Have you ever wanted to write for the Drummer? Do you have an idea for an article or monthly column you would like to pitch? Bonus: do you have a good potluck dish or dessert you would be willing to share?
If you answered yes to any of these questions, please consider joining us for the first-ever pitch potluck at the Drummer office on Tuesday, July 14 from 5:30-7:30 p.m.
The event invites all current and aspiring writers to pitch ideas for articles to Drummer staff. The only requirement for entry is an idea for an article, monthly column or a beat you would like to cover for the Drummer. If possible, we would also appreciate if you brought a dish, dessert or drink to share with fellow writers.
The Drummer is always looking for new writers to cover topics relevant to Granby readers, and we would love to feature new writers in upcoming issues or new columns from our veteran writers.
If you are unfamiliar with writing a pitch, here are a few tips:
Identify a gap in our coverage by browsing our online archives to see what stories we tend to publish and what we have not covered. We are always happy to add new writers to our existing coverage, but perhaps you could be the writer who covers a new beat for us?
Consider the who, what, when, where and why. Who or what is the article about? Who is the audience? How is the article relevant to Granby readers? What month would it be best to publish the piece? What genre category best describes your article: beat reporting with interviewed sources, op-ed, an interview or profile, local color or quirky Granby story, or a monthly column written with voice and personality?
You do not need an answer to all of these questions to attend the pitch potluck. In fact, you can come up with your pitch on the drive over to our office on July 14, or while you are standing in line to dish up your plate at the potluck. We want to hear your pitch at any stage, but it’s good to remember that the best Drummer articles have a clear sense of who, what, when, where and why.
Finally, give your pitch a headline. Use a strong active verb and try to entice the reader. Headlines can be funny, punchy and snappy. As one of my professors once told me, “the best headlines grab our attention, and the best writers keep it.”
Another good reason to practice writing your own headlines: it makes writers better self-editors. Writing headlines can help us unbury the lede and flesh out the heart of the article. As a writer myself, I know from experience that when I have trouble coming up with a good headline, it’s usually because my piece still needs editing.
To learn more about how you could write for your local newspaper, join us for the pitch potluck on July 14.