally, we encourage interested contributors to look at the stories proposed by other Media Co-op members here. Some of the topics being suggested this month include:

  • Alternative and community currencies (such as Seedstock)
  • Secret undermining of Canada's public health system
  • Government whistleblower watchdog failing to deliver after 5 years
  • Harper’s attack on environmental science

Part of our mission is to include readers in our editorial process, so we're more likely to select strong pitches that touch on topics our readers have shown interest in.

Deadline for pitches: September 1 at Midnight
Response to pitches by: September 6
First drafts due: September 15
Final copy due: September 31

How to pitch:

1. Set up a Media Co-op account (if you don’t already have one): http://mediacoop.ca/user

2. Check out our writer’s guide for hot topics and details about writing for The Dominion: http://dominionpaper.ca/write For a more in-depth look, check out our Writer’s Guide here: http://mediacoop.ca/writersguide

3. Peruse the Media Co-op discussion page for story ideas: http://www.mediacoop.ca/group/discuss/10957

4. Pitch!: http://mediacoop.ca/pitch

5. Info about making a video pitch: http://dominionpaper.ca/video/create. To pitch a video news clip, contact us: http://dominionpaper.ca/contact

The deal:

Pitches should be less than 200 words and include your planned sources and research. An entire story submitted as a pitch will not be considered for payment. The Media Co-op currently pays a flat rate of $100 for accepted stories. Articles are either 750 or 1500 words. See the video guidelines for length of videos.

Editors reserve the right to suggest changes and edit stories (with your participation, of course!). Pitches should capture the content, tone and style of the story you plan to submit; if the content submitted differs significantly from the pitch, editors reserve the right to withhold payment. We accept pitches at any time, so if these deadlines don’t work for you, please consider contributing at a later date.

We look forward to hearing from you!
The Media Co-op Editorial Collective