Freelance with The 51st

What types of stories do you publish? 

Our four focus areas include:

• the cost of living in D.C.
• guides that make living here easier
• reporting that holds accountable local government, nonprofits, businesses, and other folks in power
• stories that showcase the people, arts, and organizations that make D.C. an awesome place to live

These topics show up as news articles, explainers, D.C.-centric features, and columns like Ask A D.C. Native, the Wilson Building Bulletin, Arts and Eats, and Weekend Events. 

How often do you assign freelance stories? 

We currently have a small budget that allows for an average of five freelance stories per month. 

How do I pitch a story?

Send an email to pitches@51st.news.

What makes a good pitch for The 51st? 

We usually consider a pitch that does the following: 

• Covers D.C. proper.
• Is NOT just a broad topic or idea, but a specific story with a new or unique angle. 
• Includes who, exactly, you’ll interview and why. 
• Tells us why this story is relevant to our readers or why they need to know about it. 
• Tells us why this story should be published in this moment. 
• Explains why you’re the best person to write this story.

Why wouldn’t you accept a pitch? 

We may not accept a pitch if it doesn’t meet the criteria above; if we — or another local news outlet — recently published a similar story; if we already have stories on a similar topic in the works; or if we don’t have the budget or editorial capacity to accept the pitch at that time, among other reasons. We’re actively fundraising to increase the amount we can publish but, for now, we’re a small, part-time team with a limited freelance budget. 

How long does it take to hear back? 

Because we are a small team, we unfortunately can’t respond to all pitches. If you don’t hear back within two weeks, it’s likely not a good fit for us, and you can feel free to pitch elsewhere. 

How much do you pay? 

Check out this sheet for article, photography, and illustration rates.