We’re interested in stories about people who are making a positive difference around the world, working on issues ranging from hunger and education to the rights of people with disabilities.
The charitable work of famous individuals such as Bono and Oprah Winfrey is well known. But we want to highlight the contributions of ordinary people who do extraordinary things. People such as this couple who built a library for a tiny fishing community in Ecuador. Or this genealogy detective who helps fill in Black family trees.
These profiles, approximately 1,000 words in length, should include an in-depth, in-person interview with the subject, as well as quotes from at least two “endorsers” who can vouch for how the person is making an impact. We’ll also want to learn why the individual is so passionate about his or her work as well as gain an understanding of the problem he or she is trying to solve.
To see examples of published People Making a Difference stories, visit https://www.csmonitor.com/World/Making-a-difference
How to pitch and follow up
Lydia Rebac is the coordinating editor who reviews pitches for People Making a Difference, though other Monitor editors also help edit the section. A list of these editors and their subject areas can be found under the "International news" and "National news" headings on the Contributor's guidelines page.
Pitches should be brief (no more than a paragraph or two) and focus on telling us why your story will interest readers around the United States and the world.
Payment
If you are a first-time contributor, we might ask to take your article “on spec,” which means you give us the opportunity to read your story before we decide whether to accept it. We generally pay $600 per article, with the possibility of also reimbursing some modest travel expenses or other costs. Any expenses should be agreed upon ahead of time.
All pieces must be original for the Monitor. We cannot accept stories that have been published elsewhere.