Some Sample Feature Story Pitch Letters

Here's a pitch letter targeted to the style editor at the San Jose Mercury News:

Dear Editor:

With more and more color options in clothing stores these days, why are so many people still sticking with traditional black?

Fashion plays such a large role in our lives. In our society, we often judge people based on their appearance, and the fashion industry is always fighting to create new trends. Their goal, of course, is to sell as much product as possible, and one of their newest tactics is to mix and match as many new colors as possible.

But is the public buying this? I think not. When I walk around San Jose, I still see a good portion of the populace wearing black. And it's not just Goths and punks -- black is the color choice among all groups, no matter their age or ethnicity.

Why is black so popular? Is it simply because it matches every other color in the spectrum? I plan to find out. I'll plan to call you next week to see if you're curious as well, and if you'd be interested in my article, "What's So Basic About Black?"

Sincerely,

Here's a pitch letter targeted to Dog Fancy magazine:

Dear Editor,

As dog lovers, we all know the therapeutic effect our canine friends can have on both our physical and emotional health. This may be one of the reasons so many people share their homes with a canine companion. As medical researchers increasingly show what we already know to be true -- that having a pet around is good for your health -- dog owners all across America are sharing their dog's unconditional love with those who need it most.

Pet therapy dogs visit people in nursing homes, children's hospitals, psychiatric wards and other institutions. The interaction between dog and patient encourages healing, lowers blood pressure, and helps develop emotional relationships. Not only is this beneficial to patients, it is also a great way to strengthen the dog/owner bond.

My article will include the latest medical research on this topic, as well as interviews with people who have seen first-hand the benefits of a therapy dog. I will outline the basic requirements for getting involved in dog therapy, and provide contact information for some local and national pet therapy organizations, including PATS (Pet Assisted Therapy Services), a San Francisco Bay area organization.

I have been involved with pet therapy dogs for 15 years. Not only am I well-versed in this subject, it is dear to my heart.

Thank you for your consideration. I will contact you next week to see if you are interested in an article on therapy dogs.

Sincerely,

Here's one that's targeted to Access Magazine:

Dear Editor,

For one reason or another, certain sports teams at San Jose State seem to stay unknown. For the ice hockey team, the reason is obvious: they are not that good. Well, until this year.

So far this season, they are undefeated with an unprecedented four wins to their credit. The team is fired up and intends to continue its winning streak.

I propose an article on this year's hockey team, first to let students know that indeed there is a hockey team at SJSU and second to tell about the hard work and dedication needs to play collegiate hockey. I will speak with team members and the head coach to find out what the team is doing differently this year, and focus in on a couple of the players to show what life is like for a player during hockey season.

I'll call you next week to see if you are interested in an article like this for the next issue of Access.

Here's one targeted to the Spartan Daily:

Dear editor,

He will no longer have the green chair to slumber in before class, his books are leaving the shelves in the hands of his students, and he -- the man who couldn't care less about the occasional black ink marks across streaked across his forehead -- is saying goodbye to San Jose State.

Professor Roy Christman has taught at SJSU for 27 years as a part-time faculty member. He's gotten his points across in class through video, trivia questions, mini plays, unofficial museum trips, and a children's storybook. His only hope for his students is that he was able to help mold them into good citizens who will participate in their government.

Christman still has one more semester at SJSU before he packs his bags and heads to Pennsylvania, where he will care for his father and possibly teach at a local community college. To discover how this man, who decided at the age of 20 to "drift through life," instead came to California, taught at a prison, almost got arrested, and has for years encouraged his students to think politically, please give me a call at 408-123-1234.

Sincerely,