Want to contribute to Solving Sacramento? Here are our submission guidelines.
Solving Sacramento covers solutions to pressing issues in our community. We place readers, listeners and community members at the center of our coverage.
We’re looking for stories on the topics of affordable housing, homelessness, economic equity, arts and culture, and the environment. Your finished story and/or photos may run in any, all or some of our partner media outlets.
We’re interested in working with professional freelance journalists, independent writers, photographers and illustrators, as well as students who aspire to work in the media industry. All freelancers are expected to follow journalistic standards and code of ethics.
Our rates: Our stories typically range from 500 to 2,000 words. We pay writers a flat rate between $100 to $650, depending on the assignment. We pay photographers and illustrators between $250 and $650. We pay students a flat rate of $100 per assignment, until three assignments have been successfully completed, at which point they may receive the higher professional rate. The editor will make your rate clear at the onset of the assignment.
Deadlines: We want freelancers to have ample time to complete an assignment. The editor will work with you to determine a reasonable deadline.
Contractor agreement: You will need to sign an independent contractor agreement to work with Solving Sacramento. (Other paperwork may also be required, as needed.)
Story pitching: Email your pitch to info@solvingsacramento.org and include “pitch” in the subject line. We only accept pitches via email. In a few paragraphs tell us your story idea, why our media partners’ readers will care, a few sources you plan to interview and why you are the one to write the story. We’d also like to see some links to your published work. We try very hard to respond to all inquiries. But if you haven’t heard back from us within two weeks, you should consider pitching elsewhere.
Photography assignments: We’re looking for great photojournalists. If you’re interested, email info@solvingsacramento.org and include a link to your portfolio or examples of your work.
Our coverage area: We’re primarily focused on stories of interest to community members in the greater Sacramento area.
AI policy: We do not allow the use of AI-generated text or photos in our stories. If we determine a writer or photographer has used generative AI to produce their work, we will not hire them again.