Who We Are
Secrets of the City is the daily digest of Twin Cities culture. We are a online magazine of commentary, reportage, arts, entertainment, fiction, humor, and all things local.
Before making your pitch, please remember that Secrets of the City is:
* Committed to a storytelling aesthetic; we value setting, characterization, plot, emotional and intellectual content.
* Humorous without being cynical. Skepticism is ok, though.
* About complex issues, real people, and exact locations.
Guidelines
Secrets of the City hosts several regular contributors. Each has established his or her unique voice regarding content of choice or area of expertise, even if that is self-proclaimed expertise. All contributors have loyal readers who understand their voice, or maybe don't, but love to read them just the same. Don't despair if you've never been published by us in the past, or anywhere else for that matter. We are always on the look-out for fresh perspective, unique angles, and new voices.
Features (700-2500 words)
Profiles, interviews, reports. While Secrets of the City is not out to out-scoop daily papers, our unique viewpoint and mission allow us to explore interesting and bizarre angles and tangents. Both serious and funny, we want to report stories truthfully-with the understanding that truth is frequently stranger than fiction. Stories need not be of local interest per se, but will have a relevance that will resonate with local readers and readers in far-reaching corners alike.
Fiction (700-5000 words)
Secrets of the City publishes short fiction when we get good stuff. Unfortunately, we can't pay for fiction right now. We're always looking for interesting and well-written stories, whether they be models of old-fashioned storytelling or quirkier pieces with a modern sensibility. Length is flexible, but bear in mind enjoying lengthy pieces online can be more difficult for some readers than reading the printed page. Be sure you are presenting us your most concise thoughts. Email attachments are preferable, although we'll also look at manuscripts that come through the door. Previous contributors include Stuart Dybek, Ron Carlson, Dawn Raffel, Bart Schneider, John Biguenet, Alicia Conroy, Alan DeNiro, and Kate DiCamillo.
Previews and Reviews (300-1000 words)
Secrets of the City departs from the usual mix of exhaustive and exhausting critical reviews of every CD, movie, book, and video game under the sun. Instead, we dedicate space to fewer longer pieces of thoughtful criticism about significant events and artifacts. Quality is the watchword here, not quantity. The more relevant a preview or review is, the more likely we are to be interested. In other words, if an up-and-coming artist has unique local ties, you'd want to highlight that.
What We Buy
We buy first worldwide serial rights, and ask that you not resell your article within 30 days of publication. After these 30 days, we retain non-exclusive, perpetual use in electronic medial. In other words, your work will remain permanently on our website, where we can feature it at will.
How to contact us
Currently we are accepting material from new writers very rarely. We do not make assignments but most likely will read what you submit. Any stories you do for us are "on spec". You may send them to us, but there is no promise to publish them.
About phone calls: unless it's amazing breaking news that absolutely can't wait, please don't. Thanks.
Please email editor [at] secretsofthecity [dot] com.
