First, take a peek at the site and get a feel for our tone and rhythm. Hard Copy lives somewhere between a blog and an online magazine: smart but snackable. We publish a mix of personal essays, cultural commentary, and reported pieces that linger on ideas rather than headlines.

If you have pitches under consideration elsewhere, that’s fine! Just let us know so we don’t fall in love with a story that’s already spoken for.

Lead time: Our publishing timeline is about 1–2 months. We’re not chasing the news cycle — we’re chasing meaning. We care about what’s at stake, what it says about us, and why it matters on a human level. Please pitch a story, not just a topic. (“Millennial burnout” is a topic; “Why my digital detox failed after 36 hours” is a story.)

How to Pitch

Please email editor@hardcopy.online. We do not accept pitches via DM, carrier pigeon, or interpretive dance.

In your subject line, include the pitch type (“Personal Essay,” “Reading List,” “Reported Feature,” etc.) and the proposed theme.

Keep your pitch in the body of the email (no fancy PDFs necessary), and attach or link to at least two samples of previously published work.

It’s important to know that we do not accept the use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) in any writing we publish.

What to Expect

We’re a small but mighty team, and our inbox is a little like the Hydra: for every pitch we respond to, two more appear. We unfortunately can’t confirm receipt of submissions, and we typically only respond if we’re interested in moving forward. We encourage you to pitch elsewhere simultaneously!

At this time, we don’t publish poetry, fiction, or visual art. We love all three, but they’re not in our editorial mix right now.

If Your Pitch Is Accepted

If your piece is commissioned, the editor will reach out with a contract outlining the story direction, fee, deadline, and rights.

We pay $250–$500 CAD for reported stories, depending on length and depth. We pay Net-5, though in most cases, payment is processed the same day your story goes live.

Every article is rigorously fact-checked. Please be prepared to share sources, data, and contact info for interviewees.

Our editor approaches every piece with curiosity, care, and collaboration. Expect at least one or two rounds of thoughtful editing — the goal is to shape your story into something we’re both proud of.