My ideal pitch, in this order, is:. 1. Sample hed/dek: if you can't figure this out, you have a topic not a story.2. Nut graph: The 5 W's, emphasis on the WHY ARE TELLING THIS STORY NOW (superlatives, global appeal, new take, timely news, etc). 3. Bio/clips. That's it.

Anyhoo, email starlight.williams@natgeo.com (the only place I will ever consider pitches) with care. My previous tweets about pitches sans travel still apply. TL;DR pitch me cool stuff.

5. Be honest with yourself. If your writing skills still need development (no shame/shade) or you have to bend over backward to make your pitch make sense. save us both time and leave me be.

Now if you made it this far. here's how to pitch: 1. Google the topic and see what current stories are out there. How will yours be different. 2. Sample hed/dek: Match our style. Prove you know what your story is about. 3. Nut graph/The 5 W's. 4. Source ideas/research.

I love vibes. Still can't commission them tho. I need fleshed out story ideas. These science/health pitches need peer reviewed scientific research, reputable data, scholarly insight. etc.

Does it connect to the reader’s body, identity, behavior, or daily life? Is it the first, oldest, biggest, rarest, or only of its kind? What will the reader learn, feel, or understand differently by the end? Are there stunning images that support the story?.

Question you should ask yourself: Does the idea highlight something weird, unexpected, or counterintuitive? Is there a twist that challenges assumptions or reveals something new?.

I am always accepting pitches. I specialize in health, credible wellness/fitness trends, and odd and/or this is not the first time in history pieces. Prioritize timely, widely relevant stories over evergreen or super-niche topics.

RT @angxlmartinez: in my first (!!!) for @NatGeo, i ask what corporate jargon is even for, as inspired by lumon's workplace lingo ⭐️ thanks….

RT @star_lightw: Not so gentle reminder: include the data/studies you should be referencing in your pitch. telling me you plan to talk to….

RT @KalpanaSunder: Chuffed with the byline. My story on retro or backward walking as exercise. Fitness fad or useful hack? .Thanks @star_li….

RT @alyssajaffer: I’m now published in @NatGeo! What a dream. Check out my new article breaking down the science behind #sleepmaxxing! . ht….

Not so gentle reminder: include the data/studies you should be referencing in your pitch. telling me you plan to talk to an expert about your hopes and dreams for an article is not enough.

Sorry y'all. to clarify the ideas that I have suggested are stories we have already done and have done well for us. Hence the *note near the end of the thread. I'm looking for stories that match this energy, not specifically these stories tho.

RT @amytravels: My first story for @AFARmedia magazine! In our mostly digital world, it's nice to see my byline in print for a change. But….

Looking forward to all the joy and chaos y'all bring to my inbox in 2025. Email: starlight.williams@natgeo.com .Fun fact: 98% percent pitches sent to my social media accounts disappear in the void. Never to be seen or answered.

Now if you made it this far. here's how to pitch: .Sample hed/dek: Match our style. Prove you know what your story is about. 2. Nut graph: The 5 W's, emphasize WHY ARE TELLING THIS STORY NOW (superlatives, global appeal, new take, timely news, etc). 3. Bio/clips That's it.

TL;DR I'm looking for the stories you talk to your friends about over dinner/things that make you ask. why, how, whaaa?! Science-driven, researched backed, holy cow that's freakin cool stories. *please confirm we've not already covered your angle or smthng similar b4 pitching.

–Obscure but I'm willing to fight for it: the ancient origins of zodiac signs/ the real history about XYZ blockbuster hit/supernatural-paranormal-weird history.

–Health trends: Infrared saunas/dense bean salads/balkan diet/pre-workout/led light therapy.–I wonder stories: What do you mean you don't have inner monologue/i wonder what cats think about/how do lost dogs find their way home/i wonder what the best position to sleep in is.

–Health explainers: how does X affect the mind/body?/ what do you mean strokes are on the rise?/food noise is a thing?/seriously, what is cortisol? dense breasts?.–Health debunkers: indicas and sativas are the same?!/sugar doesn't make kids hyper? I can't sweat out toxins?.