Write For Us

We commission explanatory journalism from writers who know their subject properly. If you can make a complicated thing clear without flattening it, we would like to hear from you.

What we are looking for

We publish pieces that explain how something works, why it happens, or what the evidence shows. The best pitches we receive identify a subject readers encounter constantly but understand only vaguely, and propose a clear way through it. Subject expertise matters more than a byline history.

We commission across all eight of our sections: World, Politics, Business, Technology, Sport, Health, Entertainment and Lifestyle.

What we do not publish

We do not accept guest posts submitted for the purpose of placing a link. We do not publish promotional content about a product or company, thinly disguised marketing, or articles written primarily for search engines. Submissions produced by automated text generation and presented as original work are rejected without response.

How to pitch

Send a short pitch to contribute@pressbbc.com including: the working headline, two or three sentences explaining the central argument or question, why it matters now, what sources or expertise you will draw on, and a brief note on your background. One or two links to previous work are helpful but not essential.

Please pitch rather than submitting a finished article. We would rather shape a piece with you than reject a completed one.

What we expect

Commissioned pieces generally run between 900 and 1,800 words. We expect claims to be attributable, statistics to be sourced, and uncertainty to be acknowledged rather than smoothed over. Writers must disclose any financial interest or professional relationship relevant to the subject.

All work is edited. We may suggest structural changes, and we will always show you the edited version before publication.

Terms

We pay for commissioned work, with rates agreed before writing begins and depending on length and complexity. Contributors receive a full byline and biography. We take first publication rights, after which rights revert to the writer.

We aim to respond to pitches within five working days.

Important: PressBBC is an independent publication. We are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected to the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) or any of its services in any way.