Guide: How to Get Paid to Write for Type Media Center (and Similar Investigative Outlets)

Is there a system, policy, or power structure behind the story?

Good TMC stories don’t just say “this is sad” or “this is unfair”. They show:

• Which company, law, or institution is responsible.
• How money, race, gender, or class shape the problem.
• Who benefits and who is harmed.

Example: instead of “gig workers are struggling,” think: “how X delivery app quietly cuts pay in Y city using hidden algorithms.”

Can you prove it with reporting, not just opinion?

Investigative and explanatory journalism needs:

• Documents (contracts, court filings, public records, company memos).
• Data (government datasets, corporate reports, FOIA releases).
• Human sources (workers, residents, experts, officials).

If you cannot imagine who you would interview or which documents you would request, your idea may still be at the “op‑ed” stage, not Type Investigations level.

Is the angle specific, fresh, and narrow?

Type stories are usually narrower than beginners expect. They might zoom in on:

• One town or region.
• One company or program.
• One piece of legislation or one loophole.

Narrowing your focus lets you go deeper and gather real proof.

Your lede: one or two powerful opening paragraphs

The pitch should start like a story, not like a vague idea. Describe:

• A specific person, town, workplace, or incident.
• What is happening and why it feels wrong or surprising.
• Hint at the bigger system behind it.

This shows editors you understand storytelling, not just advocacy.

The “nut graf”: what your story will prove or reveal

After the lede, you write 1–2 paragraphs that clearly say:

• What you think is happening (your working hypothesis).
• Why it matters nationally or regionally.
• How it connects to Type’s beats (labor, climate, surveillance, etc.).

You are not just describing harm; you are proposing a testable story idea with evidence.

Evidence you already have (this is crucial)

Editors are looking for pitches that have moved beyond a Google Search. Show that you have:

• Talked to at least 1–3 potential sources (workers, experts, advocates).
• Collected or identified key documents, datasets, or court files.
• Verified basic facts like numbers, dates, and policy names.

The Type Investigations pitch guide emphasizes this: they need to see that your reporting is already underway.

Reporting plan: what you will do if they say yes

In a short section, explain how you would finish the story:

• Which institutions you will request documents from (governments, agencies, companies).
• Which communities you will visit or call.
• Any experts you plan to consult.
• Rough timeline (for example, 3–6 months of reporting).

This helps Type evaluate whether your plan is realistic and safe.

Your background and why you can do this story

You do not have to be famous, but you should show:

• Your connection to the issue or region (lived experience, language skills, networks).
• Any past reporting or organizing work you have done.
• Links to 2–5 of your best clips (reported pieces if possible).

You can also mention if you belong to communities under‑represented in mainstream newsrooms, as many TMC fellowships actively seek diverse reporters.

Scan the open opportunities

Go to typemediacenter.submittable.com/submit. You will usually see several options, for example:

• Ida B. Wells Fellowship (for early‑career investigative reporters).
• Other specialized fellowships or grants (topics may change by year).
• Occasional calls for story pitches or projects.

Click each to read eligibility, deadlines, and requirements.

Create your Submittable account and profile

When you click “Apply”, Submittable will ask you to log in or sign up. Use an email you check often. In your profile:

• Use your real name (or the professional name you want to publish under).
• Fill in basic contact info.
• Keep this account safe; it will store your submissions and responses.

Prepare the required materials in advance

Most TMC Submittable forms will ask for some or all of these:

• A project description or story pitch.
• A reporting plan or timeline.
• Your CV or resume.
• 3–5 clips (links or PDFs).
• A personal statement about your goals and background.

Do not start filling the form on deadline day. Draft your materials in a separate document, then paste or upload calmly.

Answer application questions clearly and concretely

For every free‑text box, imagine an editor asking: “How will this help us decide if you and this story are a good fit?” Be concrete:

• Use numbers when possible (how many interviews, what timeframe, what datasets).
• Name organizations, cities, and laws instead of saying “some groups” or “some places”.
• Explain your access (for example, “I have been organizing with X community for three years”).