The annual “speed-dating” event for the magazine industry is back! PitchFest prepares freelance writers on the art of pitching before sending them into a (virtual) room with editors of Canada’s best magazines for a chance to sell their best stories.
Calling all freelance writers: Are you ready to swipe right on your next big byline? It’s time for PitchFest, the ultimate matchmaking event for Canadian magazine pros! Like “speed-dating” for magazine professionals, you’ll be pitching your story ideas to editors of the country’s top magazines.
Organized in partnership with Pandemic University, this virtual event is designed to help freelancers land paid assignments while helping magazines discover their next great stories.
Join online Friday, January 17, 2024: The 2025 Great Canadian Magazine PitchFest! 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM PST / 11:00 AM– 4:00 PM MST / (1:00 PM Eastern)
Please note, there will be a PitchFest Orientation: Monday, January 6, 11:00 – 11:30 AM PST / 12:00–12:30 PM MST / (2:00 PM Eastern) to get all your burning questions answered, brush up on your pitching skills, and gear up for the big day. After orientation, you’ll receive your personalized schedule of meetings for the day.
Cost: $100
Capacity: 35 writers
Register here. Anyone who registers for the January PitchFest will receive the recording of the December 9 Deconstructing the Pitch: How to Sell Any Story, Anywhere webinar
During the main event on January 17, you’ll rotate through virtual breakout rooms with editors you’ve selected during registration, each giving you 15 minutes to dazzle them with your ideas—or simply interview them about what they’re looking for in new issues. Plus, there’s a greenroom conversation to keep the vibe flowing between sessions.
Participating magazines include Maclean’s, Range, The Narwhal and Canadian Geographic, with new additions to be announced in the days to come. So stay tuned and get your pitches ready—your next big byline could be just a pitch away! Please see the regularly updated list of participating magazines here.
HOW TO REGISTER AND SELECT EDITORS
After registering, you’ll receive a password-protected link that includes:
- A Google Form to select which magazines you plan to pitch (deadline for completion is December 22, 2024)
- The virtual events’ access information (Zoom meeting ID and password)
- A tip-sheet for pitching to magazines
- The submission guidelines/requests from participating magazines.
ELIGIBILITY
The event is open to Canadian writers with varied professional experiences. Though we encourage writers with some experience with journalism and freelance writing etiquette, it’s not a requirement. All registrants will be provided professional training opportunities in preparation.
EDITOR AVAILABILITY
In the event that an editor can’t meet with everyone, we’ll curate their schedule based on their magazine’s specific mandate or immediate requests. To help, writers should fill out the optional fields about your top picks, topics of interests, and work experience. We’ll do our best to get you a block of time with every editor of interest, but can’t guarantee it.
Speaker & Host:
Omar Mouallem’s writing has appeared in dozens of titles across the globe, including WIRED, The Guardian, and Maclean’s, where he’s a contributing editor. His stories have been recognized by the National Magazine Awards, Best American Science and Nature Writing, and the Mindset Award for Workplace Mental Health Reporting.
Joyce Byrne is Alberta Magazine Publishers’ past President and an award-winning veteran of the Canadian magazine industry. She has led publishing, creative, marketing and sales teams and boards in Toronto, Edmonton and Calgary, and has worked on nearly every type of magazine, from literary to light industrial, with consumer, business, visual art, health and cannabis in between.
Visit here for more info and to register.
This webinar is part of the Strategies for Canadian Magazines webinar series brought to you by the Magazine Association of BC, Alberta Magazine Publishers Association, Magazines Canada and L’Association québécoise des éditeurs de magazines.
Funders
