Contributor guidelines

Pitching your story or idea

We do accept unsolicited material, if it is polished and fits the tone and style of the magazine, and falls within the general word counts (roughly 600–650 words for one page and up to 1200 for two-page stories).

Alternatively writers can pitch their stories by email first. To be considered your pitch should be one paragraph long and contain a topic sentence, a sample introductory sentence, and give the story angle, writing tone, suggested word length, a list of possible interviewees (if appropriate) and whether or not photographs and/or illustrative material is available. Note that if your story idea is event-based you must pitch it well before the event takes place. If we like the idea, we will call or email you to discuss it further.

Pitches should be emailed to editorial@bigissue.org.au.

What we look for

We would advise that you read as many recent copies of The Big Issue as possible in order to gain a good idea of the sorts of stories we like and the style of writing we prefer. Keep in mind that we are an independent publication and are thus able to do stories other magazines and papers might not be able to do.

As well as our core content (current affairs and social justice issues), we’re also interested in stories focused on street culture and quirky, humorous or unusual topics. What we are looking for is good writing that helps us put a human face on our analysis of social issues. Whether you want to contribute satire, hard news, travel articles, investigative journalism or puff pieces, the most important thing we are looking for in submissions is clarity and an interest in people’s experiences. Serious topics need to be tackled in such a way as to keep the reader interested; dry, fact-laden reportage and an overly earnest writing approach are to be avoided. Please note that we do not publish poetry from non-‘Streetsheet’ contributors.

We’d encourage you not to be disheartened if your first ideas are not picked up; we don’t commission a story unless we are confident that it would suit the magazine. When pitching stories for the first time, sending copies of your previously published work is a good idea.

We won’t accept stories that have been submitted as part of assessment for any kind of journalism course, unless everyone interviewed for the piece is expressly forewarned that what they have told you may be published.

Story length and pay rates

Feature stories run between 600–1200 words (and most commonly are two-page spreads of approx 850 words), columns are around 600 words, and one-page pieces are usually 600–650 words.

Because we are a charitable organisation we are unable to offer commercial pay rates. The standard rate of pay for features and news stories is 20 cents a word. We don’t guarantee payment until the piece is published, and payment is made according to the final length of the edited article (a list of published word lengths of articles is provided in the contributors section of our website to help you invoice us correctly).

Payment for film, book, DVD and CD reviews is a flat rate of $30. The review sections are coordinated by section editors. Do not submit reviews except at their request.

All invoices must include:

• Date
• Name
• Address
• ABN
• Bank details
• What invoice is for (including edition number)

Submitting your story

Please email your story as a Word attachment and as a back-up also pasted within the text of the email (editorial@bigissue.org.au). We do not accept stories by fax. Please note that all freelance contributors are required by law to provide us with an ABN or a completed ‘Statement by Supplier’ form. If you need more details about your tax status, please visit the Australian Tax Office website, ato.gov.au.

Email unsolicited submissions to: editorial@bigissue.org.au

Contributors must ensure their submissions are their own original work and that publication by The Big Issue will not contravene the rights of any third party.

Photographers/Illustrators

Submit your work for consideration in low-resolution format to editorial@bigissue.org.au. Make sure “Roving Eye” is in the subject line. We will get back to you if your pitch is successful.

Information for arts pages

For the smartest arts and entertainment coverage, get The Big Issue each fortnight and peek inside the heads and hearts of the artists who set the creative pace.

If you’d like to get in touch with any of our arts editors, email: editorial@bigissue.org.au.

Film Editor: Rochelle Siemienowicz

DVD Editor: Anthony Morris

Music Editor: Anastasia Safioleas

Books Editor: Jo Case

Contribute to the website

We like to keep the website fresh with recently published Roving Eye photographs, illustrations and vendor profiles and portraits. If you have contributed any of these and would like them published on the website, email: anna@bigissue.org.au.