Name of Publication: Straight Arrow News
Topic(s): Timely topics, local issues, national relevance, solutions journalism, original reporting
Rate: $500 for standard features (800–1,000 words); $750 for deep dives with in-depth sourcing
Deadline: Ongoing (accepting pitches year-round)
Name of Editor: Maggie Gordon – Senior Editor of Storytelling
Submit Via: Online Submission Form

What They’re Looking For:

Straight Arrow News is open to freelance writing pitches from skilled journalists and content writers who can make local stories matter to a national audience. They want fact-based, unbiased reporting that breaks down important, timely issues—whether it’s a state law that could impact the rest of the country, or a city’s public service failure (e.g., water quality, garbage collection, improper billing) that reflects a bigger problem nationwide.

They love solution-focused journalism, so don’t just report the problem—offer insights, examples, or proposed fixes. Pitches must include original reporting with at least three interviews for standard features, and more for deep dives.

Resources/Guides:

• Know the Style: Straight Arrow News prioritizes balanced, clear, fact-based reporting—no partisan bias.
• Read Their Work: Browse recent articles to understand their tone and scope.
• Solution Journalism: Look up examples of “solutions-focused” reporting for inspiration.

How To Get This Client:

If you want to land this high-paying journalism gig, you must think beyond your local borders. A story about Nairobi’s waste crisis might be interesting—but if you connect it to waste management issues in US cities or global climate challenges, that’s where Straight Arrow News pays attention.

Your pitch should:

1. Start with a strong, newsworthy hook that matters right now.
2. Prove national relevance—why should a reader 10,000 km away care?
3. Include sources you plan to interview (show them you can deliver).

📌 Pro Tip from Sure Media: This is where our Sure Media Training Program gives you the edge—our pitching framework has helped Kenyan writers land international clients like this one. We’ll show you how to identify angles editors love, so you don’t waste pitches on ideas that get ignored.