Our Voices
How and What to Pitch Weekend America
Weekend America is public radio's showcase of the most intriguing ideas, the most memorable stories, the most exciting events and the most fascinating people in America this weekend. Each of our stories is inventive, memorable, eyeopening, and exhibits a strong sense of place. Every story is inherently connected to the weekend it airs.
Independent and freelance contributors are vital to our production. We depend on you to reach into local communities and bring us stories our staff could never get. Whether you're taking the headlines home or reporting on a local issue, person, event or story of national significance, you know the place you live better than we do. Tell us what's happening there.
Weekend America's stories all have a few things in common: strong characters and narrative action; rich and detailed sound; vibrant, descriptive writing; and conversational, revelatory interactions on tape. We surprise our listeners with the most fascinating things actually happening at this moment somewhere in the geographic United States.
Before pitching us, give serious thought to how you're going to approach your story. We're open to a variety of treatments from reported features and nonnarrated montages to first-person essays and straight storytelling. We admire creative ambition and love unconventional storytelling methods. Our stories stand out from the usual public radio fare and the telling adds to, rather than detracts from, the story itself.
How to pitch us:
If you haven't worked with us before, pitch your story here. Otherwise, contact your editor for a log in to our web-based pitch application, Sir Pitch-A-Lot. Your editor will give you a
brief tutorial on how to use our system.
Pitches must include a title, a date when your story should run (and why), a description of your treatment of the story, and how long you think your piece should be. If you're new to us, please include a brief note about your background and why you're the best person to produce this piece. Also note that while we do have some room for quick-turn-around stories, the more advance warning you can give us, the better.
Pitches are discussed in our Wednesday editorial meeting. They must arrive by 10 am CDT to be discussed that Wednesday. An editor will get in touch with you shortly thereafter to let you know the status of your story. If accepted, your editor will work with you on deadlines, guidance and payment details.
