For many journalists, seeing their byline in The Atlantic is a dream. The outlet is highly respected and frequently awarded, and employs some of the country’s best writers. It activates important cultural conversations, produces impactful investigations and is often just plain fun to read.
The site is selective when it comes to accepting freelance pitches. While corresponding with senior editor Rachel Gutman-Wei, however, I was pleased to learn that attempting to land a great story idea at The Atlantic is not a dead-end task.
Gutman-Wei — who spoke on a panel I helped organize at Health Journalism 2026 in Minneapolis — tells freelancers not to be discouraged if their pitches are rejected. “Don’t be afraid to try again,” she said in AHCJ’s newest Market Guide for The Atlantic.
Still, as with really any publication, it’s critically important to tailor your pitches appropriately. One masterfully crafted and perfectly timed pitch about a little-known subculture or controversial trend will always win out over yet another half-baked idea that doesn’t understand an outlet’s audience or voice. (And sending the latter means risking an editor will block you once and for all.)
So if you’re a freelance journalist trying to crack The Atlantic, AHCJ’s Market Guide will help set you up for success. Here are some of its key takeaways:
Put the idea in context
In your pitch, go beyond “This is happening” and answer “What does it mean about our country or world?”
“Some of our favorite stories point out a trend that had been flying under the radar, reveal a new way of understanding a common phenomenon or put words to a common experience that has not yet been identified as such,” Gutman-Wei said.
Get your facts straight
Beyond simply telling editors that something is on the rise or that people believe something is true, back up any claim with evidence — whether it’s survey data, research or social media posts. Similarly, don’t just say that you will explore something; actually start exploring it and show what you’ve found.
Start small
The Atlantic is unlikely to assign investigative, legally sensitive pieces to journalists who haven’t previously contributed to the site. It’s also rare for new writers to land features, or what the outlet considers to be 3,000 words or more. Instead, aim to get your foot in the door with a timely, but not highly time-sensitive, story between 800 and 1,500 words.
Good luck!
