Publication: Vulture
Topics: Entertainment, Movies, TV, Streaming, Comedy, Music, Podcasts, Video Games, Pop Culture, Features, Lists, Interviews
Rate (USD): Up to $500 per article
Deadline: Rolling submissions
Editor: Varies by section
Submit Via: Email (see editor contacts below)
Vulture is accepting freelance pitches from writers with original, well-researched, and highly engaging ideas covering entertainment and pop culture. If you have a unique angle on film, television, streaming, comedy, music, podcasts, gaming, or the entertainment industry, this is an excellent opportunity to write for one of the internet’s most respected culture publications.
Editors want pitches that demonstrate deep subject knowledge, strong reporting, original insights, and a distinctive voice.
Understanding exactly what Vulture publishes will significantly improve your chances of getting commissioned.
What Vulture Wants
Before pitching, spend time reading Vulture regularly. Editors expect freelancers to understand the publication’s editorial style and audience.
Successful stories typically share several characteristics:
- Deep familiarity with the subject.
- Original reporting or fresh analysis.
- Thoughtful, measured perspectives rather than outrage-driven takes.
- Lively, engaging writing.
- Surprising insights or entertaining observations.
- A story that feels uniquely suited to Vulture rather than any entertainment website.
Editors also encourage writers to:
- Search Vulture before pitching to ensure the story hasn’t already been published.
- Check whether competitors have already covered the same angle.
- Keep pitches concise.
- Lead with a proposed headline.
- Clearly explain why readers should care.
- Highlight the key insight or hook.
- Include relevant writing samples demonstrating similar work.
- Explain any expertise or access that strengthens the story.
For interview-based stories, Vulture also wants to know how you plan to secure access to interview subjects.
Timeliness Matters
Vulture values stories connected to timely cultural moments.
While theatrical releases are obvious news pegs, editors also welcome ideas connected to:
- Streaming releases
- Anniversaries
- Celebrity deaths
- Cultural revivals
- Internet trends
- Industry developments
- Historical parallels
The stronger and more unexpected the timing, the better.
What Not to Pitch
Vulture specifically asks freelancers not to send:
- Reviews of new releases
- Basic celebrity Q&As or press-junket interviews
- Music or video premieres
- Profiles of A-list celebrities
- Satire or fiction
- Completed articles that weren’t commissioned
- Generic opinion pieces
- Broad “Why X matters now” essays
- Simple rankings without a compelling editorial angle
Editors also discourage pitches that could easily be recycled by replacing one celebrity or TV show with another.
Popular Formats Vulture Regularly Publishes
Freelancers are encouraged to pitch within Vulture’s established editorial formats, including:
- Chat Room interviews
- Reported features
- Role Call interviews
- Anonymous in Hollywood
- Below the Line industry stories
- Oral Histories
- Remember That Time
- Close Reads
- Niche Mysteries, Solved
- Personal Essays (high bar)
- Remembrances
Coverage Areas
Vulture commissions freelance stories across numerous entertainment beats.
Movies
Editors are looking for:
- Investigative reporting on the film industry
- Behind-the-scenes production stories
- Distribution and exhibition trends
- Movie ending explainers
- Screenwriter or filmmaker interviews
- Wednesday Night Movie Club essays
Television
Strong TV pitches include:
- Adaptation comparisons
- Finale explainers
- Fan theories backed by evidence
- Character studies
- Weekly recap proposals
- In-depth reporting on television production
Comedy
Comedy coverage should move beyond social media discourse.
Editors welcome:
- Original reporting
- Deep analysis of comedy trends
- Joke explainers
- Meme analysis
- Surveys featuring comedians
Lists & Recommendations
Vulture publishes both serious and humorous lists, including:
- Film rankings
- Director retrospectives
- TV recommendations
- Genre guides
- Funny rankings
- Curated watchlists
Editors value passion, expertise, and a unique editorial perspective.
Streamliner
This section focuses on helping readers navigate streaming platforms.
Ideas include:
- Streaming investigations
- Platform explainers
- Viewing guides
- Device reviews
- Streaming hacks
- Recommendations for niche services
Podcasts
Although freelance assignments are less frequent, editors still welcome:
- Podcast recommendations
- Investigations into major podcast stories
- Coverage of podcast industry controversies
- Interviews with podcast creators
Pitching Tips
To maximise your chances of getting accepted:
- Read Vulture consistently before pitching.
- Tailor every idea specifically for Vulture.
- Keep your email short and focused.
- Include a working headline.
- Explain why the story matters now.
- Highlight your expertise or reporting access.
- Link to relevant published work.
- Pitch quality ideas instead of sending large volumes of submissions.
Where to Send Your Pitch
Pitch the appropriate editor depending on your topic:
Movies
Melissa León
📧 melissa.leon@vulture.com
TV
Julie Kosin
📧 julie.kosin@vulture.com
Genevieve Koski
📧 genevieve.koski@vulture.com
TV Recaps
📧 TVrecaps@vulture.com
Nic Juarez
📧 nicolas.juarez@voxmedia.com
Comedy
Megh Wright
📧 megh.wright@nymag.com
Lists & Recommendations
Eric Vilas-Boas
📧 evb@vulture.com
Ray Rahman
📧 ray.rahman@nymag.com
Streamliner
Eric Vilas-Boas
📧 evb@vulture.com
Podcasts
Ray Rahman
📧 ray.rahman@nymag.com
Video Games
Emily Palmer Heller
📧 emily.heller@voxmedia.com
General Features
Megh Wright
📧 megh.wright@nymag.com
A well-targeted pitch backed by strong reporting and a distinctive perspective can open doors to one of the most recognised entertainment publications online.
