NEWSPAPER
A one-edition printed newspaper, written by friends.
A Message from the Editor
Hello Friends
I'm creating a new art piece titled NEWSPAPER, and I'd like your help and involvement. I'm inviting each of you to report on a topic of your choosing. Your contributions will be compiled into a single physical printed edition of a newspaper.
Getting Started
Over the next two weeks, think about a topic you'd like to report on. Write about something that interests you — something you think about often or want to learn more about. Consider this an opportunity to learn something new, go somewhere new, or ask somebody a question.
Your story should be self-contained and understandable without any prerequisite knowledge. Think of the audience as the general newspaper-reading public. Adult topics are acceptable. I'll be distributing copies to friends, colleagues, and family members, and will provide extra copies for you to share at your discretion.
Sections
Stories will be organized into five sections: LOCAL, LIFESTYLE, SPORTS, ENTERTAINMENT, and WORLD. I'm particularly interested in LOCAL reporting, but I'm open to hearing pitches for any section.
LOCAL
Reporting based on where you live or a story that affects a specific community or town. This could be anything about Los Angeles, or a story from another place like Joshua Tree or Napa.
SPORTS
Reporting on something that interests you in the world of sports. Think “Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel” or a sports version of “60 Minutes” — a deep-dive analysis on a particular moment, issue, or figure in a sport that fascinates you.
LIFESTYLE
Food, fashion, or cultural observations. Think of this as the “Culture” section. This could explore American culture, Los Angeles culture, or the culture of a specific group (like rollercoaster enthusiasts, for example).
ENTERTAINMENT
Books, movies, music, interviews, or reporting on anything in the entertainment sphere. I'm aware this is easy territory in the age of Letterboxd and Goodreads, but I strongly encourage gathering a primary source if possible. I'm open to pitches, but I want to emphasize reporting over opinion.
WORLD
Stories set outside of America that capture perspectives from other corners of the world.
A Note About Op-Eds
I want every piece to be a report, not an opinion piece. This is not a group Substack.
The Pitch
All stories must be pitched to me (Jack) in some form — a voicemail, brief phone call, or written paragraph. Your pitch should give me a general idea of what you'll be covering and how you plan to get it done. This conversation also allows me to provide editorial guidance or context.
Deadlines
Word Count
A typical Los Angeles Times article is 750 words. Your submission should be between 500 – 1,200 words.
Photos
Please submit at least one (1) photo to complement your piece, and up to three (3) photos. Include captions for each photo. I'll decide how photos are presented during the editing and layout stage. Since this is a free newspaper, copyrighted images are acceptable if you'd like to use them.
Timeline
I'm aiming to have the newspaper printed and released in mid-April 2026.
FAQ
Can I pitch multiple story ideas and we pick one together, or should I come with one solid pitch?
Up to you! I'm happy to help you choose from a few ideas, but ultimately I want you to write about a story that excites you most.
How long/detailed should the pitch be?
I'd like to know the general idea of who or what you're reporting about and your perspective. What are you trying to learn? What interests you about this particular topic?
If I'm writing about, say, a local restaurant or lifestyle trend, can I include my personal experience/perspective, or should it be objective throughout?
Both approaches are acceptable and up to you! I want to avoid op-ed-style arguments, but personal remarks and integration can be a great way to provide context and personality to your report.
Do ALL stories need interviews/primary sources, or is that just encouraged for certain sections?
It's heavily encouraged to obtain a knowledgeable source for your story.
Pitches & Assignments
Live-updating tracker — see who's pitching what. Feel free to mark what kind of Story you want to pitch.