General Freelance Pitch Form

LOOKOUT News is a forward-thinking, nonprofit newsroom dedicated to delivering in-depth journalism that goes beyond surface-level coverage. We focus on solutions journalism, accountability reporting, and narrative-driven stories that challenge prevailing media frames — particularly where LGBTQ+ communities, rural areas, and undercovered people are concerned.

Our work asks not just what happened, but why it matters, who is affected, and what could actually change. We aim to inform, engage, and empower our audience through rigorous reporting, sharp analysis, and storytelling that treats readers as thoughtful participants in civic life.

Freelance contributors are a vital part of LOOKOUT’s newsroom. We are interested in working with journalists, writers, photographers, and storytellers who are curious, deeply reported, and unafraid to ask hard questions.

We are especially interested in pitches that:

• Go beyond breaking news to explore impact, context, and consequence

• Center voices often left out of mainstream coverage

• Examine power, policy, and systems — and who benefits from them

• Offer solutions, accountability, or new ways of understanding familiar issues

You do not need a fully reported story to pitch us — but you should have a clear reporting plan.

LOOKOUT’s voice is:

• Clear, smart, and accessible — never jargon-heavy or academic

• Human-centered — policy and systems are explained through real people

• Accountability-driven — we name power, responsibility, and consequences

• Nuanced, not neutral — we do not default to both-sides journalism

• Curious and fair — tough, but grounded in facts and deep reporting

Our stories can be narrative, reported essays, investigations, or explanatory pieces, but they should always leave the reader with a stronger understanding of why the story matters now.

We welcome pitches across our core coverage areas, including but not limited to:

• LGBTQ+ policy, culture, and lived experience in Arizona or the Southwest region, generally (including trends across AZ, CO, UT, NM, and NV)

• Accountability journalism involving government, institutions, or corporations

• Solutions journalism addressing systemic problems through policy, innovation, or community-led efforts

• Underreported stories from rural, border, or overlooked communities

• Deeply reported features that challenge dominant narratives

We are particularly interested in stories that connect local reporting to broader state or national trends.

• $250 base pay for reported stories of 800–1,000 words with an expected turnaround of one month

• $50 per original photo published

• Higher compensation available for longer, more complex, or labor-intensive stories, to be discussed with a contracting editor before reporting begins

LOOKOUT pays on publication.

When submitting a pitch, please include:

• A concise summary of your proposed story (what it is and why it matters)

• A list of interviews conducted so far, if any

• Records, documents, or data you have already gathered

• Information still needed to complete the reporting

• A proposed timeline for reporting and filing

Strong pitches clearly explain the reporting angle, sources, and stakes — not just the topic.

To submit a pitch or ask questions, contact:

Joseph Jaafari
Editor-in-Chief, LOOKOUT News
[email protected]

We review pitches on a rolling basis and do our best to respond, though response times may vary depending on newsroom capacity.