Tell a New York story worth going out for.
We look for first-hand stories about food, drink, culture, and neighborhoods that help readers decide how to spend their time.
Existing clips are optional. Send an idea, not a new article.
Photo: Diane Picchiottino / Unsplash
There would be no city full of stories without the storytellers. The ones who notice, who share, who observe and dig deeper and find new angles. They share tips and laughs and interesting ideas and new ways of thinking and new experiences to have. We want to give the storytellers a place to share.
Right now our table is small, and we’d like it crowded. Maybe it’s the bar you can’t stop thinking about, a breakup that could only have happened here, or an interview only you could get. Bring it all, we’re game!
What we’re looking for
Something you know first-hand, whether it’s a place, a person, a night, a question, or something that happened to you. Show us what’s there, what makes it different, and why it could only be New York.
Food and drink
The dish you’d cross boroughs for, the bar with no sign, and the people behind the counter.
Culture and nights out
Art, music, shows, and the rooms that could only be in New York. If you stayed out too late for it, we want to hear about it.
Neighborhood guides
Your block, the way the people who live there know it. Let’s hear about the bodega, the regulars, and the place that just opened down the street.
Personal stories
The breakup, the roommate, the first apartment, the month you went sober. What happened to you here, told honestly. Too much information is welcome.
Funny and relatable
Photo essays, GIF stories, and the everyday absurdity of living here, from the walk-up to the subway seat. These are the stories you send to the group chat.
Interviews and profiles
The people who make New York what it is, in their own words. The drag queen between looks, the chef before service, the person behind the presentation.
Reported stories
The serious stuff like what’s changing in the city, who it affects, and why it matters. We take our time with these, because getting it right matters.
How to pitch us
Name the New York angle
Where does it happen, who’s involved, and why should anyone care right now?
Show what you know first-hand
What did you see, taste, hear, or find out? If it needs more reporting, tell us who you’d talk to.
Make it worth sharing
Who’s sending this to a friend, and why? For a place, give us the details: where, when, how much, how to get in, and what kind of night to expect.
Send us your pitch
Send a short introduction, one or two story ideas, your New York connection, and your availability. Existing clips or work links are optional. Please don’t write a new article to apply.
Prefer email, or having trouble with the form? Email your pitch to info@spoiledmedia.com.
To get a feel for what we publish, read our guides and stories, or get to know us on the About page.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to be a professional writer?
No. You don’t need a journalism degree or clips from a big national outlet. Show us you know the story and can tell it well.
Can I pitch something other than an article?
Yes. Photo essays and GIF stories are welcome, and so are written pieces.
Can I write about something personal?
Yes. The breakup, the roommate, the first apartment: if it happened to you here, it counts. You can use a pen name, or publish anonymously.
Can I use AI to help with my work?
Write your own pitches and article prose, and verify the facts. AI may help with transcription, spelling, grammar, and organizing research.