The continued goal of the North American Guild of Beer Writers is to support coverage of the beer industry while also increasing opportunities for our members.
Sometimes that’s networking events or seminars, or annual awards during the Great American Beer Festival. Three years ago, we also began our Diversity in Beer Writing Grants.
COVID-19 (coronavirus) continues to impact communities everywhere, including the beer world—and the media that covers it. In an effort to showcase the people and businesses that are finding new ways to survive, and to support journalists at a time when opportunities (and outlets) are shrinking, the Guild is establishing a new project called The Reporter’s Notebook.
This blog will act as a small way to capture stories from all over. In the coming months, it will publish short, original pieces of content based on pitches from any journalist—aspiring beginner or seasoned pro. The Reporter’s Notebook isn’t exclusively meant to capture stories of-and-around COVID-19, but with so many things changing every day, we recognize there are many stories that deserve to be told right now because of the pandemic.
Pitches can be submitted through this form, and do not need to be about COVID-19. We encourage everyone to share ideas for original stories. If you do have a story idea related to the COVID-19 response, as best you can please focus your pitch on novel or local story angles that haven’t already been told.
The blog isn’t a place where you’ll find breaking news, lengthy features, or reviews of beers or products. Here’s what we’re looking for:
- Quality reporting
- Tight interviews
- Personal essays
- Well-informed commentary
- Poignant narratives about small, striking moments
Again, anyone can pitch in the following areas by completing this form.
- Stories (300–500 words)
- Photo essays (3–5 pictures, 100–200 words)
- Video (60–90 seconds)
Contributors will be paid $50–$100 per post, depending on the content. Reporters are expected to fact-check, respond to edits, and follow AP Style. We’ll use the NAGBW social media channels to share stories as they publish. Member-at-large Ben Keene will serve as lead editor of The Reporter’s Notebook, with Guild director Bryan Roth offering planning support. We may not be able to respond to every pitch, but look forward to hearing from you.
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