Pitches and Contributions
WikiWalls accepts freelance contributions across the eight verticals. The strongest pitches are tested, opinionated, and named. Send pitches with a one-paragraph thesis, a sample of similar published work, and your testbed or research approach. Rates start at $0.50 per word for service journalism, $5K-$10K for columnist pieces, $40K+ for Index research partnerships.
- What we want: tested comparisons, research-paper translations, named-pattern columns, opinionated takes with stance and accountability
- What we do not want: press-release rewrites, listicle filler, ChatGPT drafts, pitches without a thesis
- Pitch format: one paragraph thesis, two paragraphs of context, sample byline, testbed or research approach
- Rates: $0.50-$1.50 per word for service journalism, $5K-$10K per column, $40K+ for Index research partnerships
- Response window: 10 business days. We will not respond to pitches addressed to “team”
What we want
The pitches we accept fit one of five formats. If your idea does not fit one of these formats, the pitch is not a fit for WikiWalls.
| Format | What we want | What proves you can deliver it |
|---|---|---|
| Service journalism | Tested comparison or buyer guide. 1800-3500 words. Testbed disclosed, named reviewer (you), real data, verdict | A previous published comparison piece. Methodology page or testbed photo helps |
| Research-paper-as-story | Plain-language translation of an academic or industry paper. 1500-2500 words. Editorial take added in a labeled editor’s note | A previous research-translation piece. Academic background or beat reporting on the topic |
| Pattern-naming column | Operator-strategy or engineering-craft pattern you can define and defend. 1500-2500 words. You name the pattern; the editor sharpens the framing | Public writing under your own name with at least one named pattern that other writers have cited or used |
| Opinionated take | The Take desk: stance with named accountability on a recent move. 600-1200 words. Lands within 72 hours of the news cycle | A history of public takes that aged well. Beat reporting on the specific topic helps |
| Lived-experience essay | Long-form essay from a named senior practitioner. 3000-6000 words. Personal scenes, named patterns, IP | A previous long-form essay with measurable reach (citations, shares, quotes from peer writers) |
What we do not want
Pitches in any of these shapes get declined without further review.
We do not want: press-release rewrites, “ultimate guide to” listicle filler, ChatGPT-generated drafts, “I will write 10 articles for $X” mass offers, content with embedded affiliate links, guest posts that exist to land a backlink, sponsored content disguised as pitches, anonymized “team” submissions, pitches that show no reading of our editorial standards.
Pitch format
The pitch we want to read
- Subject line: “[Vertical] / [Format] pitch: [working title].” Example: “AI / Service journalism pitch: Best open-weight LLMs for RAG, tested at 5M tokens”
- Paragraph one: the thesis. What you are arguing or testing, in two sentences. Why it matters in one sentence
- Paragraph two: the context. What competitor coverage exists. Why your piece is different. The named pattern, the testbed, the verdict thesis
- Paragraph three: the proof. One or two sample bylines (linked). Your beat. Why you are the right person to write this
- Paragraph four: the logistics. Target word count, target delivery, testbed access, rate expectation, any conflicts of interest
- Attachments: none. We do not open attachments from first-time contributors. Send Google Doc or web link instead
Rates
| Work | Rate range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Service journalism, 1800-3500w | $0.50-$1.50 per word | Tier-1 contributor with track record: top of the range. New-to-WikiWalls but published elsewhere: middle. First time: floor |
| Research-paper-as-story, 1500-2500w | $1.00-$1.50 per word | Credentialed contributors at the top of the range |
| Pattern-naming column, 1500-2500w | $5K-$10K per column | Premium for recurring named-columnist franchises. Monthly or weekly contract; details in a separate columnist agreement |
| Opinionated take, 600-1200w | $250-$600 per piece | Fast-cycle pieces. Speed matters; we pay for it |
| Lived-experience essay, 3000-6000w | $1.00-$2.00 per word | Premium for the long-form franchise. Monthly slot |
| Index research partnership | $40K+ per Index | Lead researcher + methodology + named co-author. Detailed in a separate research agreement |
Editorial process
Pitch goes to [email protected]. Editor reviews within 10 business days. Accepted pitches receive an outline brief: title, target word count, schema requirements, testbed expectations, named reviewer for the comparison, sources required, deadline. Draft is reviewed against the four editorial tests. Second-editor fact-check on data-heavy pieces. Publication includes schema injection, internal-link sweep (5+ existing pieces link to the new piece), and social cards.
Rights and bylines
Bylines are the contributor’s. WikiWalls retains first-publication rights and the right to host the piece in the catalog indefinitely. Contributors retain the right to republish their piece on a personal site or newsletter 30 days after publication, with attribution and canonical link back. We pay on publication unless a separate contract specifies otherwise.
Last reviewed by WikiWalls editorial.