News Decoder

Our publication process

News Decoder publishes stories of all forms — articles, podcasts, photo reports, audio recordings and documentaries — and styles. Your submission can be a reported story, a personal reflection essay or an artistic work, such as a poem or rap recording.

No matter the medium, our four-part publication process is the same: Pitch, Report, Draft and Revise. Professional journalists follow these four steps too! We strongly encourage you to complete each step in sequence, as this will greatly increase your chances of being published on our site.

Step 1: Pitch

Students must submit a 50 to 100-word pitch to us before beginning work on their first draft. A pitch captures the thrust of the story: it summarizes the topic and research and reporting strategy and indicates a deadline for submitting a first draft.
Submit a Pitch

Step 2: Report

Once you’ve submitted a pitch, a News Decoder editor will provide you with personalized feedback on your story idea and reporting plan. After receiving this feedback, you should conduct your research and reporting to gather the raw materials for your story. Take advantage of our reporting resources to gather compelling information efficiently and effectively.

Reporting Resources

Step 2: Report

Once you’ve submitted a pitch, a News Decoder editor will provide you with personalized feedback on your story idea and reporting plan. After receiving this feedback, you should conduct your research and reporting to gather the raw materials for your story. Take advantage of our reporting resources to gather compelling information efficiently and effectively.

Reporting Resources

Step 3: Draft

After you have conducted research and interviews, you’re ready to begin drafting. Drafting refers to the art of constructing a story, no matter the form. Read our drafting tips to make your work stand out.

Email the first draft of your work, a headshot and 50-word biography to submissions@news-decoder.com by your proposed deadline.

Drafting Tips

Step 4: Revise

After submitting your work, expect to work closely with an editor, who may ask you to make substantial changes to your story. It’s important to understand that the revision process is a crucial step in getting your piece published: your piece is unlikely to see the light of day if you’re not willing to work with an editor to improve it. Review our revision rules to familiarize yourself with the revision process.
Revision Rules

Step 4: Revise

After submitting your work, expect to work closely with an editor, who may ask you to make substantial changes to your story. It’s important to understand that the revision process is a crucial step in getting your piece published: your piece is unlikely to see the light of day if you’re not willing to work with an editor to improve it. Review our revision rules to familiarize yourself with the revision process.
Revision Rules
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Get Published