Now accepting submissions for articles.

Edgar's Media publishes long-form arts & culture writing rooted in the Midwest — work that takes artists, ideas, and audiences seriously. We cover the work, the context, and the people with depth and rigor. We accept pitches for written content and photo essays on a rolling basis. Submit your pitch to: submissions@edgarsmedia.com

Edgar’s does not accept submissions for Edgar’s Index.

  • A pitch is a brief proposal you send to an editor to suggest a story idea before writing the full piece. It's a sales pitch for your article.

  • Submit your pitch via email to submissions@edgarsmedia.com.

    Pitches should not be longer than 300 words. Your written summary should touch upon the items listed below. When you submit your pitch, include links to past articles, your website, or your CV.

    • The idea — one or two sentences. What is this piece about, specifically?

    • The angle — why this story, told this way, right now?

    • The form — feature, review, essay, interview? Approximate length?

    • Your access or authority — who are you talking to? What do you bring to this story?

    • Why Edgar's — how does this fit our editorial identity?

    • Long-form features and profiles on work that merits more than a paragraph

    • Critical reviews that are constructive, specific, and grounded in engagement with the work

    • Essays that connect regional practice to broader conversations

    • Critical reviews and essays should amplify Midwest connections

    • Reported pieces that follow a question somewhere unexpected

    • Writing that assumes an intelligent, curious reader (8th-grade reader, e.g., The New York Times)

    • Academic articles or articles laden with unexplained “art speak” jargon

    • Artwork or photography

    • Rumors or unsubstantiated commentaries

    • Authors should not profit from subjects or companies covered in their pitches or published articles

  • Voice

    Edgar's publishes writing with a point of view. We don't want false neutrality or hedged opinions. If you have a take, make it. If you're writing a review, review it.

    Tone

    The tone of your essay or review should be informed, constructive for the creatives, and accessible for our readers.

  • We are asking contributors to secure permissions for images at this time. Details will be provided upon acceptance of your pitch.

Pay Rates

Edgar's compensates every contributor, and we publish our rates so you know what to expect before pitching. We will confirm the fee in writing before you begin the project.

Writing Rates

  • Mini Critiques (100–300 words, newsletter): $100

  • Short Reviews (500–750 words, quarterly): $300

  • Featured Critiques (750–1,500 words): $500

  • Featured Articles (2,000–2,500 words): $750

Photo Essays: $500–$800

The fee for photo essays may vary based on:

  • The scope of the project

  • Licensing existing work or commissioning a new shoot

  • The number of images

  • Any travel or other expenses involved

What the Fee Covers

Edgar's acquires first print rights for the quarterly publication. Each fee also includes limited promotional use: you may see up to three images or excerpts, always credited, on our website, social media channels, and in our newsletter to promote the issue in which your work appears. We do not use contributors' work in paid advertising or merchandise, nor do we license it to anyone else without a separate agreement.

Payment Notes

We pay contributors as independent contractors within 30 days of accepting the final, edited content. If we assign a piece and do not run it, we pay a 30% kill fee.

Editorial Board

LEARN MORE.

We're looking for people, based in the Midwest, with deep knowledge of arts & culture who can help shape coverage, review pitches, and uphold our editorial standards.

Editorial board members may not hold governance roles with organizations that Edgar's regularly covers, or profit directly from coverage.