How Do I Submit An Article To The New York Times
📰 Level Up Your Life: How to Get Your Killer Story Into The New York Times
Alright, listen up, you aspiring word-slingers and truth-tellers! You’ve got a story that’s fire, a perspective that's hotter than a jalapeño in July, and a dream bigger than a Texas longhorn—you want to see your name in the most prestigious paper in the game: The New York Times. That’s the big leagues, baby! It's not just a newspaper; it's a vibe, a cultural touchstone. Getting published here is like hitting a grand slam in the World Series of writing.
Now, let's be real. It’s not as easy as sending a quick text. They get more pitches than a baseball team during tryouts—we're talking an avalanche of ideas. But don’t sweat it! We’re going to break down this whole shebang, step-by-step, with all the juice you need to make your pitch stand out like a neon sign in a blackout. Get ready to go from "Who's that?" to "I know that name!"
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| How Do I Submit An Article To The New York Times |
Step 1: 🧐 Figure Out Your "Why" and "Where"
Before you even think about smashing that "Send" button, you gotta get your ducks in a row. This is the crucial prep work that separates the rookies from the pros.
1.1 Read the Darn Paper—Seriously!
This sounds basic, but you wouldn't believe how many folks skip it. You need to become a certified NYT obsessive. Read the section you're aiming for every day for a month.
What are they covering?
What’s the tone? Is it high-brow, snarky, deeply personal?
What kind of writers do they use—experts, freelancers, or internal staff?
You need to know the editor’s flavor like you know your favorite pizza topping. If you're pitching a "Modern Love" essay, you better know that column's emotional gut-punch style. If it's an Op-Ed, you need a strong, unflinching take.
1.2 Nail Down Your Article Type
The Times isn't a one-size-fits-all situation. Your story needs a home. Is it a:
Op-Ed/Sunday Review: A strong, timely opinion piece, usually 700-1200 words, that takes a clear stand on an issue.
Modern Love: A deeply personal, true story about the complexities of love and relationships (usually 1,500-1,700 words during submission periods).
Feature Story: A longer, heavily researched piece for a specific section (e.g., Business, Travel, Styles). This often requires demonstrating serious reporting chops.
A "Doodle" or Slice of Life: Pieces for their digital sections that might be visually driven or focused on niche expertise.
Pro-Tip: Don't send a personal essay to the Business section editor. That's a one-way ticket to the digital trash can, my friend.
Tip: Focus on one point at a time.
Step 2: ✍️ Craft the Pitch That Slays
Your actual article might be brilliant, but the pitch is the bouncer at the velvet rope. It's gotta be short, sharp, and totally irresistible. Think less long-winded novel and more killer movie trailer.
2.1 The Subject Line: The Hook, Line, and Sinker
Your subject line is your one shot to avoid the digital black hole. Editors are drowning in emails. Make it jump off the screen.
Bad: Article Idea for [Section Name]
Okay: Pitch: My Take on the New TikTok Trend
Golden: Pitch: Why Gen Z is Ditching Avocados for Spam (It’s Not About Money)
See the difference? It's specific, intriguing, and sets up a clear conflict or surprise.
2.2 The Body: Keep it Snappy, Not Sloshy
Keep your pitch email to three paragraphs, max. Seriously. Pretend you're paying by the word.
Paragraph 1 (The Hook): Slam into the core of your story. What's the killer opening line of the actual article? What's the timely element that makes it urgent right now? Why should the reader care about this right this second?
Paragraph 2 (The Angle): Explain the unique perspective you're bringing. This is your "so what." What's the surprising twist? What evidence, data, or personal experience makes your take different from the other 50 pitches on the same topic?
Paragraph 3 (The Closer): Briefly introduce yourself. Who the heck are you? Why are you the only person on the planet who can write this story? Include a one-sentence bio with your relevant expertise or past publications (if you have them). Finish by stating the proposed word count and saying you can deliver a draft by a specific, realistic date.
QuickTip: The more attention, the more retention.
2.3 Attachments and Links: Show, Don't Just Tell
Never attach the full article unless the submission guidelines explicitly ask for it (like for Modern Love). Instead, include links:
Link to 1-2 of your absolute best, most relevant clips (previously published articles). If you don't have clips, start a blog and write some. Show them you can write a compelling narrative.
Link to your LinkedIn or professional website.
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Step 3: 🕵️ Find the Right Gatekeeper
This is where you go from generic sender to targeted sniper. Sending your pitch to the general submission email is like throwing a message in a bottle into the ocean.
3.1 Research the Section Editor
Go back to Step 1.1. Look at the articles similar to yours. Who is the editor's name listed? This is your target. You want the specific editor for the section you are pitching (e.g., the editor of The Upshot or the Opinion section editor).
3.2 Hunting for the Email
Editors’ emails at the Times often follow a similar, predictable format (e.g., firstname.lastname@nytimes.com). You're going to put on your deerstalker cap and do some light sleuthing on Google, LinkedIn, or Twitter.
It’s like finding a secret speakeasy—you gotta know the code.
If you find a slightly older article about the editor, they might have their contact information there. Don't pitch them on social media unless they specifically invite it. Keep it professional.
Tip: Don’t just scroll to the end — the middle counts too.
3.3 The Final Check: Exclusivity is King!
You need to know this in your soul: The New York Times only accepts original, exclusive material.
If you send your pitch to them, you cannot send it to The Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal, or your personal blog at the same time.
If you don't hear back after three business days, the industry standard is that you are free to offer it elsewhere. But always wait for that window to close!
Step 4: 🧘 Be Chill and Play the Waiting Game
You've sent the perfect pitch to the right person. You've basically done everything you can. Now, you gotta be Zen.
4.1 The Polite Follow-Up
The editors are busy people—they're not ignoring you because you're a nobody. They're ignoring you because they're on deadline for a story about the end of democracy or something.
Wait one week (seven days) after your initial pitch.
Send one super polite email. Re-send the original pitch (or just reply all so they see it easily) with a short line like: "Just bumping this pitch up in your inbox in case it was missed! No worries if it's not a fit, but wanted to ensure you received it."
That’s it. Do not send another follow-up. Do not call their office. Do not show up at their home (obviously!). If they're interested, they'll reply. If they say no, respond with a classy, "Thanks so much for considering it!" and move on to your next great idea.
The goal isn't just one article; it's building a relationship!
FAQ Questions and Answers
How do I find the correct word count for my article submission?
Tip: Don’t just glance — focus.
The word count depends on the section! Op-Eds generally run between 700-1200 words. "Modern Love" is usually 1,500-1,700 words during open periods. The best way is to read the section and see how long similar articles are, or check the specific section's submission guidelines page on the NYT website.
Can I submit an article that was published on my personal blog?
No way, José! The Times has a strict, no-exceptions rule: all submissions must be entirely original and previously unpublished. This includes your personal blog, LinkedIn, Medium, or even a local newspaper. It must be exclusive.
How do I pitch a full-length investigative feature story?
For these longer, more ambitious pieces, your pitch needs to focus heavily on your reporting plan and your clips (published samples of your work). You must prove you have the skills, sources, and time to pull off a big, complex story. You’ll usually pitch this to a specific section editor (e.g., Investigations or Magazine).
What if I don't have any professional writing credits (clips)?
Start small and build your portfolio! Write for smaller publications, niche blogs, or industry journals relevant to your topic. You can even write a few killer pieces on your own blog. Editors want to see proof that you can write a clear, coherent narrative, so having a few polished samples is essential to make a serious pitch.
When is the best time to send my pitch email?
Editors are usually chained to their desks Monday through Friday. Aim for a Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday morning (around 9:30 AM EST). Monday mornings are often consumed by staff meetings and catching up on the weekend's chaos, and Friday afternoons are when everyone is mentally checking out.
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